Indian Army Explores 360-Degree Appraisal System for Personnel Performance Reviews

The Indian Army is considering a significant shift in its performance appraisal system, potentially adopting a "360-degree appraisal" method that would incorporate feedback from peers and subordinates.

This move aims to provide a more comprehensive assessment of personnel performance, aligning with practices used for civil servants' empanelment in higher-ranking positions.

Currently, the Army adheres to a three-tier hierarchical model for appraisals. The process begins with the initiating officer (IO), the immediate superior, writing the Annual Confidential Report (ACR). This report is reviewed by two senior officers in the reporting structure.

This system applies to both Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), and commissioned officers, with the Chief of Army Staff as the senior reviewing officer for Major Generals. The Indian Air Force follows a similar approach.

However, the proposed 360-degree system would involve two potential models:

1. Reciprocal Feedback Model: This model, already adopted by the Navy, includes reciprocal feedback from subordinates to their IO, online feedback from randomly generated peers and subordinates before selection boards, and direct online input to Naval headquarters regarding leadership qualities.
2. Peer Group Perception Model: This model focuses on gathering feedback from peers, similar to the current system in various Armed Forces training establishments where officers are assessed by coursemates and contemporaries.

The Army has sought feedback from its Commands on the feasibility of both models. Data collected through this system could offer a detailed appraisal of individuals, including their general repute and integrity.

While the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has denied using a 360-degree appraisal system for civil servants, a 2017 parliamentary panel report revealed the inclusion of multi-source feedback (MSF) from various stakeholders in the revised guidelines for empanelment. The same report, however, criticized the 360-degree appraisal system as "opaque, non-transparent, and subjective."

This exploration of a 360-degree appraisal system by the Indian Army signifies a potential transformation in how military personnel are evaluated, emphasizing a more holistic and comprehensive approach to performance assessment.