India, Dec. 10 -- The Maharashtra education department is at the centre of an escalating debate following a series of appointments of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers to senior posts traditionally held by officers from the education service. The controversy intensified after IAS officer Trigun Kulkarni was appointed director of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (SSC-HSC Board) on November 18. The appointment prompted senior education officials to approach the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) on November 22, challenging the decision.

The state school education system is managed through eight directorates-primary education, secondary education, the Maharashtra State Council of Educ...