Seniority in Government Service – Frequently Asked Questions

Seniority in Government Service – Frequently Asked Questions

Seniority in Government Services is an important factor in terms of promotion to higher posts. Recently, DOPT has issued a comprehensive Clarifications on various issues un-answered so far, in the form of Frequently Asked Questions.

DoP&T’s File No. 20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11th November 2010

1. From which date the various provisions of consolidated instructions on seniority applicable?

Answer: Unless specifically, otherwise provided against each instruction, the said instructions are effective from the date of the relevant O.M. by which they were issued, prospectively.
2. Unless specifically, otherwise provided against each instruction, the said instructions are effective from the date of the relevant O.M. by which they were issued, prospectively.
Answer: The instructions on seniority issued vide DOP&T’s O.M.No.20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.2010 are applicable in determination of seniority of the Government servants in Central Civil Services and Civil Posts except such Services and Posts for which separate principles have already been issued or may be issued by the Government.
3. Whether the instructions on seniority issued by DOP&T are applicable to PSUs/Autonomous Bodies/Banks etc.?
Answer: No. The seniority of the officers working in PSUs/autonomous bodies/ organisations /banks are governed by regulations/instructions issued by concerned Administrative Department/ PSUs/banks etc.
4. How the seniority of all direct recruits is determined?
Answer: The seniority of direct recruit is in the order of merit in which they are selected for appointment on the recommendations of UPSC or other selecting authority. The persons appointed as a result of earlier selection being senior to those appointed on subsequent selection. O.M.No.20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.2010
5. Whether the seniority of direct recruits is determined by the date of confirmation?
Answer: No. The relative seniority of direct recruits that used to be determined earlier according to date of confirmation and not original order of merit (in cases where confirmation was in an order different from order of merit indicated at the time of their appointment) has been discontinued with effect from 4.11.1992. O.M. No. 20011/5/90-Estt. (D) dated 04.11.1992
6. How will the inter-se seniority be fixed if a direct recruit officer joins late ?
Answer: Seniority in such cases will be determined according to O.M. No. 9/23/71-Estt.(D) dated 06.06.1978 and O.M. No.35015/2/93-Estt.(D) Dated 09.08.1995
7. How seniority of candidates of two different panels is determined, in case both the panels are received on the same date?
Answer: The seniority of candidates of two different panels received on the same date is determined by the following procedure: (i) Chronology of recommendation letter; (ii) Where the date of recommendation letter is same, chronology of Interview Board reports and (iii) Where both (i) and (ii) are also same, then the chronology of requisition made by the respective Ministries/Departments. O.M. No. 20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.2010
8. How seniority of candidates is determined in case two results of recruitment through examination are announced for selection to same grade or post within the same year?
Answer: The seniority of the candidates will be determined as per date of publication/announcement of result. The candidate of the result announced earlier shall be senior to the candidate of the result announced later.
9. How the seniority of the promotee officer is determined?
Answer: The inter-se seniority of a officer promoted on the basis of the recommendation of a DPC either by selection or non-selection method as per due procedure, shall be determined as in the feeder grade from which they are promoted. O.M. No. 20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.2010
10. How seniority of a promotee officer is determined in cases where more than one feeder grade is prescribed for promotion to the higher grade and specific quotas are given?
Answer: In such cases, the officer in each grade assess a fit by the Departmental Promotion Committee shall be interpolated in the ratio prescribed in each grade in the Recruitment Rules for the post, for the purpose of determination of seniority(principle of rota quota).
11. In such cases, the officer in each grade assess a fit by the Departmental Promotion Committee shall be interpolated in the ratio prescribed in each grade in the Recruitment Rules for the post, for the purpose of determination of seniority(principle of rota quota).
Answer: Yes. A SC/ST Government servant on promotion by virtue of rule of reservation roster will be entitled for consequential seniority. O.M. No. 22011/1/2001-Estt.(D) 21.01.2002
12. Can a General/OBC category Government servant promoted through a later DPC regain his seniority of the feeder grade on promotion to higher grade?
Answer: No. A General/OBC category officer promoted through a later DPC will be placed junior to the SC/ST category Government servant promoted through earlier DPC even though by virtue of rule of reservation. O.M. No. 22011/1/2001-Estt.(D) 21.01.2002
13. What is co-relation between seniority in a grade and reservation roster for other grade? (Whether a candidate is placed in the seniority list of a grade, as per his position in the reservation roster or viceversa?)
Answer: There is no co-relation between seniority in a grade and the reservation roster for the said grade. Seniority of an officer is determined as per order of merit given by UPSC or selecting authority or panel of promotion given by DPC. A reservation roster/points are meant only for identifying the vacancy that goes to a particular category of officer.
14. How the relative seniority of direct recruit and promotee is determined?
Answer: The relative seniority of direct recruit and promotee is determined according to rotation of vacancies between available direct recruits and promotees which is based on quota of vacancies reserved for direct recruitment and promotion respectively in the recruitment rules. O.M. No. 35014/2/80-Estt.(D) dated 07.02.1986
15. How year of availability in regard to determination of relative seniority of direct recruits and promotee is determined?
Answer: The year of availability, both in case of direct recruit as well as promotee, for the purpose of rotation and fixation of seniority is actual date of appointment after declaration of result/selection and completion of pre-recruitment formalities, as prescribed. The year of availability is a vacancy year in which a candidate of a particular batch of selected direct recruitment or an officer of a particular batch of promotee joins the post/service. O.M. No. 22011/1/2006-Estt.(D) dated 03.03.2008
16. Is a candidate appointed against the carry forward vacancy of earlier recruitment year, allow the seniority of the year in which the vacancy arose?
Answer: No. The seniority of direct recruits and promotees is delinked from the vacancy and year of vacancy. O.M. No. 35014/2/80-Estt.(D) Dated 07.02.1986
17. What is the starting point in the recruitment roster for the purpose of inter-se seniority of officers through direct recruitment, promotion, absorption etc.
Answer: What is the starting point in the recruitment roster for the purpose of inter-se seniority of officers through direct recruitment, promotion, absorption etc.
18. What is the starting point in the recruitment roster for the purpose of inter-se seniority of officers through direct recruitment, promotion, absorption etc.
Answer: The seniority of an Officer absorbed after being on deputation or absorbed directly without being on deputation, If he has been holding already (on the date of absorption) the same or equivalent grade on regular basis in his parent department, is determined from the date he has been holding the post on deputation or the date from which he has been appointed on a regular basis to the same or equivalent grade in his parent department whichever is earlier. The fixation of seniority in aforesaid manner, however, will not effect any regular promotion to the next higher grade made prior to the date of such absorption. O.M. No. 22011/1/2000-Estt.(D) Dated 27.03.2001
19. How seniority of two or more surplus employees of a particular grade in an office determined in the event of their simultaneous selection for re-deployment in another office?
Answer: In this case, inter-se seniority in particular grade, on re-deployment in the latter office, would be the same as it was in the previous office. O.M. No. 9/22/68-Estt. (D) Dated 06.02.1969
20. How seniority of a reemployed officer determined?
Answer: For determination of seniority of re-employed officer is treated as direct recruit. Where Recruitment Rules of the post against which appointment is being made prescribed re-employment as a distinct mode of recruitment .then The inter-se seniority of persons so re-employed shall be determined in accordance with order of selection. The relative seniority of persons so re-employed in relation to direct recruits and promotees shall be determined: Where the Recruitment Rules prescribes specific quota for each of the categories (direct recruitment, promotion and reemployment) then seniority is determined on the basis of rotation of vacancies based on the said quota. In other cases, on the basis of chronology of selection. O.M. No. 20011/3/80-Estt(D) Dated 16.06.1980
21. How the seniority of a meritorious sports person appointed in relaxation of Recruitment Rules determined?
Answer: Where sportsmen are recruited through the Employment Exchange or by direct advertisement and are considered along with other general category candidates, they may be assigned seniority in the order in which they are placed in the panel for selection. Where recruitment to a post is through a selection made by the Staff Selection Commission, whether by the competitive examination or otherwise, the sportsmen recruited in the department themselves should be placed en bloc junior to those who have already been recommended by the Staff Selection Commission. The inter se-seniority of sportsmen will be in the order of selection. O.M.No.14015/1/76-Estt.(D) dated 4.8.1980
22. How the seniority of a person appointed on compassionate grounds is determined?
Answer: A person appointed on compassionate ground in a particular year is placed at the bottom of all the candidates recruited/appointed through direct recruitment, promotion etc. in that year, irrespective of date of joining of candidate on compassionate appointment. O.M. No. 20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.2010
23. A person appointed on compassionate ground in a particular year is placed at the bottom of all the candidates recruited/appointed through direct recruitment, promotion etc. in that year, irrespective of date of joining of candidate on compassionate appointment. O.M. No. 20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.2010
Answer: The seniority of persons selected for appointment to different posts in the same grade requiring different qualifications is determined as per provisions of para 4.9 of O.M. No. 20011/1/2008-Estt.(D) dated 11.11.2010

Amendment to Recruitment Rules for scientific posts

Amendment to Recruitment Rules for scientific posts

Modified FCS for Scientists based on 6th CPC recommendations issued in this Department's OM of even number dated 10.9.2010. It has been laid down that assessment of Scientists from 1.1.2011 shall be done according to the revised provisions of the scheme.

Accordingly, all the Ministries and Departments were advised to initiate action for review of the provisions of FCS and amend their recruitment rules to bring the scheme in their organization in conformity with the guidelines of DOPT.
The proposal for amendment of the RRs for incorporating the revised scheme have not been received from most of the Scientific Ministries and Departments. The revised guidelines have been issued in September 2010 giving sufficient time for the Ministries and Departments to take action for amendment of the RRs. The guidelines of DOPT issued earlier make it clear that the promotions under FCS shall be from a prospective date only after the competent authority has approved the same.

Under the circumstances, action should have been taken by now to amend the RRs so that assessment of Scientists could be carried as per the revised Scheme.
Accordingly the Ministries and Departments are advised to take immediate action in this regard to amend the RRs so that assessment of Scientists could be carried as per the revised Scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions on Flexible Complementing Scheme

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS)

These are Frequently Asked Questions compiled by DOPT, which are relating to Flexible Complementing Scheme

Point of doubt	Clarification
Q1. What is Flexible Complimenting Scheme (FCS)?	Ans: FCS is an in-situ promotion scheme for scientists for which the criteria shall be proven merit and records of research. FCS as modified after 6th CPC recommendations is governed by DOPT OM No. AB 14017/37/2008-Estt. (RR) dated 10.09.2010.
Q2. What are the guidelines on FCS issued by DOPT	Ans: DOPT after 5th,CPC issued comprehensive instructions on FCS in OM No.2/41/97-PIC dated 9.11.98. These have been further reviewed in the light of 6th CPC instructions and modified FCS guidelines issued in OM NO. AB 14017/37/2008-Estt.(RR) dated l0th September, 2010
Q3. To whom the instructions are applicable?	Ans: FCS is applicable to scientists and technologists holding Group A scientific posts in scientific and technology departments and who are engaged in scientific activities and services.
Q4. What are the qualifications covered under FCS?	Ans: Master’s degree in Natural/Agricultural Sciences or Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Technology/Medicine.
Q5. Whether qualifications MCA, M.Sc.(IT), M.Sc.(Statistics), M.Sc.(Mathematics),M.A.(Operational Research) and M.Sc.(Total Quality Management) are covered under FCS?	Ans: No.
Q6. From when the modified FCS after 6th CPC shall be applicable?	Ans: Assessment of Scientists from 01.01.2011 shall be done as per modified FCS after 6th CPC.
Q7. Whether promotion cases of Scientists becoming due w.e.f. 1.1.2011 may be processed as before or amend the RRs according to the latest guidelines.	Ans: The RRs are required to be amended as per the instructions.
Q8. What is the date of effect of MACP scheme for scientists under FCS ?	Ans: 10.09.2010 when the revised instructions have been issued.
Q9. Whether the benefit of MACP shall be admissible if the officers could not be assessed for promotion under FCS due to various reasons viz. non-convening of assessment Boards on time, RRs becoming inoperative, etc.	Ans: If Scientists have not got promotion under FCS, for whatever reasons, they shall be eligible for financial upgradation under the MACP scheme. The benefits shall be from 10.09.2010 when the revised FCS instructions have been issued
Q10. Whether the Scientists who are “screened-in” will have to appear for the interview in the second stage of screening /assessment under Modified FCS after 6th CPC?	Ans: The interview of the scientists as per OM dated 9.11.98 in the second level of screening shall continue under the revised assessment procedure for FCS issued in OM dated 10.9.2010.
Q11. What would be the role of ACRs/APARs in promotion of Scientists under Modified FCS?	Ans: ACR/APAR grading shall be taken into account for the purpose of screening the Scientists at Level I.
Q12. Will there be any weightage of ACRs/APARs in terms of marks in promotion of Scientists under MFCS?	Ans: In Annexure I of guidelines dated 10.9.10, it has been clearly indicated that the Scientists who meet the benchmark of `Good’ for Scientists C and `Very Good’ for Scientists `D’ and above would be screened in.
Q13. What is the procedure to be followed for assessment, considering the specific role of ACRs/APARs, Annual Work Report and interview?	Ans: The ACR/APAR grading shall be taken into account for the purpose of screening the Scientists for Level II Screening. The Annual Work Report is to capture the scientific content of work performance. The Assessment Board is required to examine the specific content of the work done justifying the merit for consideration under FCS. The procedure to be followed has been detailed in Annexure I of OM dated 10.09.10.
Q14. Whether the Benchmark of “Good”/ “Very Good” is based on relevant period of AWRs for the same period?	Ans: For the purpose of screening the benchmarking shall be based on ACRs/APARs of the relevant period
Q15. Whether the procedure of assessment by the DPRC shall continue as before?	Ans: For promotion of Scientists to the grade of Scientist `F’ and `G’, the procedure of assessment by the DPRC shall continue as before.
Q16. The stipulation in Part C of the Annual Work Report can be applied among the Scientists working in the same peer group which has a fairly large number of Scientists. How this can be applied when there could be a single or only 2-3 scientists working on a particular project or when scientists are working on different projects?	Ans: Part C of the Annual work Report shall consist of the internal Peer assessment even if the number of scientists being considered is single or only small number. For this purpose while the grading may not be possible, the entries on innovative content of the work done, highlights of the S&T content of the work done, etc. shall be considered.
Q17. Whether the Ministries/ Departments can have a common format for APAR?	Ans: In Annexure I to the OM dated 10.9.2010 it is prescribed that the new format on Annual Work Report will not replace the regular system of recording ACR/APAR and would be filled up by the officer. As such the format for the ACR/APAR shall be as prescribed by DOPT from time to time.
Q18. Whether the autonomous institutes can modify the ACR format to suit their specific requirements/job profiles. If so whether before doing so, consultation with the administrative Ministry/DOPT is necessary	Ans: The organizations where FCS is applicable as per scheme of DOPT shall follow the instructions accordingly. For major deviations from the guidelines reference to DOPT with full justification shall be necessary

Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) for Central Government Employess

Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS)  for Central Government Employess

8. Major impact reported during the financial year (if any) for work

done during previous three years.

9. Scientific and technological methodologies used in the work

function

10. Suggestions (if any) for work functions based on new or

emerging scientific principles

11. New technologies if any introduced by the officer in work plan/

functions

17

12. Any other highlight of special S&T content in the work

13. One page summary of the scientific and technical elements in the

work done during the financial year

14. Quantified S&T outputs as per the selected indicators (as

annexed)

Signature of the officer reported upon

Part-B

ASSESSMENT BY THE REPORTING AUTHORITY

1. Accuracy of the S&T work report

a. Generally accurate

b. Modifications needed (please specify)

2. Scientific merit of the work done

1-10% 10-33% 33-50% 50-75% Bottom 25%

3. Short summary of the innovative content of the work done

4. General assessment of the scientific work report (in brief)

5. Final grading

1-10% 10-33% 33-50% 50-75% Bottom 25%

Signature of the Reporting Officer

18

Part-C

INTERNAL PEER GROUP REVIEW REPORT

1. Grading of the S&T content of work reported

2. Specific Innovation elements recognized

a)

b)

c)

3. Relative Assessment of the work reported vis-vis Peers in the area

Top 10% 10-33% 33-50% 50-75% Bottom 25%

4. Assessment of the work done during the residency period

5. Specific highlights of the S&T content of the work done

6. Overall grading of the S&T work report for the residency period

Top 10% 10-33% 33-50% 50-75% Bottom 25%

Signatures of the Members of the Peer Group

19

Annexure

(to Annual Work Report)

1. Lectures delivered in universities/seminars/ industry meets

a. Enrolled

b. Invited

2. Books edited or written

3. Research publications

4. State- of –the Art Reports prepared on the subject handled or otherwise

5. Annual reports prepared

6. Internal reports generated

7. New S&T areas/ gaps identified for enlarging the scope of the existing

schemes

8. New S&T identified and nurtured and S&T inputs added to ongoing

schemes

9. Data bases prepared for scientific handling of the projects

20

10. Scientific and evidence-based initiatives taken to enlarge the

infrastructure base of research and development across the country

11. Identification of New Areas for demonstration of technologies and

follow-up

12. Project Monitoring Parameters evolved and deployed

13. Technology intelligence/ assessment report prepared for S&T

14. S&T inputs provided to inter-Ministerial discussions in various

committees

15. Number of projects scientifically evaluated for closure during the year

16. Networked Programmes initiated (please give numbers and salient

features of your contribution)

a. Between lab to lab

b. Lab and industry

c. Bilateral

d. Multilateral

17. Policies/ Bills prepared during the year

18. Awards/ Membership of Institutions/ Academies

19.

*****
http://circulars.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/AB-14017_37_2008-Estt-RR.pdfOthers (please specify)

GRANT OF 3rd FINANCIAL UPGRADATION TO STENOGRAPHERS - CLARIFICATION

GRANT OF 3rd FINANCIAL UPGRADATION TO STENOGRAPHERS - CLARIFICATION

No. 22/22/2009-CS.I (CR)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Mkt.
New Delhi, dated the 12th April, 2010.

  

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

  

Subject: Grant of financial upgradation under the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme.

  

               In supersession of this Department's O.M. of even number dated 12th January, 2010, the undersigned is directed to say that it has been further clarified by Establishment (D) Assistants/DR Grade 'C' Stenographers who have got Non-functional grade (NFG) in the grade pay of Rs.5400/- would only be entitled for 3rd financial upgradation in the immediate higher grade pay of Rs.6600/- on completion of 30 years of continuous service or on completion of 10 years stagnation in a single grade pay, whichever is earlier.. No further financial upgradation would be admissible to such officials.

  

All the cadre/sub-cadre authorities are requested to deal with such cases accordingly.

  

(M.C.Luther)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

  

To
1. All Ministries/Departments of Government of India DS(Admn./Estt)
2. NIC for uploading in web-site of the Ministry 'What is New'
3. Copy for information to Estt(D) w.r.t their Note No.79(2275)/US(Estt.D)/2010 dated 10.03.2010

MACP Scheme for Group B, C and D employees of IITs

MACP Scheme for Group B, C and D employees of IITs

MACP scheme for Group B, C & D employees of IITs.
F.No. 17-8/2009-TS.I
Government of India
Ministry of Human Resource Development
Department of Higher Education
Technical Section -I
*****

Shastri Bhawan, New DeIhi
Dated 5^th July, 2010

To
The Director,
Indian Institute of Technology,
Delhi, Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Roorkee and Guwahati

Subject: MACP Scheme for Group B, C and D employees of IITs.

Sir,

      I am directed to say that the Government has decided to put in place an MACP scheme for Group B, C & D employees of IITs. The salient features of the scheme will be as follows:-

(i)       MACP as introduced by Govt. of India will come into effect in IITs w.e.f. 01.09.2008 with provision for financial upgradation in the same manner as provided in the MACP of the Government of India without any modification whatsoever.

(ii)       RCPS will remain in force upto 3 1/08/2008.

(iii)       The financial upgradations already availed under RCPS would be taken into account while allowing any upgradation under MACP.

(iv)       Separately however, the IITs may consider amending their Recruitment Rules for various categories of posts to provide for vacancy based promotions. Recruitment Rules for each category of post providing for promotion at each level may be got approved by respective Boards.

(v)       Financial upgradations as per the MACP scheme will be followed and no upgradation to a Grade Pay higher than what is provided for under the MACP scheme will be allowed.

(vi)       For removal of ambiguity, if any, reference will be made to Ministry for clarification.

Yours faithfully,
(Pratima Dikshit)
Director

Information : http://www.education.nic.in/  

What is “Hierarchy”

What is “Hierarchy”