MOST IMMEDIATE

No.35034/1/97-Estt(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

North Block, New Delhi 110001

August 9, 1999

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- THE ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.

The Fifth Central Pay Commission in its Report has made certain recommendations relating to the Assured
Career Progression (ACP) Scheme for the Central Government civilian employees in all
Ministries/Departments. The ACP Scheme needs to be viewed as a ‘Safety Net’ to deal with the problem of
genuine stagnation and hardship faced by the employees due to lack of adequate promotional avenues.
Accordingly, after careful consideration it has been decided by the Government to introduce the ACP Scheme
recommended by the Fifth Central Pay Commission with certain modifications as indicated hereunder:-

2. GROUP ‘A’ CENTRAL SERVICES

2.1 In respect of Group ‘A’ Central services (Technical/Non-Technical), no financial upgradation under the
Scheme is being proposed for the reason that promotion in their case must be earned. Hence, it has been
decided that there shall be no benefits under the ACP Scheme for Group ‘A’ Central services (Technical/Non-
Technical). Cadre Controlling Authorities in their case would, however, continue to improve the promotion
prospects in organisations/cadres on functional grounds by way of organisational study, cadre review, etc. as
per prescribed norms.

3. GROUP ‘B’, ‘C’ AND ‘D’ SERVICES/POSTS AND ISOLATED

POSTS IN GROUP ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ AND ‘D’ CATEGORIES

3.1 While in respect of these categories also promotion shall continue to be duly earned, it is proposed to
adopt the ACP Scheme in a modified form to mitigate hardship in cases of acute stagnation either in a cadre
or in an isolated post. Keeping in view all relevant factors, it has, therefore, been decided to grant two

financial upgradations [as recommended by the Fifth Central Pay Commission and also in accordance with
the Agreed Settlement dated September 11, 1997 (in relation

to Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees) entered into with the Staff Side of the National Council (JCM)] under the ACP
Scheme to Group ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees on completion of 12 years and 24 years (subject to condition
no.4 in Annexure-I) of regular service respectively. Isolated posts in Group ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ categories which
have no promotional avenues shall also qualify for similar benefits on the pattern indicated above. Certain
categories of employees such as casual employees (including those with temporary status), ad-hoc and
contract employees shall not qualify for benefits under the aforesaid Scheme. Grant of financial upgradations
under the ACP Scheme shall, however, be subject to the conditions mentioned in Annexure-I.

3.2 ‘Regular Service’ for the purpose of the ACP Scheme shall be interpreted to mean the eligibility service
counted for regular promotion in terms of relevant Recruitment/Service Rules.

4. Introduction of the ACP Scheme should, however, in no case affect the normal (regular) promotional
avenues available on the basis of vacancies. Attempts needed to improve promotion prospects in
organisations/cadres on functional grounds by way of organisational study, cadre reviews, etc as per
prescribed norms should not be given up on the ground that the ACP Scheme has been introduced.

5. Vacancy based regular promotions, as distinct from financial upgradation under the ACP Scheme, shall
continue to be granted after due screening by a regular Departmental Promotion Committee as per relevant
rules/guidelines.

6. SCREENING COMMITTEE
6.1 A departmental Screening Committee shall be constituted for the purpose of processing the cases for
grant of benefits under the ACP Scheme.

6.2 The composition of the Screening Committee shall be the same as that of the DPC prescribed under the
relevant Recruitment/Service Rules for regular promotion to the higher grade to which financial upgradation is
to be granted. However, in cases where DPC as per the prescribed rules is headed by the Chairman/Member
of the UPSC, the Screening Committee under the ACP Scheme shall, instead, be headed by the Secretary or
an officer of equivalent rank of the concerned Ministry/Department. In respect of isolated posts, the
composition of the Screening Committee (with modification as noted above, if required) shall be the same as
that of the DPC for promotion to analogous grade in that Ministry/Department.

6.3 In order to prevent operation of the ACP Scheme from resulting into undue strain on the administrative
machinery, the Screening Committee shall follow a time-schedule and meet twice in a financial year –
preferably in the first week of January and July for advance processing of the cases. Accordingly, cases
maturing during the first-half (April-September) of a particular financial year for grant of benefits under the
ACP Scheme shall be taken up for consideration by the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of
January of the previous financial year. Similarly, the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of July of
any financial year shall process the cases that would be maturing during the second-half (October-March) of
the same financial year. For example, the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of January, 1999
would process the cases that would attain maturity during the period April 1, 1999 to September 30, 1999 and
the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of July, 1999 would process the cases that would mature
during the period October 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000.

6.4 To make the Scheme operational, the Cadre Controlling Authorities shall constitute the first Screening
Committee of the current financial year within a month from the date of issue of these instructions to consider
the cases that have already matured or would be maturing upto March 31, 2000 for grant of benefits under
the ACP Scheme. The next Screening Committee shall be constituted as per the time-schedule suggested
above.

7. Ministries/Departments are advised to explore the possibility of effecting savings so as to minimise the
additional financial commitment that introduction of the ACP Scheme may entail.

8. The ACP Scheme shall become operational from the date of issue of this Office Memorandum.

9. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Departments are concerned, these orders
issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

10. The Fifth Central Pay Commission in paragraph 52.15 of its Report has also separately recommended a
"Dynamic Assured Career Progression Mechanism" for different streams of doctors. It has been decided that
the said recommendation may be considered separately by the administrative Ministry concerned in
consultation with the Department of Personnel and Training and the Department of Expenditure.

11. Any interpretation/clarification of doubt as to the scope and meaning of the provisions of the ACP Scheme
shall be given by the Department of Personnel and Training (Establishment-D).

12. All Ministries/Departments may give wide circulation to these instructions for guidance of all concerned
and also take immediate steps to implement the Scheme keeping in view the ground situation obtaining in
services/cadres/ posts within their administrative jurisdiction;

13. Hindi version would follow.

(K.K. JHA)
Director(Establishment)

To

1. All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India

2. President’s Secretariat/Vice President’s Secretariat/Prime Minister’s Office/Supreme Court/Rajya Sabha

Secretariat/Lok Sabha Secretariat/Cabinet Secretariat/UPSC/CVC/C&AG/Central Administrative
Tribunal(Principal Bench), New Delhi

3. All attached/subordinate offices of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
4. Secretary, National Commission for Minorities

5. Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes

6. Secretary, Staff Side, National Council (JCM), 13-C, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi

7. All Staff Side Members of the National Council (JCM)

8. Establishment (D) Section - 1000 copies

ANNEXURE-I

CONDITIONS FOR GRANT OF BENEFITS UNDER THE ACP SCHEME

1. The ACP Scheme envisages merely placement in the higher pay-scale/grant of financial benefits (through
financial upgradation) only to the Government servant concerned on personal basis and shall, therefore,
neither amount to functional/regular promotion nor would require creation of new posts for the purpose;

2. The highest pay-scale upto which the financial upgradation under the Scheme shall be available will be
Rs.14,300-18,300. Beyond this level, there shall be no financial upgradation and higher posts shall be filled
strictly on vacancy based promotions;

3. The financial benefits under the ACP Scheme shall be granted from the date of completion of the eligibility
period prescribed under the ACP Scheme or from the date of issue of these instructions whichever is later;

4. The first financial upgradation under the ACP Scheme shall be allowed after 12 years of regular service
and the second upgradation after 12 years of regular service from the date of the first financial upgradation
subject to fulfillment of prescribed conditions. In other words, if the first upgradation gets postponed on
account of the employee not found fit or due to departmental proceedings, etc this would have consequential
effect on the second upgradation which would also get deferred accordingly;

5.1 Two financial upgradations under the ACP Scheme in the entire Government service career of an
employee shall be counted against regular promotions (including in-situ promotion and fast-track promotion
availed through limited departmental competitive examination) availed from the grade in which an employee
was appointed as a direct recruit. This shall mean that two financial upgradations under the ACP Scheme
shall be available only if no regular promotions during the prescribed periods (12 and 24 years) have been
availed by an employee. If an employee has already got one regular promotion, he shall qualify for the
second financial upgradation only on completion of 24 years of regular service under the ACP Scheme. In
case two prior promotions on regular basis have already been received by an employee, no benefit under the
ACP Scheme shall accrue to him;

5.2 Residency periods (regular service) for grant of benefits under the ACP Scheme shall be counted from the
grade in which an employee was appointed as a direct recruit;

6. Fulfillment of normal promotion norms (bench-mark, departmental examination, seniority-cum-fitness in the

case of Group ‘D’ employees, etc.) for grant of financial upgradations, performance of such duties as are
entrusted to the employees together with retention of old designations, financial upgradations as personal
to the incumbent for the stated purposes and restriction of the ACP Scheme for financial and certain other
benefits (House Building Advance, allotment of Government accommodation, advances, etc) only without
conferring any privileges related to higher status (e.g. invitation to ceremonial functions, deputation to higher
posts, etc) shall be ensured for grant of benefits under the ACP Scheme;

7. Financial upgradation under the Scheme shall be given to the next higher grade in accordance with the
existing hierarchy in a cadre/category of posts without creating new posts for the purpose. However, in case
of isolated posts, in the absence of defined hierarchical grades, financial upgradation shall be given by the
Ministries/Departments concerned in the immediately next higher (standard/common) pay-scales as
indicated in Annexure-II which is in keeping with Part-A of the First Schedule annexed to the Notification
dated September 30, 1997 of the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure). For instance, incumbents
of isolated posts in the pay-scale S-4, as indicated in Annexure-II, will be eligible for the proposed two
financial upgradations only to the pay-scales S-5 and S-6. Financial upgradation on a dynamic basis (i.e.
without having to create posts in the relevant scales of pay) has been recommended by the Fifth Central Pay
Commission only for the incumbents of isolated posts which have no avenues of promotion at all. Since
financial upgradations under the Scheme shall be personal to the incumbent of the isolated post, the same
shall be filled at its original level (pay-scale) when vacated. Posts which are part of a well-defined cadre shall
not qualify for the ACP Scheme on ‘dynamic’ basis. The ACP benefits in their case shall be granted
conforming to the existing hierarchical structure only;

8. The financial upgradation under the ACP Scheme shall be purely personal to the employee and shall have
no relevance to his seniority position. As such, there shall be no additional financial upgradation for the senior
employee on the ground that the junior employee in the grade has got higher pay-scale under the ACP
Scheme;

9. On upgradation under the ACP Scheme, pay of an employee shall be fixed under the provisions of FR 22(I)
a(1) subject to a minimum financial benefit of Rs.100/- as per the Department of Personnel and Training
Office Memorandum No.1/6/97-Pay.I dated July 5, 1999. The financial benefit allowed under the ACP Scheme
shall be final and no pay-fixation benefit shall accrue at the time of regular promotion i.e. posting against a
functional post in the higher grade;

10. Grant of higher pay-scale under the ACP Scheme shall be conditional to the fact that an employee, while
accepting the said benefit, shall be deemed to have given his unqualified acceptance for regular promotion on
occurrence of vacancy subsequently. In case he refuses to accept the higher post on regular promotion
subsequently, he shall be subject to normal debarment for regular promotion as prescribed in the general
instructions in this regard. However, as and when he accepts regular promotion thereafter, he shall become
eligible for the second upgradation under the ACP Scheme only after he completes the required eligibility
service/period under the ACP Scheme in that higher grade subject to the condition that the period for which
he was debarred for regular promotion shall not count for the purpose. For example, if a person has got one
financial upgradation after rendering 12 years of regular service and after 2 years therefrom if he refuses
regular promotion and is consequently debarred for one year and subsequently he is promoted to the higher
grade on regular basis after completion of 15 years (12+2+1) of regular service, he shall be eligible for
consideration for the second upgradation under the ACP Scheme only after rendering ten more years in
addition to two years of service already rendered by him after the first financial upgradation (2+10) in that
higher grade i.e. after 25 years (12+2+1+10) of regular service because the debarment period of one year
cannot be taken into account towards the required 12 years of regular service in that higher grade;

11. In the matter of disciplinary/penalty proceedings, grant of benefits under the ACP Scheme shall be subject
to rules governing normal promotion. Such cases shall, therefore, be regulated under the provisions of
relevant CCS(CCA) Rules, 1965 and instructions thereunder;

12. The proposed ACP Scheme contemplates merely placement on personal basis in the higher pay-
scale/grant of financial benefits only and shall not amount to actual/functional promotion of the employees
concerned. Since orders regarding reservation in promotion are applicable only in the case of regular
promotion, reservation orders/roster shall not apply to the ACP Scheme which shall extend its benefits
uniformly to all eligible SC/ST employees also. However, at the time of regular/functional (actual) promotion,
the Cadre Controlling Authorities shall ensure that all reservation orders are applied strictly;

13. Existing time-bound promotion schemes, including in-situ promotion scheme, in various
Ministries/Departments may, as per choice, continue to be operational for the concerned categories of
employees. However, these schemes, shall not run concurrently with the ACP Scheme. The Administrative
Ministry/Department -- not the employees -- shall have the option in the matter to choose between the two
schemes, i.e. existing time-bound promotion scheme or the ACP Scheme, for various categories of
employees. However, in case of switch-over from the existing time-bound promotion scheme to the ACP
Scheme, all stipulations (viz. for promotion, redistribution of posts, upgradation involving higher functional
duties, etc) made under the former (existing) scheme would cease to be operative. The ACP Scheme shall
have to be adopted in its totality;

14. In case of an employee declared surplus in his/her organisation and in case of transfers including
unilateral transfer on request, the regular service rendered by him/her in the previous organisation shall be
counted along with his/her regular service in his/her new organisation for the purpose of giving financial
upgradation under the Scheme; and

15. Subject to Condition No. 4 above, in cases where the employees have already completed 24 years of
regular service, with or without a promotion, the second financial upgradation under the scheme shall be
granted directly. Further, in order to rationalise unequal level of stagnation, benefit of surplus regular service
(not taken into account for the first upgradation under the scheme) shall be given at the subsequent stage
(second) of financial upgradation under the ACP Scheme as a one time measure. In other words, in respect
of employees who have already rendered more than 12 years but less than 24 years of regular service, while
the first financial upgradation shall be granted immediately, the surplus regular service beyond the first 12
years shall also be counted towards the next 12 years of regular service required for grant of the second
financial upgradation and, consequently, they shall be considered for the second financial upgradation also as
and when they complete 24 years of regular service without waiting for completion of 12 more years of
regular service after the first financial upgradation already granted under the Scheme.

(K.K. JHA)
Director(Establishment)

ANNEXURE-II

STANDARD/COMMON PAY-SCALES

As per Part-A of the First Schedule Annexed to the Ministry of Finance

(Department of Expenditure) Gazette Notification dated September 30, 1997

[REFERENCE PARA 7 OF ANNEXURE I OF THIS OFFICE MEMORANDUM]

[Link]. Revised pay-scales (Rs)

1. S-1 2550-55-2660-60-3200

2. S-2 2610-60-3150-65-3540

3. S-3 2650-65-3300-70-4000

4. S-4 2750-70-3800-75-4400

5. S-5 3050-75-3950-80-4590

6. S-6 3200-85-4900

7. S-7 4000-100-6000

8. S-8 4500-125-7000

9. S-9 5000-150-8000

10. S-10 5500-175-9000

11. S-12 6500-200-10500

12. S-13 7450-225-11500

13. S-14 7500-250-12000

14. S-15 8000-275-13500

15. S-19 10000-325-15200

16. S-21 12000-375-16500

17. S-23 12000-375-18000

18. S-24 14300-400-18300

[Link].35034/1/97-Estt(D)([Link])
Government of India
 Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

New Delhi 110001

February 10, 2000

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:-ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN

EMPLOYEES - CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING

The undersigned is directed to invite reference to the Department of Personnel and Training Office
Memorandum of even number dated August 9, 1999 regarding the Assured Career Progression Scheme
(ACPS). Consequent upon introduction of the Scheme, clarifications have been sought by various
Ministries/Departments about certain issues in connection with implementation of the ACPS. The doubts
raised by various quarters have been duly examined and point-wise clarifications have accordingly been
indicated in the Annexure.

2. The ACP scheme should strictly be implemented in keeping with the Department of Personnel and Training
Office Memorandum of even number dated August 9, 1999 read with the aforesaid clarifications (Annexure).
Cases where the ACP Scheme has already been implemented shall be reviewed/rectified if the same
are not found to be in accordance with the scheme/clarifications.

3. All Ministries/Departments may give wide circulation to these clarificatory instructions for general guidance
and appropriate action in the matter.

4. Hindi version would follow.

(K.K. JHA)
Director(Establishment)

To

1. All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India

2. President’s Secretariat / Vice President’s Secretariat / Prime Minister’s Office / Supreme Court / Rajya
Sabha Secretariat / Lok Sabha Secretariat / Cabinet Secretariat / UPSC / CVC / C&AG / Central
Administrative Tribunal (Principal Bench), New Delhi

3. All attached/subordinate offices of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

4. Secretary, National Commission for Minorities

5. Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes

6. Secretary, Staff Side, National Council (JCM), 13-C, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi

7. All Staff Side Members of the National Council (JCM)

8. Establishment (D) Section - 1000 copies

ANNEXURE

[Reference:-Office Memorandum No.35034/1/97-Estt(D)([Link]) dated 10.2.2000]

[Link]. Point of doubt Clarification

1. Two posts carrying different pay Since the benefits of upgradation under ACP
scales constituting two rungs in a Scheme (ACPS) are to be allowed in the
hierarchy have now been placed in existing hierarchy, the mobility under ACPS
the same pay-scale as a result of shall be in the hierarchy existing after merger
rationalisaton of pay-scales. This of pay-scales by ignoring the promotion. An
 has resulted into change in the employee who got promoted from lower pay-
hierarchy in as much as two posts scale to higher pay-scale as a result of
which constituted feeder and promotion before merger of pay-scales shall
promotion grades in the pre- be entitled for upgradation under ACPS
merged scenario have become one ignoring the said promotion as otherwise he
grade. The position may be would be placed in a disadvantageous position
clarified further by way of the vis-à-vis the fresh entrant in the merged
following illustration: prior to the grade.
implementation of the Fifth Central
Pay Commission recommendation,
two categories of posts were in the
pay-scales of Rs.1200-1800 and
Rs.1320-2040 respectively; the
latter being promotion post for the
former. Both the posts have now
been placed in the pay-scale of
Rs.4000-6000. How the benefits of
the ACP Scheme is to be allowed
in such cases?

2. Some employees have been Mobility under ACPS is to be allowed in the

allowed selection grade/in-situ ‘existing hierarchy’. As such, if any selection
promotions though these grades grade/in-situ promotion has been allowed to
are not a part of the defined employees which is not a part of the hierarchy,
hierarchy. Whether this is to be it shall not be counted as promotion for the
considered as promotion for the purpose of ACPS. For illustration sake, junior
purpose of ACPS? Also, what will engineers of CPWD appointed in the grade
be the situation if selection grade Rs.5000-8000/- are allowed the scale of
has been allowed in lieu of higher Rs.5500-9000/- on completion of five years of
pay-scale? regular service and the scale of Rs.6,500-
10,500/- on completion of fifteen years of
regular service. The scale of Rs.5500-9000/- is
not a part of the defined hierarchy for them. In
such cases, the pay-scale which is not a part
of the hierarchy may be treated to have been
withdrawn. However, fall in pay resulting out of
this shall be protected by granting personal
pay in the aforesaid direct entry grade to be
adjusted against future increments. Moreover,
as per Condition No.13 of ACPS, such existing
(previous) schemes would be discontinued
with the adoption of ACPS. However, in the
case of common category of posts, the
existing hierarchy in relation to a cadre would
mean the restructured grades recommended
by the Fifth Central Pay Commission.

3. An isolated post of Jeep Driver in In such isolated cases option should be either
the pay–scale of Rs.3050-4590 to follow the promotion scheme as formulated
has been allowed in-situ promotion vide DoP&T O.M No.22036/ 1/92-Estt(D)
in the grade of Rs.4000-6000 dated 30.11.1993 read with O.M
whereas as per Annexure-II of the No.35034/3/97-Estt(D) dated 1.6.1998 or to
O.M. dated 9.8.1999 next scale is grant benefits to the incumbents of such
Rs.3200-4900. What should be the isolated post on a dynamic basis as per
grade allowed under ACPS? Condition No.7 of ACPS.
Similarly, Despatch Rider in the
pre-revised pay-scale of Rs.950-
1400 and staff car driver in the pre-
revised scale of Rs.950-1500 have
been allowed revised pay-scale of
Rs.3050-4590. What should be the
benefit under ACPS?
 4. In a case where a person is The benefits under ACPS are limited to higher
appointed to a post on transfer pay scale and do not confer designation,
(absorption) basis from another duties and responsibilities of the higher post.
post, whether 12 years and 24 Hence, the basic criterion to allow the higher
years of service for the purpose of pay scale under ACPS should be whether a
ACPS will count from the initial person is working in the same pay scale for
appointment or otherwise. the prescribed period of 12/24 years.
Consequently, so long as a person is in the
same pay scale during the period in question,
it is immaterial whether he has been holding
different posts in the same pay scale. As such,
if a Government servant has been appointed
5. Whether a Government servant, to another post in the same pay scale either
as a direct recruit or on absorption (transfer)
who is direct recruit in one grade
and subsequently joins another basis or first on deputation basis and later on
absorbed (on transfer basis), it should not
post again as direct recruit, is
eligible for first financial make any difference for the purpose of ACPS
so long as he is in the same pay scale. In
upgradation under ACPS after
completion of 12 years of service other words, past promotion as well as past
regular service in the same pay scale, even if
counted from the first appointment
or from the subsequent second it was on different posts for which appointment
was made by different methods like direct
appointment as direct recruit?
recruitment, absorption (transfer)/ deputation,
or at different places should be taken into
account for computing the prescribed period of
service for the purpose of ACPS. Also, in case
of absorption (transfer)/deputation in the
aforesaid situations, promotions earned in the
previous/present organisations, together with
the past regular service shall also count for the
6. An employee appointed initially on purpose of ACPS. However, if the appointment
deputation to a post gets absorbed
is made to higher pay-scale either as on direct
subsequently, whether absorption recruitment or on absorption (transfer) basis or
may be termed as promotion or
first on deputation basis and later on absorbed
direct recruitment. What will be the (on transfer basis), such appointment shall be
case if an employee on deputation
treated as direct recruitment and past
holds a post in the same pay-scale
service/promotion shall not count for benefits
as that of the post held by him in
under ACPS.
the present cadre? Also, what will
be the situation if he was holding a Needless to say, in cases of transfer on
post in the parent cadre carrying a administrative ground, involving only change
lower pay-scale? of station within the same department, the
service rendered in the same grade at two
stations may count for ACPS, as such
transfers are within the same organisation,
ordered generally for administrative/personal
considerations and the service rendered in the
earlier station counts as eligibility service for
promotion.

7. Whether the instructions on ACPS ACPS is applicable only to Central

are applicable to the employees Government civilian employees and, as such,
working in the instrumentalities like does not get automatically extended to
autonomous/ judicial / statutory autonomous/statutory bodies. A conscious
bodies? Similarly, whether the decision in this regard shall have to be taken
orders are applicable to the by the governing body/competent authority/
employees working in industries organisation concerned. In relation to others,
governed by certified standing specific cases shall be examined in
orders, Factories Act and Industrial consultation with the Department of Personnel
Disputes Act, etc? and Training.
8. Appointment on the basis of limited If the relevant Recruitment Rules provide for
departmental examination by which filling up of vacancies of Stenographers Grade
an employee joined a new service ‘D’/Junior Stenographers by direct recruitment,
should be treated as promotion or induction of LDCs to the aforesaid grade
not. For example, in case of through Limited Departmental Competitive
Group-D employees appointed as Examination may be treated as direct
LDCs or Grade-D stenographers recruitment for the purpose of benefit under
appointed from amongst LDCs ACPS. However, in such cases, service
should be treated as direct recruits rendered in a lower pay-scale shall not be
or not in the respective higher counted for the purpose of benefit under
grades. ACPS. The case of Grade ‘D’ employees who
become LDCs on the basis of departmental
examination stand on different footing. In their
case, relevant Recruitment Rules prescribe a
promotion quota to be filled up on the basis of
departmental examination. Therefore, such
appointments shall be counted as promotion
for the purpose of ACPS. In such situations,
past regular service shall also be counted for
further benefits, if any, under the Scheme.

9. A merged pre-revised pay-scale of The issue of demerger of the integrated pay-

Rs.775-1150 was allowed to scale of Rs.775-1150/- is already under
Group-D employees as a result of consideration of the National Anomaly
an agreement with the Staff Side in Committee. It has not been agreed either to
the National Council of JCM. Those treat the promotion to S-2 and S-3 as one or
Group-D employees drawing for merging the pay-scales. As the merger of
Rs.1030/- (pre-revised) or above the pay-scales earlier was as a result of an
as basic pay have been allowed S- agreement only with a view to provide certain
3 (revised) (Rs.2650-4000/-) and relief to the stagnating employees, it cannot, in
those drawing less have been itself, be the ground for allowing additional
allowed S-2 (revised) (Rs.2610- benefits. As such, an employee inducted in S-
3540/-). The replacement scales of 1 and now placed in S-2 shall be allowed one
Rs.2610-3540/- and Rs.2650-4000 more upgradation i.e. in S-3 under ACPS. An
should be treated as one. Since S- employee inducted in S-1 and now placed in
4 (revised) (Rs.2750-4400/-) does S-3 shall not be allowed any further
not operate in the Central upgradation as he has already availed of two
Secretariat, Group ‘D’ employees financial upgradations.
should be given second
upgradation in S-5 i.e. Rs.3050-
4590/-.

10. For isolated posts, the scale of pay For isolated posts, the scales of pay for ACPS
for ACPS as recommended by the shall be the same as those applicable for
Pay Commission may be similar posts in the same Ministry/
implemented and not the standard/ Department/Cadre except where the Pay
common pay-scales indicated vide Commission has recommended specific pay-
Annexure-II of the Office scales for mobility under ACPS. Such specific
Memorandum dated August 9, cases may be examined by respective
1999. Ministries/ Departments in consultation with
the Department of Personnel and Training. In
the case of remaining isolated posts, the pay-
scales contained in Annexure-II of the Office
Memorandum dated August 9, 1999 (ACPS)
shall apply.

11. In the case of an employee No. In terms of para 3.2 of the Office
appointed on ad-hoc basis and Memorandum dated August 9, 1999 (ACPS),
who is subsequently regularised, only regular service which counts for the
the ad-hoc service is counted purpose of regular promotion in terms of
towards increment. Whether the relevant Recruitment/Service Rules shall
 ad-hoc service may be counted for count for the purpose of upgradation under
the ACPS also? ACPS.

12. When an employee in Group-C While the Scheme provides for only financial
scale is given financial upgradation upgradations to an individual and not the
in Group-B scale, whether it shall upgradation of the post held by him, the
have the approval of the authority classification of the post held by the officer
competent to appoint persons in should be with reference to the scale of pay of
the upgraded scale. the post held by Government servant on
regular basis and not with reference to the
higher scale of pay granted to the Government
servant on upgradation under ACPS.
However, upgradation under ACPS may be
allowed with the approval of the authority
competent to make an appointment in the
upgraded scales/grades.

13. Whether ex-servicemen who have Yes. The ACPS is meant for the Central
been re-employed after giving Government civilian employees. As such, ex-
relaxation in age and educational servicemen, re-employed as civilian
qualifications prescribed in relevant employee, shall be entitled for upgradation
Recruitment/Service Rules for under the Scheme on completion of 12/24
particular post as direct recruit are years of service after direct recruitment in the
to be allowed ACP benefits on civil employment. Also, such category of
completion of 12/24 years of persons would already be drawing pension on
service after re-employment in the basis of their service in the armed forces.
civilian post?

14. An employee gets first promotion Upgradations under the scheme are to be
after 20 years of regular service. In allowed on completion of 12/24 years of
terms of relevant service counted from direct entry in the
Recruitment/Service Rules, Government employment. If an employee gets
required eligibility service is 8 first regular promotion on completion of 20
years for the next promotion, years of service, he will be entitled to second
whether upgradation under ACPS financial upgradation under ACPS on
is to be allowed on completion of completion of 4 years of service after such first
24 years of service from direct regular promotion, though the
recruitment i.e four years after the Recruitment/Service Rules prescribe higher
first promotion or on completion of length of regular service in the grade for next
8 years of regular service after first promotion.
promotion as per the Recruitment
Rules.

15. An employee who may have Since the Assured Career Progression
completed 29 years of service shall Scheme can have only prospective
be entitled for two upgradations application, it is not permissible to allow
directly along with other employee notional benefit with retrospective effect. This
who may have completed 24 years would not lead to anomaly in as much as an
of service. This would create an employee having longer years of service may
anomaly in as much as 5 years of get his pay fixed at a higher/same stage vis-à-
service of the former would get vis an employee having lesser length of
neutralised. Therefore, the service.
upgradation could be allowed
notionally from the date of
completion of 12/24 years of
regular service and actual financial
benefit could be given from the
date of meeting of the Screening
Committee.

16. The relevant Recruitment/Service As per the scheme (Condition No.6), all
Rules prescribe departmental promotion norms have to be fulfilled for
 examination/skill test for vacancy upgradation under the Scheme. As such, no
based promotion. However, this upgradation shall be allowed if an employee
need not be insisted for fails to qualify departmental/skill test
upgradation under ACPS. prescribed for the purpose of regular
promotion.

17. An employee who has completed The following illustration shall clarify the doubt:
24 years of service is to be allowed An incumbent in the pay-scale of Rs.4000-
two upgradations directly. What will 6000/- (S-7) has put in 24 years of regular
be the mode of fixation of pay of service without a regular promotion. The
the employee? incumbent shall be allowed two upgradations
i.e. to S-8 and S-9. His pay shall first be fixed
in S-8 and then in S-9. Pay fixation directly
from S-7 to S-9 shall not be allowed.

18. If special pay has been allowed in Special pay allowed shall not be counted as
lieu of separate pay-scale, whether promotion for the purpose of ACPS. Also, the
this should be treated as promotion special pay drawn in the lower post, in lieu of a
for the purpose of ACPS and also higher pay-scale shall be taken into account
whether the special pay is to be for fixation of pay under ACPS subject to the
taken into account while fixing the fulfillment of the following conditions as laid
pay under ACPS? down vide Ministry of Finance Office
Memorandum No.6(1)-[Link](B)65) dated
25.2.1965, re-produced as Government’s
decision No.32 under Appendix-8 of
FR/SR(Part-1) (Thirteenth Edition):-

(i)The special pay in the lower post should

have been granted in lieu of separate higher
scale (i.e. special pay granted to Steno-typist,
Clerk-in-charge, etc.)

(ii)If the special pay has been drawn in the

lower post continuously for a minimum period
of three years on the date of promotion, the
pay in the higher post will be fixed under the
normal rules, treating the special pay as part
of the basic pay. In other cases, the pay in the
time-scale of the higher post will be fixed
under the normal rules, with reference to the
basic pay drawn in the lower post (excluding
the special pay); where this results in drop in
emoluments the difference between the pay so
fixed and the pay plus special pay drawn in
the lower post will be allowed in the form of
personal pay to be absorbed in future
increases of pay.

(iii)In both kinds of cases referred to in clause

(ii) above, it should be certified that, but for the
promotion, the Government servant would
have continued to draw the special pay in the
lower post.

(19) Point of doubt

Based on the categorisation of Libraries, Ministry of Finance vide Office Memorandum No. 19(1)/IC/86 dated
24th July, 1990 have prescribed the following pay-scales for posts in libraries:-

Post Pay-scales Pay-scales

(pre-revised) (revised)

Library and Information Assistant 1400-2600 5000-8000

Sr. Library and Information Assistant 1640-2900 5500-9000

Assistant Library and Information Officer 2000-3500 6500-10500

Library and Information Officer 3000-4500 10000-15200

Director (Library and Information) 4500-5700 14300-18300

In number of cases, depending on the work etc, there are only first two categories of posts in a library. What
should be the channel for upward mobility under ACPS of the library staff in such cases?

Clarification

In order to secure uniformity in the upward mobility of the library staff under the ACPS, it has been decided
to adopt the aforesaid pay-scales prescribed by the Ministry of Finance subject to the terms and conditions
prescribed by them. Posts in the library, if held in different nomenclatures, may, as such, also be re-
designated as per the said orders of the Ministry of Finance. However, grant of higher pay-scale under
ACPS will, as per Condition No.6, not result in change in the designation etc of the beneficiary.

[Link]. Point of doubt Clarification

20. On upgradation under ACPS, pay of an Yes. The financial benefit allowed under
employee shall be fixed under the provisions of ACPS shall be final and no pay fixation
FR 22(I)a(1). Whether an option for fixation of benefit shall accrue at the time of regular
pay in the higher grade based on the date of promotion. In other words, upgradation under
increment may also be allowed? ACPS shall be treated on par with regular
promotion in so far as pay-fixation is
concerned. Therefore, the option of pay-
fixation in the next higher grade based on the
date of increment may be allowed.
21. In terms of DoP&T Office Memorandum No. The matter has been examined in
6(2)/23/77-Welfare dated 11th December, 1979, consultation with Director(Canteen) and it has
all posts in the canteen and tiffin room being run been decided that the benefits of ACPS shall
departmentally by the Government of India were be extended to the canteen employees by
treated posts in connection with the affairs of reckoning from the date of their initial
the Union. Subsequently, vide Office appointment as direct recruit on regular basis
Memorandum No.12/3/92-Director[C] dated as the crucial date for granting the 1st/2nd
16.9.92, canteen employees were declared as upgradations. Needless to say, upgradations
Central Government employees with effect from shall be allowed only in those cases where
1.10.1991. Whether canteen employees will be promotions have not been made even after
treated as Government employees with effect putting in 12/24 years of regular service
from 1.10.79 (the date from which they were counted in the manner indicated above.
declared as holders of civil posts) or with effect
from 1.10.1991 for the purpose of granting of
upgradations under ACPS?
22. (a)Annexure-I of ACPS stipulates that if the first In regard to deferment of grant of ACP
upgradation gets postponed on account of the benefits on account of disciplinary
employee not found fit or due to departmental proceedings or refusal of promotion, it is
proceedings, etc, this would have consequential mentioned that the ACPS in the matter has to
effect on the second upgradation which would follow the same pattern as that obtains in the
also get deferred accordingly. In other words, case of regular promotion. The basic idea
the employee who has been denied the first behind making this provision is that there shall
financial upgradation (meaning withholding of be uniformity of treatment both in the case of
this benefit) would again be penalised even ACPS and regular promotions. Moreover, the
after having completed 24 years of regular Government has already modified/ moderated
the Fifth Central Pay Commission
 service. This certainly is a case of double recommendation that in case of refusal to
jeopardy and should not be inflicted. accept regular promotion subsequently, the
employee concerned should be reverted from
the higher grade granted under ACPS. The
Scheme adopted by the Government, as
(b)Annexure-I of ACPS unnecessarily provides such, guards against this adverse effect and
for deferment of second financial upgradation by thereby has already brought about an
the period for which an employee is debarred improvement upon the Pay Commission
from regular promotion in the higher grade. In recommendation in this regard.
other words, it connects the second upgradation
under ACPS with regular promotion to the 1st
ACP grade. This is quite unwarranted as the
schemes of ACP and regular promotions are to
run concurrently and parallel to each other and
should, therefore, not be connected in the
manner it has been done. This condition may,
therefore, be withdrawn.
23. The administrative Ministry/Department, not the The ACPS has been introduced after
employees have been given option in the matter consulting all concerned including the Staff
to choose between two schemes, i.e. existing Side in the National Council of JCM and with
time-bound promotion scheme or the ACP the approval of the Cabinet. Hence, there is
Scheme. It is suggested that the said option no need to associate the Staff Side while
should be exercised by the administrative exercising the said preference by the
Ministry/ Department after consulting the staff administrative Ministry/Department
representatives in the forum of respective concerned. However, their view point could be
Departmental Councils. taken into account while exercising such
preference. The Administration will, however,
not be bound by it.
24. (a)Appointment in LDC grade from Group ‘D’ (a) As already clarified in relation to item at
should not be treated as promotion because [Link].8, in the existing arrangement, specified
LDC is not in the direct line of promotion for quota of LDC vacancies are filled by
Group ‘D’ employees. Two services are Group-‘D’ staff on the basis of Limited
altogether different. No Group ‘D’ employee can Departmental Competitive Examination. As
be appointed/promoted to a Group ‘C’ post like such, post of LDC may be treated as
LDC etc who does not possess the educational promotion post under ACPS for Group ‘D’
qualifications prescribed in the Recruitment staff.
Rules. The Group ‘D’ employees have to satisfy
certain minimum standards of selection and only
then they are eligible for appointment to Group
‘C’ posts like LDC. Besides, Government have
already agreed in the case of P&T Department
not to treat appointment/ promotion of Postman
as Postal Clerk etc as promotion for the purpose
of OTB. OTBP is given to such employees
(Postman etc) after completing period of
residency as Postal Clerk. The same decision
may be made applicable to ACP as well.

(b)A number of Group ‘D’ employees are

appointed as Despatch Riders/Staff Car Drivers, (b) The appointment of Group ‘D’ employees
Gestener Operators etc. Since these posts are as Despatch Rider/Staff Car Driver is on
not in the direct line of promotion for Group ‘D’ transfer basis in a higher pay-scale. This point
employees and are in the normal course meant has already been clarified in relation to items
to be filled by direct recruitment, such at [Link].4, 5 and 6 above.
appointments should not be treated as
promotion for ACPS.
25. An employee may be given second upgradation The periodicity of 12/24 years of regular
under ACPS as soon as he completes 12 years service for grant of upgradations under ACPS
of regular service from the date of his earlier cannot be relaxed. Grant of the first regular
promotion or as soon as he completes 24 years promotion prior to completion of 12 years of
of regular service, whichever is earlier. regular service from the direct entry grade
 shall have no bearing on the periodicity of the
second upgradation under ACPS, which shall
be granted only after completion of 24 years
of regular service and only if the second
regular promotion has not been earned in
between.
26. LDCs/UDCs in administrative offices of the Both the posts constitute two rungs in a
Government of India are having over-lapping hierarchy and, as such, promotion of LDCs as
duties as well as over-lapping scales of pay. UDCs shall be treated as promotion for the
Both are inter-changeable. In fact, division in the purpose of ACPS. Moreover, ACPS is not
duties is more artificial than real. Therefore, designed to interfere with the existing cadre
promotion of LDC to the post of UDC should not structure.
be treated as promotion for the purpose of
ACPS.
27. The condition 8 of the Annexure-I of the DoP&T The ACPS is to act as a ‘safety net’ to provide
O.M. dated 9th August, 1999 operates very relief in cases of acute stagnation. The
harshly against senior employees. It will give concept of "senior-junior" is quite alien to the
rise to serious anomalies in a situation where idea behind the ACPS recommended by the
junior employee in a grade being direct recruit Fifth Central Pay Commission which had also
are given ACP upgradation on completing quite specifically recommended against it.
period of residency, claims of senior employees Benefits granted under the Scheme are
in the same grade and in the same department "personal" in nature and in recognition of long
are ignored merely on the ground that they have hardships faced by stagnating employees.
already been promoted twice earlier. It would, Moreover, it does not grant any status related
as such, be very unfair to ignore the claim of benefits – nor does it change the seniority
seniors as that would lead to heart-burning and position. Senior will continue to be senior
demoralisation. even if his junior has earned upgradations
under ACPS. Relief granted to Government
servants facing stagnation/hardships, as
visualised by ACPS, cannot provide a ground
for claiming identical relief by others who are
not similarly circumstanced.
28. All retirement and other terminal benefits would Yes. The retirement/ terminal benefits would
be granted on the basis of actual pay drawn in be on the basis of upgraded pay-scale, if any,
the upgraded ACP scale and condition No.6 of granted under ACPS.
Annexure-I to the effect that it would not confer
any privileges related to higher status would not
be invoked to deny the retirement/terminal
benefits based on the actual pay drawn in
1st/2nd ACP grades at the time of retirement.
29. Whether the upgradations under ACPS are to It has been clarified vide Condition No.6 of
be allowed to the employees who are on ACPS that such upgradation shall not entitle
deputation in other organisations/on training/ on for deputation to higher posts. Therefore, as a
study leave? corollary, upgradation under ACPS shall be
allowed, in respect of employees who are on
deputation, only on notional basis, as
otherwise such upgradation in the cadre may
have bearing on the deputation pay of the
official. However, an employee will get the
actual benefit on the basis of such notional
pay-fixation under ACPS with prospective
effect only on repatriation. Similarly, since an
employee draws leave salary while on leave,
he will get similar treatment as allowed to a
person on deputation. However, upgradation
under ACPS may be allowed to an employee
who is on training as he is on duty for all
practical purposes.
30. Whether the benefit of past service will be No, the benefit of past service shall not be
extended to temporary status employees after extended to temporary status employees after
 their regularisation? their regularisation for the purpose of ACPS.
31. What is an isolated post for the purpose of the Isolated post is a stand alone post, having
ACP Scheme. neither feeder grade nor promotional grade.
As such, a post having no promotional grade
but having a feeder grade and vice-versa
shall not be treated as isolated post for the
purpose of ACPS.
32. Where the cadres/hierarchy is limited to two Such a cadre/hierarchy shall not fall in the
grades only, what should be the pay-scale for isolated category as defined at [Link].31
grant of second upgradation under ACPS? above. Hence, the standard/common pay-
scales mentioned in Annexure-II of the Office
Memorandum dated 9.8.1999 shall not be
applicable in such cases. Action in such cases
may, therefore, be taken as per following
clarifications:-

(i) If such cadre/hierarchy exists in the

Ministry/ Department concerned, the second
upgradation may be allowed in keeping with
the pay-scale of an analogous grade of a
cadre/post in the same Ministry/Department.
However, if no such grade exists in the
Ministry/Department concerned, comparison
may be made with an analogous grade
available in other Ministries/Departments.

(ii) In the case of attached/subordinate offices,

the second upgradation under ACPS may be
given in keeping with the pay-scale of an
analogous grade of a cadre/post of the
concerned office. However, if no such
cadre/post exists in the concerned office,
comparison may be made with an analogous
grade available in other attached/subordinate
offices of the Ministry/Department concerned.

(K.K. JHA)
DIRECTOR(Establishment)

IMMEDIATE

No.22034/4/99-Estt(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel , Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

New Delhi-110001
April 24, 2000

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:-Implementation of the Assured Career Progression Scheme – Regarding.

The undersigned is directed to invite reference to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T) Office
Memorandum (O.M.) dated August 9, 1999 regarding the Assured Career Progression (ACP) Scheme for
the Central Government civilian employees. According to the time-schedule prescribed in paragraph 6.3 of
the aforesaid instructions, the Screening Committee to consider the cases for grant of benefits under the ACP
Scheme is required to meet twice in a financial year - preferably in the first week of January and July for
advance processing of the cases. As per paragraph 6.4 of the aforesaid O.M., the first Screening Committee
was to be set up within a month from the date of issue of the O.M. under reference to consider the cases that
had already matured or were to mature up to 31.3.2000 for grant of benefits under the ACP Scheme. The next
Screening Committee (as per paragraph 6.3 of the said O.M.) was required to meet in the first week of
January, 2000 to process in advance the cases maturing for benefits under the ACP Scheme during the
period from April 1 to September 30, 2000. To ensure expeditious implementation of the ACP Scheme,
clarificatory instructions have also since been issued vide DoP&T Office Memorandum of even number dated
February 10, 2000.

2. Ministries/Departments are requested to ensure that the required action and formalities in relation to the
ACP Scheme are completed as per the prescribed time-schedule and the financial upgradations to the
eligible employees are allowed on time. The pending cases may be decided without any further loss of time.

( [Link] )
Director(Establishment)

To

1. All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India

2. President’s Secretariat / Vice President’s Secretariat / Prime Minister’s Office / Supreme Court / Rajya
Sabha Secretariat / Lok Sabha Secretariat / Cabinet Secretariat / UPSC / CVC / C&AG / Central
Administrative Tribunal (Principal Bench), New Delhi

3. All attached/subordinate offices of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

4. Secretary, National Commission for Minorities

5. Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes

6. Secretary, Staff Side, National Council (JCM), 13-C, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi

7. All Staff Side Members of the National Council (JCM)

8. Establishment (D) Section - 200 copies

No.35034/2/2001-Estt(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
(Department of Personnel and Training)

New Delhi-110001
June 1, 2001

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:-Grant of financial upgradations under the Assured Career Progression Scheme to Group ‘D’
civilian employees of the Central Government – clarification regarding.

The undersigned is directed to say that the clarification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training
(DoP&T) in reply to the Point of Doubt No.9 vide Office Memorandum (O.M.) No.35034/1/97-Estt(D)([Link])
dated February 10, 2000 regarding financial upgradations admissible under the Assured Career Progression
(ACP) Scheme to the Group ‘D’ civilian employees of the Central Government has been reviewed in the light
of the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) [Link].6//1/98-IC-I dated February 12, 2001 (copy
enclosed), whereby an elongated pay-scale of Rs.2610-60-2910-65-3300-70-4000 (S-2A) has been
introduced with effect from 1.1.1996 in replacement of the pre-revised elongated pay-scale of Rs.775-12-871-
14-955-15-1030-20-1150, which was applicable to all Group ‘D’ employees, other than those in the industrial
and workshop categories and in the Railways. It has accordingly been decided that financial upgradations
under the ACP Scheme introduced vide DoP&T [Link].35034/1/97-Estt(D) dated August 9, 1999, shall be
allowed to Group ‘D’ civilian employees of the Central Government in the revised hierarchical grades/pay-
scales after taking into account the revised elongated scale S-2A, wherever applicable, provided that all the
conditions specified in the ACP Scheme, including fulfillment of all promotional norms are met. This is,
however, subject to the following:-

(i) First financial upgradation on completion of 12 years of regular service shall be at least to the pay-scale of
Rs.2610-60-2910-65-3300-70-4000 (S.2A).

(ii) The second financial upgradation on completion of 24 years of regular service shall be allowed at least to
the pay scale of Rs.2750-70-3800-75-4400 (S-4). However, where Group ‘D’ civilian employees of the Central
Government are Matriculates and are eligible for promotion to the post of Lower Division Clerk (LDC), the
second financial upgradation in their case shall be allowed at least to the pay-scale of Rs.3050-75-3950-80-
4590 (S-5).

2. The above decisions shall be effective from August 9, 1999 which is the date of introduction of the ACP
Scheme.

3. The financial upgradations under the ACP Scheme already granted to Group ‘D’ employees should, as
such, be reviewed and revised in the light of the above decisions.

4. In certain Ministries/Departments/Organizations, Group ‘D’ employees initially recruited at S-2/S-3 level

have been allowed financial upgradation under the ACP Scheme in the LDC grade (S-5) even without
possession of prescribed educational qualification viz matriculation. Such upgradation has been allowed
erroneously, as in

terms of the Condition No.6 of the ACP Scheme notified on August 9, 1999, fulfillment of all promotional
norms (including educational qualification, if any, specified in the relevant Recruitment Rules/Service Rules),
prescribed for grant of regular promotion, is an essential requirement for grant of financial upgradations in the
hierarchical grades. Such cases should, therefore, be reviewed and excess payments already made be
recovered forthwith.

5. All Ministries/Departments may give wide circulation to these decisions for general guidance and
appropriate action in the matter.

( [Link] )
DIRECTOR(Establishment)

All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India

Copy to:-

1. President’s Secretariat / Vice President’s Secretariat / Prime Minister’s Office / Supreme Court / Rajya
Sabha Secretariat / Lok Sabha Secretariat / Cabinet Secretariat / UPSC / CVC / C&AG / Central
Administrative Tribunal (Principal Bench), New Delhi.

2. All Subordinate/Attached Offices of the Ministry of Personnel , Public Grievance and Pensions.

3. Secretary, Staff Side, National Council (JCM), 13C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi.

4. All Staff Side Members of the National Council (JCM), 13-C, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi.

5. Department of Expenditure (Implementation Cell) (40 copies).

6. Facilitation Center, DoP&T (20 copies).

7. NIC (DOP&T Branch) for placing this Office Memorandum on the website of DoP&T

8. Establishment (D) Section, DoP&T (500 copies).

[Link].35034/1/97-Estt(D)([Link])
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)
 New Delhi 110001
July 18, 2001

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: - ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN
EMPLOYEES - CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING

The undersigned is directed to invite reference to the Department of Personnel and Training Office
Memorandum of even number dated August 9, 1999 regarding the Assured Career Progression Scheme
(ACPS) and subsequent Office Memorandum dated February 10, 2000 clarifying the various points of doubt
received from various quarters.

2. Some more situations in which a doubt persists in various organizations in regard to

applicability/implementation of ACP Scheme have been brought to the notice of this Department. These have
been duly examined and appropriate advice has been conveyed in individual cases. However, as it is
observed that similar doubts are being received from various other Ministries/Departments/Organizations, it
has been considered appropriate to issue a second set of clarificatory orders containing point-wise
clarification to the additional points of doubt.

3. Cases where the ACP Scheme has already been implemented shall be reviewed/rectified if the same are
not found to be in accordance with the scheme/clarifications.

3. All Ministries/Departments may give wide circulation to these clarificatory instructions for general guidance
and appropriate action in the matter.

4. Hindi version would follow.

(R.K. GOEL)

DEPUTY SECRETARY TO THE GOVT OF INDIA

To

All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India

Copy to:-

1. President’s Secretariat / Vice President’s Secretariat / Prime Minister’s Office / Supreme Court / Rajya
Sabha Secretariat / Lok Sabha Secretariat / Cabinet Secretariat / UPSC / CVC / C&AG / Central
Administrative Tribunal (Principal Bench), New Delhi.

2. All attached/subordinate offices of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

3. Secretary, National Commission for Minorities, New Delhi.

4. Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.

5. Secretary, Staff Side, National Council (JCM), 13-C, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi.

6. All Staff Side Members of the National Council (JCM).

7. Facilitation Center, DoP&T – 20 copies

8. Establishment (D) Section - 1000 copies

9. NIC (DoP&T) for placing this Office Memorandum on the Website of DoP&T. ([Link])

ANNEXURE

[Reference: Office Memorandum No. 35034/1/97-Estt(D)([Link]) dated 18.7.2001]

[Link]. Point of doubt Clarification

33. An employee was promoted from The reply is in the affirmative. The
Grade ‘A’ to Grade ‘C’. Grade ‘B’ was employee has got only one promotion in his
introduced in the hierarchy in between career as per the hierarchy existing at the
Grade ‘A’ and Grade ‘C’ subsequent to time of his promotion. The subsequent
such promotion. Will he be entitled to creation of the post in Grade ‘B’ will not,
any more financial upgradation under therefore, make any material difference in
the ACP Scheme (ACPS) considering the situation in relation to the case of this
that he is already placed in the third employee for the purpose of grant of
level of the hierarchy? second financial upgradation under ACPS
The newly created Grade ‘B’ would, as
such, need to be ignored in his case.
However, persons in Grade ‘A’, who
become entitled to financial upgradation
only after introduction of Grade ‘B’ in the
hierarchy, will be entitled for grant of
financial upgradation only in Grade ‘B’
subject to fulfillment of the other stipulations
and conditions specified in the ACP
Scheme introduced on 9.8.1999

34. An employee has superannuated after In terms of condition no. 3 of the ACP
9.8.1999, i.e. the date from which Scheme introduced vide O.M. dated
ACPS was introduced. He had 9.8.1999, the financial benefit under the
completed the required eligibility ACPS shall be granted from the date of
service as on 9.8.1999 for grant of completion of the eligibility period
financial upgradation but he retired on prescribed under the ACPS or from the date
superannuation before the Screening of issue of the instructions whichever is
Committee could meet to assess his later. Therefore, in respect of employees
suitability for grant of benefits under who had completed eligibility service as on
ACPS. Will he be entitled for financial 9.8.1999 but retired prior to meeting of the
upgradation under ACPS? first Screening Committee meeting, if the
assessment to decide grant of financial
upgradation is based on ACRs and other
service records, the employees who retired
after 9.8.1999 may also be considered by
the Screening Committee and, if
recommended for grant of financial
upgradation, such employees may be
allowed the benefit of ACPS from the due
date. If, however, the assessment also
includes passing of a trade test/skill
test/written examination (as prescribed for
regular promotion) under ACPS and the
employee had not qualified in such tests
already, then it may not be possible to
consider the retired persons, as
assessment based on such tests is not
possible after the date of superannuation.

35. Whether placement/appointment in Where all the posts are placed in a higher
higher scales of pay based on the scale of pay, with or without a change in the
recommendations of the Pay designation; without requirement of any
Commissions or Committees set up to new qualification for holding the post in the
rationalise the cadres is to be higher grade, not specified in the
reckoned as promotion/financial Recruitment Rules for the existing post, and
upgradation and offset against the two without involving any change in
financial upgradations applicable under responsibilities and duties, then placement
the ACP Scheme? of all the incumbents against such
upgraded posts is not be treated as
promotion/upgradation. Where, however,
 rationalisation/restructuring involves
creation of a number of new hierarchical
grades in the rationalised set up and some
of the incumbents in the pre-rationalised set
up are placed in the hierarchy of the
restructured set up in a grade higher than
the normal corresponding level taking into
consideration their length of service in
existing pre-structured/pre-rationalised
grade, then this will be taken as
promotion/upgradation.

If the rationalised/restructured grades

require possession of a specific nature of
qualification and experience, not specified
for the existing posts in pre-rationlised set
up, and existing incumbents in pre-
rationalised scales/pre-structured grades,
who are in possession of the required
qualification/ experience are placed directly
in the rationalised upgraded post, such
placement will also not be viewed as
promotion/upgradation. However, if existing
incumbents in the pre-rationalised grades
who do not possess the said qualification/
experience are considered for placement in
the corresponding rationalised grade only
after completion of specified length of
service in the existing grade, then such a
placement will be taken as
promotion/upgradation.

Where placement in a higher grade involves

assumption of higher responsibilities and
duties, then such upgradation will be
viewed as promotion/upgradation.

Where only a part of the posts are placed in

a higher scale and rest are retained in the
existing grade, thereby involving
redistribution of posts, then it involves
creation of another grade in the hierarchy
requiring framing of separate recruitment
rules for the upgraded posts. Placement of
existing incumbents to the extent of
upgradations involved, in the upgraded post
will also be treated as
promotion/upgradation and offset against
entitlements under the ACPS.

For any doubts in this regard, matter should

be referred to the Department of Personnel
and Training (Establishment ‘D’ Section)
giving all relevant details.

36. An employee was initially appointed on In reply to points of doubt No. 4 to 6 in

deputation in a grade higher than the DoP&T O.M. dated 10.2.2000, it has been
grade of the post held on regular basis stated that where a person is appointed on
and was subsequently absorbed direct recruitment/transfer basis from
against the ex-cadre post. Will such another post in the same grade, then past
initial period of deputation in the higher regular service as well as past promotions,
grade prior to date of absorption be in the earlier post, will be counted for
 counted towards residency period/ computing regular service for the purpose
‘regular service’ for purposes of of ACPS in the new hierarchy. The reason
ACPS? being that so long as service is in the same
scale during the period in question, it is
immaterial whether he has been holding
different posts in the same scale. However,
if the appointment is made to a post in a
higher grade, then such appointment ,
whether by direct recruitment or by transfer
or initially on deputation followed by
absorption, will be treated as direct
recruitment and past service/promotion
(which was in a different scale) will not be
counted

In the case where a person is appointed to

an ex-cadre post in higher scale initially on
deputation followed by absorption, while the
service rendered in the earlier post, which
was in a lower scale can not be counted,
there is no objection to the period spent
initially on deputation in the ex-cadre post
prior to absorption being counted towards
regular service for the purposes of grant of
financial upgradation under ACPS as it is in
the same scale of pay and same post.

37. Whether it is necessary to have SC/ST As clarified vide condition no. 12 of ACP
members in the Screening Committees Scheme (vide DoP&T O.M. dated
set up for grant of ACPS? 9.8.1999), reservation orders/roster shall
not apply to the ACP Scheme.
Consequently, it is not necessary to have
an officer from SC/ST communities on the
Screening Committee constituted for
deciding the suitability of the employee for
upgradations under ACPS.

38. A person has refused a vacancy-based The ACP Scheme has been introduced to
promotion offered to him prior to his provide relief in cases of acute stagnation
becoming eligible for financial where the employees, despite being eligible
upgradation under ACPS, on personal for promotion in all respects, are deprived of
grounds. Will he be eligible for financial regular promotion for long periods due to
upgradation under ACPS? non-availability of vacancies in the higher
grade. Cases of holders of isolated posts
have also been covered under ACPS, as
they do not have any promotional avenues.
A person had refused a regular However, where a promotion has been
promotion for personal reasons. He offered before the employee could be
has since completed 24 years’ of considered for grant of benefit under ACPS
service. Will he be entitled for 2nd but he refuses to accept such promotion,
financial upgradation? then he cannot be said to be stagnating as
he has opted to remain in the existing grade
on his own volition. As such, there is no
case for grant of ACPS in such cases. The
official can be considered for regular
promotion again after the necessary
debarment period.

In the second case also, since in terms of

condition No. 10 of the ACPS, on grant of
ACPS, the employee shall be deemed to
have given his unqualified acceptance for
 regular promotion on occurrence of
vacancy, the officer will have to give in
writing his acceptance of the regular
promotion when offered again after the
debarment period before he can be
considered for grant of second financial
upgradation under ACPS.

39. An employee is appointed to a lower Condition no. 14 of the ACPS (DoP&T O.M.
grade as a result of unilateral transfer dated 9.8.1999), inter-alia, states that in
on personal request in terms of FR case of transfer including unilateral transfer
15(2). Will the period of service on request, regular service rendered in
rendered in the higher post count for previous organisation shall be counted
the purposes of ACPS? along with regular service in the new
organisation for the purposes of getting
financial upgradation under the Scheme.
This condition covers cases where a
unilateral transfer is to a lower post.
However, financial upgradations under the
ACPS shall be allowed in the hierarchy of
the new post.

40. An employee drawing pay in the scale As the employee has remained in the scale
of Rs.800-1150 (pre-revised) was of Rs.800-1150 all along and has not
declared surplus and was re-deployed availed any promotion, he is entitled to two
as Peon in a Ministry through the financial upgradations in a scale higher than
Surplus Cell in the scale of Rs.750-940 Rs.800-1150 (pre-revised) irrespective of
(pre-revised). However, he was the post actually held after redeployment.
allowed to draw pay in the scale of Since in the Ministry, a Group ‘D’ employee
Rs.800-1150 as personal to him even is eligible for promotion to the grade of LDC
after redeployment in the lower grade. provided he is a matriculate and as a post
What shall be his entitlements under in the scale of Rs.825-1200 (S-4) is not in
ACPS? the normal hierarchy in the Secretariat,
such an employee can be considered for
two financial upgradations in the grades of
LDC and UDC provided he is a matriculate
Otherwise he will get only one financial
upgradation in the revised scale of Rs.825-
1200 (Rs.2750-4400 revised). Cases of
other persons re-deployed to lower posts
through the Surplus Cell may also be
regulated accordingly.

41. A cadre consists of 4 Grades - ‘A’, ‘B’, The benefit of ACP Scheme is to be allowed
‘C’ and ‘D’ (in ascending order). Upon as per the hierarchy existing, as on the date
restructuring of a cadre, Grade ‘B’ is the employees become eligible for financial
abolished from a date subsequent to upgradation under ACPS. .
9.8.1999. Employees recruited in Cadres/hierarchical structures are never
Grade ‘A’, who are eligible for financial static and are always subject to review
upgradation on or after 9.8.1999 but based on recommendations of Pay
before the date of effect of Commissions/Expert Committees or
restructuring, get first/second financial otherwise and it is not possible to review
upgradation in Grade ‘B’ and Grade ‘C’ the entitlements under ACPS already
respectively but those who become earned every time a cadre is reviewed.
eligible for financial upgradation after ACPS is only a temporary solution to
the restructuring has been effected are provide relief to stagnating employees and
entitled to first financial upgradation in the lasting solution for stagnation lies in
Grade ‘C’ and second financial review of cadre structures, as regular
upgradation in Grade ‘D’. This is promotions will be earned in such
anomalous. The cases of earlier set of restructured grades. All the employees will
employees should be reviewed and benefit from such cadre restructuring.
they may be allowed financial
 upgradations as applicable to the latter
category of employees.

42. An employee in Grade ‘A’ is eligible for Provisions in the existing Recruitment Rules
promotion simultaneously to Grades in various organisations providing for
‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ (in ascending order) with multiple channels for promotion are not
varying requirements of length of consistent with the guidelines on framing of
service in the present grade. In other the Recruitment Rules. All such Rules
words, he has multiple channels of should be reviewed immediately so as to
promotion. What shall be his eligibility provide only a single channel of promotion.
under the ACP? However, till such a review is undertaken,
the first financial upgradation in such cases
shall be allowed with reference to the
lowest promotional Grade which is Grade
‘B’ If he does not earn any promotion in 24
years, his second financial upgradation will
be as per the hierarchy of Grade ‘B’.
However, if he has already earned one
regular promotion, then his second financial
upgradation shall be as per the hierarchy of
the Grade to which he has been promoted.

43. Whether service rendered in an ACP Scheme is applicable to Central

autonomous body/statutory body/ Government Civilian employees and for the
State Government prior to appointment purpose of financial upgradations under the
in Central Government as a direct ACP Scheme, only the regular service
recruit prior to appointment in the rendered after regular appointment in a
Central Government will be counted Central Government civilian post is to be
while computing regular service for the counted. Therefore, service rendered in an
purpose of grant of financial autonomous body/statutory body/State
upgradations under the ACP Scheme? Government is not to be counted for the
purpose. Correspondingly, promotions
earned in these bodies prior to appointment
in the Central Government are also to be
ignored. The clarification in reply to point of
doubt no. 4 to 6 in DoP&T O.M. dated
10.2.2000 providing for counting of past
service in another organisation in the same
grade is only in relation to past service in a
civilian post held in the Central
Government.

44. On the basis of recommendations of In reply to point of doubt No. 10 in DoP&T

the Fifth Central Pay Commission, a O.M. dated 10.2.2000, it has been stated
uniform pay structure has been that the scales of pay for ACPS for isolated
introduced for Stenographers in the posts shall be same as those applicable for
non-Secretariat organisations whereby similar posts in the same
the posts have been distributed in the Ministry/Department/Cadre except where
ratio of [Link] in the grades of the Pay Commission has recommended
Stenographer Grade-III (Rs.4000- specific pay scales for mobility under ACPS.
6000), Stenographer Grade-II Such cases may be specifically examined
(Rs.5000-8000) and Stenographers by respective Ministries/Departments in
Grade-I (Rs.5500-9000) However, in a consultation with the Department of
particular non-Secretariat organisation, Personnel and Training. In the case of
there is only an isolated post of remaining isolated posts, the pay scales
Stenographer in the scale of Rs.4000- contained in Annexure-II of O.M. dated
6000. Will he be entitled to financial August 9, 1999 shall apply. Thus, hierarchy
upgradations in the scale of Rs.4500- in Annexure-II of O.M. dated August, 9,
7000 and Rs.5000-8000 as per 1999 applies where Pay Commission has
Annexure II to O.M. dated 9.8.1999 or not made any specific recommendation
can he be allowed financial regarding scales to be allowed under the
upgradations in the grades of ACPS and where it is not possible to
 Stenographer Grade-II and identify similar posts in same organisation.
Stenographer Grade-I ? In the case of stenographers in non-
Secretariat organisations, which is a
common category post, the Pay
Commission has recommended a uniform
grade structure for which has been
accepted by the Government. Since the
isolated post of Stenographer in scale of
Rs.4000-6000 in a subordinate office is
comparable to corresponding posts of
Stenographer Grade-III in other non-
Secretariat organisations under the same
Ministry, the uniform pay (grade) structure
for Stenographers may be adopted for the
purpose of allowing financial upgradations
to the said isolated post. In the instant case
of an isolated post of Stenographer
(Rs.4000-6000) in a non-Sect organisation,
first and the second financial upgradations
may be allowed in the scales of Rs.5000-
8000 (Steno Grade-II) and Rs.5500-9000
(Stenographer Grade-I) respectively
provided he is otherwise eligible. A similar
approach can be adopted in respect of all
other isolated posts belonging to common
categories for which Pay Commission has
similarly recommended a uniform grade
structure which has been accepted and
notified in part ‘B’ of the Ministry of Finance
notification dated September 30, 1997 or
agreed to by the Government subsequently.
If such an isolated post is in a Central
Ministry/Department, then the structure as
recommended and accepted for similar
common category posts in the Central
Ministry/ Department may be adopted. If the
isolated post is in a non-Secretariat
organisation, then the uniform hierarchy as
recommended for similar posts in the non-
Secretariat organisations may be followed.

45. In certain organisations, an employee If under the relevant Recruitment/Service

after his selection on direct recruitment Rules, the induction training counts towards
basis or even on promotion is required eligibility service for regular promotion, the
to undergo an induction training before same will also be counted towards the 12-
he is given a functional post. Whether years/24 years residency period/regular
such induction training shall count service required for financial upgradations
towards the eligibility service for under ACP Scheme.
ACPS?

A person is working in the immediate An ad-hoc promotion is made only in an

promotional grade on ad-hoc basis. Is exigency of work where the post cannot be
46. he eligible for financial upgradation kept vacant and such appointment is to be
under the ACP Scheme? Will his pay discontinued as soon as a regular
be refixed.? incumbent is appointed. In terms of existing
guidelines, continuation of such
arrangement beyond one year is also
subject to prior concurrence of DoP&T.
Thus such an employee can be reverted to
the original regular post at any moment.
Therefore, case of an employee holding the
 higher promotional grade/any other post on
ad-hoc basis, for grant of financial
upgradation under ACPS cannot be
ignored. Upon being recommended for
grant of financial upgradation in the higher
grade, his pay may be refixed with
reference to the pay drawn in the post held
on regular basis under FR 22 (I)(a)(i)
subject to a minimum benefit of Rs. 100 as
per the provisions of the ACPS. If, on pay
fixation under ACPS, the pay gets fixed at a
stage higher than the pay already drawn on
ad-hoc basis, he may be allowed such
higher pay.

An employee was allowed promotion in No. It will only be a switchover from the
a higher grade in terms of the Ministry existing scheme to the ACP Scheme as on
47. of Finance O.M No. 10(1)/[Link]/88 9.8.1999. While determining his
dated September 13, 1991. However, entitlements under ACPS on or after
on introduction of ACPS, the benefit of 9.8.1999, pay benefits already drawn upto
the said O.M. is to be withdrawn so as 9.8.1999 in the higher grade allowed under
to allow the benefits under the ACPS in the Scheme of September 13, 1991 are not
terms of the stipulation that no time to be recovered.
bound promotion/insitu promotion
scheme can run concurrently with the
ACPS. Will the benefit of higher grade
drawn prior to 9.8.1999 will also be
withdrawn?

48. Whether sealed cover procedure as Yes. Condition no. 11 of the ACP Scheme
laid down vide DoP&T O.M. No. issued vide DoP&T O.M. dated 9.8.1999
22011/4/91-Estt (A) dated 14.9.1992 is clearly states that in the matter of
to be followed in cases relating to ACP disciplinary/penalty proceedings, grant of
also? benefits under the ACP Scheme shall be
subject to rules governing normal
promotion. Therefore, when the employee
is exonerated, the recommendations of the
Screening Committee placed in a sealed
cover will be opened and its
recommendations acted upon. If he has
been recommended for grant of financial
upgradation, the benefit of the same will be
allowed from 9.8.1999 or from the date of
completion of 12/24 years regular service,
which ever is later. If, however, the
employee is not exonerated and a formal
penalty is imposed, sealed cover will not be
opened and the case of employee will be
considered only in the next meeting of the
Screening Committee. If such Screening
Committee, having regard to all relevant
facts, recommends grant of financial
upgradation, then such upgradation shall be
allowed only on expiry of the period of
penalty and not during the currency of the
penalty. If penalty imposed is Censure or
recovery of loss to the Government, then
such upgradation shall be allowed from the
date of meeting of the Screening
Committee which met to consider his case
subsequent to imposition of penalty. The
next financial upgradation shall be allowed
 only on completion of 12 years regular
service from the date from which the first
upgradation under the ACP is allowed and
not necessarily on completion of 24 years of
service.

49. Whether any period(s) of break-in- Break in service under FR 17A incurs only 3
service under FR 17A declared during specific disabilities as specified in the
the career of an employee will have relevant FR. It does not affect the normal
any adverse effect on his getting regular promotions. Consequently, it will
financial upgradation under the ACP have no affect on financial upgradation
Scheme? under the ACP Scheme.

50. Whether temporary service in respect If the redeployment through the Surplus
of a person who was declared surplus Cell is in the same/lower scale, such
and redeployed through the Surplus temporary service (and not an ad-hoc
Cell will be counted with the service) rendered prior to retrenchment may
subsequent regular service in the new count towards regular service for purposes
Organisation for purposes of the ACP of ACPS in the new organisation. If the
Scheme. What will be the position in redeployment is in a higher grade, regular
respect of those temporary employees service will count only from the date of
who at the time of retrenchment did not appointment in the new Organisation.
possess the required service to be However, this will not cover cases of those
taken on the rolls of Surplus cell and temporary employees who had put in less
were terminated but were offered fresh than the required length of service for being
appointment in a new organisation taken on the strength of the Surplus Cell
through the efforts of the parent and whose temporary service was
Ministry/Department. terminated but were given preference in
fresh appointment in the Government in
terms of DoP&T O.M. dated
27.3.1976/29.6.78 read with DoP&T O.M.
dated 22.1.1993. In their case, the past
temporary service before retrenchment
shall not count towards residency period for
grant of ACPS

51. Whether work charged staff is eligible If, in the matter of service conditions, work
to be covered under the ACPS? charged staff is comparable with the staff of
regular establishment, there is no objection
in extending the ACP Scheme to the work
charged staff.

52. Following the recommendations of the Normally, it is incorrect to have a feeder

Pay Commission, feeder and grade and a promotional grade in the same
promotional posts have been placed in scale of pay. In such cases, appropriate
the same scale. Consequently, course of action is to review the cadre
hierarchy of a post comprises of structure. If as a restructuring, feeder and
Grades ‘A’, ‘A’ and ‘C’ i.e. the entry promotional posts are merged to constitute
level and the first promotional grade one single level in the hierarchy, then in
are in the same scale. What shall be such a case, next financial upgradation will
his entitlements under ACPS. be in the next hierarchical grade above the
merged levels and if any promotion has
been allowed in the past in grades which
stand merged, it will have to be ignored as
already clarified in reply to point of doubt
No. 1 of O.M. dated 10.2.2000. However, if
for certain reasons, it is inescapable to
retain both feeder and promotional grades
as two distinct levels in the hierarchy
though in the same scale of pay, thereby
making a provision for allowing promotion to
a higher post in the same grade, it is
 inevitable that benefit of financial
upgradation under ACPS has also to be
allowed in the same scale. This is for the
reason that under the ACPS, financial
upgradation has to be allowed as per the
‘existing hierarchy’. Financial upgradation
cannot be allowed in a scale higher than the
next promotional grade. However, as
specified in condition No 9 of the ACP
Scheme (vide DoP&T O.M. dated
10.2.2000, pay in such cases shall be fixed
under the provisions of FR 22 (I)(a) (I)
subject to a minimum benefit of Rs.100.

53. If for promotion on regular basis, an In terms of condition No. 6 of, Annexure-I to
employee has to possess a higher/ DoP&T O.M. dated 9.8.1999, only those
additional qualification, will it be employees who fulfill all promotional norms
necessary to insist on possession of are eligible to be considered for benefit
these qualifications even while under ACPS. Therefore, various stipulations
considering grant of financial and conditions specified in the recruitment
upgradation under the ACPS? rules for promotion to the next higher grade,
including the higher/additional educational
qualification, if prescribed, would need to be
met even for consideration under ACPS.

54. Whether EOL without medical Unless the counting of such leave or any
certificate will count for computing other kind of leave is specifically excluded
regular service under ACPS under relevant rules governing promotions
for being counted towards regular service
for promotion (e.g. in some cases of
promotions under Flexible Complementing
Scheme), all kinds of leave including EOL
without medical grounds normally counts
towards regular service for promotion. EOL
without medical grounds will be similarly
treated while computing regular service for
purposes of grant of financial upgradation
under ACPS.

55. A cadre has been restructured with Financial upgradation under ACP Scheme
proper sanction but the recruitment is to be allowed under the hierarchy existing
rules for the restructured grades are as on 9.8.1999 or at the time one becomes
still to be framed. Whether the eligible, which ever is later. Since a new
individuals be granted financial hierarchy has come into being, financial
upgradation in the existing hierarchical upgradations may be allowed only in the
order or in the revised hierarchical restructured hierarchy. If model Recruitment
order introduced subsequently Rules exist for such restructured grades,
then Screening Committee may review
cases on the basis of such model Rules?
Otherwise, ACPS may be allowed after
finalisation of Recruitment Rules but the
benefit may be allowed from the due date.

56. The Fifth Central Pay Commission has Financial upgradations under ACPS are to
identified a number of common be allowed in the ‘existing hierarchy’.
category posts spread across various However, in reply to point of doubt No. 2, it
Ministries/ Departments as well as in has already been clarified that existing
Offices outside the Secretariat as hierarchy in relation to a cadre would mean
discussed in chapter 55 of its report the restructured grades recommended by
and also in other Chapters and has the Fifth Central Pay Commission. Further,
made recommendations for adoption as an example, in reply to point of doubt no.
of uniform grade/cadre structure 19, it has been stated that in order to
 subject to functional needs of an secure upward mobility of library staff under
individual organisation. In a large the ACPS, it has been decided to adopt the
organisation, all the hierarchical levels pay structure as notified by the Ministry of
as per uniform cadre/grade structure Finance vide O.M. dated July 24, 1990
may be created while in a smaller subject to the terms and conditions
office, a few levels of the uniform specified by them. Therefore, the ACPS
hierarchical structure may not be already envisages that in respect of
introduced keeping in view the common category posts, if the Government
functional needs of the organisation. has accepted a uniform standard
Consequently, while in a larger hierarchical structure, then ‘existing
organisation/cadre, promotions are hierarchy’ in relation to such common
allowed in consecutive hierarchical categories shall be the standard hierarchy
grades, in a smaller cadre, promotions as approved by the Government and not
involve substantial jumps though in the hierarchy in a particular office, which,
such cases, the requirement of period for functional considerations may not have
of regular service in the feeder grade all the grades. If such financial upgradations
as specified in the Recruitment Rules are allowed keeping purely such local
may be longer. Since, under ACPS, the hierarchy in view, it will result in vast
requirement of longer regular service disparities in entitlements under ACPS for
in the feeder grade for promotion to identical category of posts which cannot be
such higher levels is not reckoned justified. It has the potential of generating
while considering financial huge disquiet and unrest, which will not be
upgradations, it results in a situation in public interest.
where persons belonging to common
category and recruited at same time in
same entry grades are entitled to
financial upgradations in vastly If, however, the Fifth Central Pay
different grades under ACPS. Is it not Commission has recommended a specific
anomalous? pay structure/ACP grades for a particular
category in an organisation, which may
seemingly belong to a common category,
then the mobility under ACPS in respect of
such specific posts in that organisation shall
be through the grade structure/ACPS
grades recommended for that organisation,
if the same has been approved by the
Government, and not the standard
grade/hierarchical structure recommended
for such common category.

57. Whether an employee who has not In para 6 of DoP&T O.M. dated 10.2.2000,
been recommended for grant of it has been provided that the Screening
financial upgradation under ACPS by a Committee shall meet twice in a financial
Screening Committee can be year – preferably in the first week of
considered by the next Screening January and July for advance processing of
Committee to be held in the other half the cases maturing in the respective half of
of the year or one held only on expiry the financial year concerned. Normally, a
of one year? case, once considered, should be reviewed
only in the Screening Committee to be held
after one year. However, if an additional
ACR report has become available in
respect of such an employee before cases
are processed for placing the other cases
before the Screening Committee to be held
in the second half, or if there is any other
development which makes a material
change in the matter of assessment from
the position obtaining when the case was
considered earlier by the Screening
Committee, there is no objection to the case
of such employee being considered in the
subsequent Screening Committee to be
 held in the other half of the year. As regards
date of effect for grant of ACPS in such
cases, it is clarified that ACPS is applicable
on 9.8.1999 or from date of completion of
12/24 years of regular service only in those
cases where the employee is found fit for
grant of ACPS at the first opportunity. If,
however, he is found suitable only by a
subsequent Screening Committee, the
benefit of ACPS will be allowed to him only
from the date of meeting of the Screening
Committee in which he is recommended for
grant of ACP. If the first financial
upgradation is deferred in this manner, the
second financial upgradation shall be
allowed only after completion of 12 years of
regular service from the date of first
financial upgradation subject to fulfillment of
the prescribed conditions. In this regard
condition no. 4 of the Scheme is relevant.

58. (i) An Inspector in a CPO in the pay ACPS only allows financial upgradation and
scale of Rs.6500-10500 is entitled to cannot be equated with regular promotion
benefits like Ration Allowance, though normal promotion norms are
Washing Allowance, Leave insisted for grant of this financial
encashment for working on holidays, upgradation. Even after grant of financial
bonus etc. Some of these benefits are upgradation which is allowed as personal to
not admissible to incumbents of posts the employee, he continues to hold the
in the grade of Assistant Commandant original post on regular basis, with same
(Rs.8000-13,500). Will the Inspector designation, classification, duties and
continue to get these benefits upon responsibilities etc. In other words, except
grant of financial upgradation in the being allowed to draw pay in a higher grade
grade of Assistant Commandant. the employee continues to be regular
incumbent of the post to which he has been
selected on regular basis as per the
Recruitment Rules.
(ii) Officers in the higher promotional
grade are entitled to facilities like Therefore, if there are certain perks and
telephone at residence, reimbursement benefits, which are applicable to an
of cost of newspaper/magazines, employee as a result of his holding a
which are not admissible to feeder particular post, the same will continue to be
grade post holder. Which such facilities available to him, notwithstanding the fact
are available when feeder grade holder that he may be placed in a higher grade on
is allowed financial upgradation under personal basis under ACPS. On the same
Caps in the grade of higher analogy in the second case, except the
promotional post. entitlements like higher advance, HBA etc.
which are linked to pay scale rather than
status of the higher post, no privileges
related to status of the higher post will be
applicable in the event of grant of financial
upgradation in the grade of the higher post.
This has been clarified in condition No. 6 of
the ACP Scheme introduced vide O.M.
dated 9.8.1999 also.

59. Where the Strength of Staff Car As in the case of Stenographers discussed
Drivers is not sufficient to introduce the in point of doubt No. 44 above, Staff Car
Staff Car Driver Scheme notified by Drivers in such organisations may be
DoP&T, or where the organisation allowed financial upgradations in the scales
consciously decides to opt for the as applicable under the Staff Car Driver
ACPS, how is the ACP to be regulated Scheme on completion of 12/24 years of
in case of such Staff Car Drivers. regular service subject to passing of the
 trade tests as specified in the Scheme.
However, where the Staff Car Driver
Scheme is applicable, ACPS is not
applicable.

No.22034/5/2001-Estt(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

New Delhi 110001

August 20, 2001

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION SCHEME (ACPS) FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES – CLARIFICATION REGARDING

The undersigned is directed to invite attention of the Ministries/Departments to this Department’s Office
Memorandum No.35034/1/97-Estt(D)([Link]) dated 10.2.2000 furnishing clarifications to various points of
doubts raised by the Ministries/Departments about certain issues in connection with the implementation of the
ACP Scheme. In reply to point of doubt No.29 whether the upgradations under ACPS are to be allowed to the
employees who are on deputation in other organisations/on training/on study leave, following clarification was
furnished:

"It has been clarified vide Condition No.6 of ACPS that such upgradation shall not
entitle for deputation to higher posts. Therefore, as a corollary, upgradation under
ACPS shall be allowed, in respect of employees who are on deputation, only on
notional basis, as otherwise such upgradation in the cadre may have a bearing on the
deputation pay of the official. However, an employee will get the actual benefit on the
basis of such notional pay fixation under ACPS with prospective effect only on
repatriation. Similarly, since an employee draws leave salary while on leave, he will get
similar treatment as allowed to a person on deputation. However, upgradation under
ACPS may be allowed to an employee who is on training as he is on duty for all
practical purposes".

2. A number of Ministries/Departments/Organisations have reported to this Department that due to the

provision for admissibility of financial upgradation under ACPS only on notional basis during the period of
deputation, officers who have availed the higher scale under ACPS in their cadre, or are expecting the same
shortly, are reluctant to opt for appointment on deputation to ex-cadre posts and many persons who are
already on deputation have also opted to revert to the parent cadre on availing the ACP benefit without
completing the period of deputation. This has created problems in securing the services of suitable persons
for appointment against ex-cadre posts. DoP&T has been requested to review the existing provisions of the
ACPS in this regard.

3. Accordingly, the matter has been examined and keeping in view the problems faced by various
Ministries/Departments/Organisations in filling up the ex-cadre posts, it has been decided that while eligibility
of an employee for appointment against an ex-cadre post in terms of the provisions of the Recruitment Rules
of the ex-cadre post will continue to be determined with reference to the post/pay scale of the post held in the
parent cadre on regular basis (and not with reference to the higher scale granted under ACPS), such an
officer, in the event of his selection, may be allowed to opt to draw pay in the higher scale under ACP Scheme
without deputation allowance during the period of deputation, if it is more beneficial than the normal
entitlements under the existing general orders regulating pay on appointment on deputation basis.
Clarification to point of doubt No.29 in this Department’s O.M. dated 10.2.2000 ibid stands amended to the
above extent. There is no change in the clarification relating to admissibility of ACPS to persons on leave/on
training.

4. Past cases, decided otherwise on the basis of the earlier clarification, may also be reviewed in the light of
the above decision.

5. All Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the above decision to the notice of all concerned for
immediate action.
 (ALOK SAXENA)
DEPUTY SECRETARY TO THE GOVT. OF INDIA

All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India

Copy to:-

1. The President’s Secretariat, New Delhi.

2. Vice-President’s Secretariat, New Delhi.

3. The Prime Minister’s Office, New Delhi.

4. The Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.

5. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi.

6. The Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi.

7. Cabinet Secretariat, New Delhi.

8. Central Vigilance Commission, New Delhi.

9. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India, New Delhi.

10. The Union Public Service Commission, New Delhi.

11. All attached offices under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

12. The Secretary, National Commission for Minorities.

13. The Secretary, National Commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.

14. The Secretary, Staff Side, National Council (JCM),13-C, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi.

15. All Staff Side Members of the National Council (JCM.)

16. NIC (DoP&T) for placing this Office Memorandum on the website of DoP&T

17. All Sections/Officers in DoP&T

18. Facilitation Centre, DoP&T (20 copies)

19. Establishment (D) Section, DoP&T (200 copies).

No.35014/1/2003-Estt(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel , Public. Grievances. & Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

New Delhi-100001
Dated June 29, 2004

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Assured Career Progression (ACP) Scheme for the Central Government Civilian Employees –
clarification regarding.
In terms of the provisions of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) Scheme introduced by the Department of
Personnel & Training vide Office Memorandum No. 35034/1/1997 –Estt (D) dated August 9,1999, the
extension of the benefit of higher pay scales under the ACP Scheme, in accordance with the existing
hierarchy, is subject to fulfilment of certain conditions enumerated in Annexure I of the said Office
Memorandum. Condition number 6 provides for fulfillment of the normal promotion norms (bench-mark,
departmental examination, seniority-cum-fitness in case of Gr. D employees etc.) prescribed in the
Recruitment Rules. It has further been clarified in reply to point of doubt number 53 of DoPT Office
Memorandum No. 35034/1/97-Estt-D ([Link]) dated 18th July, 2001 that various conditions specified in the
Recruitment Rules for promotion to the next higher grade, including the higher/additional educational
qualification, if prescribed, would need to be met even for consideration under the ACP Scheme.

2. A doubt has been expressed as to whether the requirement of fulfilment of all promotional norms even for
ACP Scheme will include the requirement of fulfillment of minimum eligibility service prescribed in the
Recruitment Rules for promotion to next higher grade in the hierarchy.

3. In this regard, it is pointed out that, in terms of condition number 4 of the ACP Scheme, the first financial
upgradation shall be allowed after 12 years of regular service and the second financial upgradation after 12
years of regular service from the date of the first financial upgradation, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed
conditions. Condition number 5.1 further provides that two financial upgradations under the ACP Scheme
shall be available only if no regular promotions during the prescribed periods (12 and 24 years) have been
availed by an employee. If an employee has already received one regular promotion, he shall qualify for the
second financial upgradation only on completion of 24 years of regular service under the Scheme. Condition
number 15 provides that, subject to condition number 4, where the employees have already completed 24
years of regular service, with or without a promotion, the second financial upgradation under the Scheme
shall be granted directly.

4. It is, therefore, clear from harmonious reading of condition number 6 of the ACP Scheme with the other
conditions and stipulations of the Scheme that, while a person has to be eligible in all other aspects
(educational qualification, departmental examination, skill/trade test, bench mark etc.) to hold the higher post,
in terms of the Recruitment Rules, the scale of which is being considered under the ACP Scheme, insofar as
the requirement of "eligibility service" is concerned, the only requirement is that he should have completed
the prescribed 12 or 24 years’ regular service, as the case may be, counted from the direct entry grade.

5. In fact, this condition has been further relaxed in respect of cases where an employee has moved from one
post to another post on direct recruitment/absorption basis or on deputation basis, followed by absorption. In
such cases, as clarified in reply to point of doubt number 4-6 of O.M. No. 35034/1/97-Estt-D ([Link]) dated
10th February, 2000, past service in the same grade can also be counted towards the regular service.

6. The Staff Side (National Council), JCM have brought to notice that certain Departments are insisting on
completion of 2 years’ regular service before grant of first financial upgradation under ACP Scheme in the
grade of Peon in respect of Safaiwalas, Malis, Watchman etc. who were appointed as Peon in the same pay
scale on lateral transfer basis under the 25 % quota earmarked for them, even though they have completed
the required 12 years’ regular service in that grade at the time of appointment as Peon or immediately
thereafter. In view of the position stated in para-4 above, a Safaiwala, Watchman etc. when appointed as
Peon may be considered for grant of first financial upgradation on completion of 12 years’ regular service in
the grade of Rs. 2550-3200 (S-1), including the past service in that grade, without insistence on further
completion of 2 years’ regular service in the grade of Peon.

7. Hindi version will follow.

(Alok Saxena)
Director

To

All Ministries/Departments of Govt. of India.

Copy to:-

1. The President’s Secretariat, New Delhi.

2. The Prime Minister’s Office, New Delhi.

3. Cabinet Secretariat, New Delhi.

4. Rajya Sabha Secretariat/ Lok Sabha Secretariat,, New Delhi.

5. The Registrar General, The Supreme Court of India.

6. The Registrar, Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi.

7. The Comptroller and Audit General of India, New Delhi.

8. The Union Public Service Commission, with reference to their letter No. 11/16/2003-AUC dated 4th March,
2004 (20 copies).

9. The Staff Selection Commission, New Delhi.

10. All attached offices under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

11. National Commission for SCs/STs, New Delhi.

12. Secretary, National Council(JCM), 13, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi

13. Establishment Officer & A.S.

14. National Commission for OBCs, New Delhi.

15. All Officers and Sections in the Department of Personnel and Training.

16. Facilitation Center, DoP&T(20 copies).

17. NIC (DoP&T) for placing this Office Memorandum on the Website of DoP&T

18. Establishment (D) Section (200 copies).

No.35034/1/2000-Estt(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel , Public. Grievances. & Pensions
(Department of Personnel and Training)

New Delhi-100001
Dated September 12, 2003