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Annual Increment Date: 1 January or 1 July? CCS (RP) Rule 10
The Two Increment Dates
There are two dates for increment, 1 January and 1 July, but you get only one annual increment, on one of them (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 10(1), PDF p. 28). Your date depends on when you were appointed, promoted or granted a financial upgradation, including under MACPS (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 10(2), PDF p. 28):
| Date of appointment, promotion or upgradation | Your increment date |
|---|---|
| 2 January to 1 July (both inclusive) | 1 January (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 10(2), PDF p. 28) |
| 2 July to 1 January (both inclusive) | 1 July (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 10(2), PDF p. 28) |
Examples Given in the Rule
- Appointed or promoted between 2 July 2016 and 1 January 2017: first increment on 1 July 2017, then every year after that (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 10, Illustration (a), PDF p. 28).
- Appointed or promoted between 2 January 2016 and 1 July 2016, with no increment drawn on 1 July 2016: next increment on 1 January 2017, then every year after that (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 10, Illustration (b), PDF p. 28).
Promoted on 1 January or 1 July: The Six-Month Condition
- Before 1.1.2016, the single increment date was 1 July, and the increment was given on 1 July only if you had six months' service (DoE OM dated 31.07.2018, para 4, PDF p. 1).
- The Department of Expenditure has clarified that if you are promoted or upgraded (including under MACP) on 1 January or 1 July and your pay is fixed under Rule 13, your first increment in the new Level comes on the following 1 July or 1 January, provided you strictly complete six months' qualifying service (DoE OM dated 31.07.2018, para 5, PDF p. 2).
- After that first increment, the next one comes only after one year (DoE OM dated 31.07.2018, para 5, PDF p. 2).
Increments, Leave and Retirement
- An increment moves you down one Cell in your Level of the Pay Matrix. For example, Rs 32,300 in Level 4 becomes Rs 33,300 (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 9, PDF p. 28).
- If your increment date falls while you are on earned leave, commuted leave, half pay leave or leave not due, the increase is paid from the day you rejoin. Your increment date does not change (DoPT Information document on increment, para 5, PDF p. 2).
- If you retire on 30 June or 31 December, a day before the increment date, DoPT allows a notional increment on 1 July or 1 January, if you have the qualifying service with satisfactory work and good conduct (DoPT OM dated 20.05.2025, para 6, PDF p. 2).
- That notional increment counts only for calculating pension, not for other pensionary benefits (DoPT OM dated 20.05.2025, para 6, PDF p. 2). Following the Supreme Court's order, for third parties (retirees who were not parties to the court cases) pension with this increment is payable on and after 01.05.2023 (DoPT OM dated 20.05.2025, para 3(a), PDF p. 1).
Where to Check
Read Rule 10 of the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 10, PDF p. 28) and the Department of Expenditure clarification dated 31.07.2018 (DoE OM dated 31.07.2018, PDF p. 1).
- These rules apply to civil posts under the Union whose pay is charged to the Civil Estimates, and to the Indian Audit and Accounts Department (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 2(1), PDF p. 22).
- They do not apply to people not in whole-time employment or paid from contingencies (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 2(2), PDF p. 22), or to contract staff (unless the contract says otherwise) and re-employed pensioners, among others (CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 2(2), PDF p. 23).
- If you work in Railways, Defence, Delhi Police, or an autonomous body such as KVS or NVS, confirm with your accounts or establishment section which pay rules and orders your employer applies.
Related Questions
I joined service on 1 July. When is my increment?
On 1 January. Rule 10(2) treats 2 January to 1 July, both days included, as one block whose increment date is 1 January.
I was promoted on 15 October. When is my next increment?
On 1 July, because promotions between 2 July and 1 January get their increment on 1 July (Rule 10(2)).
Do I need six months' service before my first increment?
For promotion or upgradation on 1 January or 1 July, the DoE OM of 31.07.2018 says the first increment in the new Level comes on the next 1 July or 1 January only if six months' qualifying service is strictly completed.
I retire on 30 June. Do I get the 1 July increment?
Under DoPT's OM of 20.05.2025, you get a notional increment on 1 July for calculating pension only, if you have the qualifying service with satisfactory work and good conduct.
My increment fell due during earned leave. Is it lost?
No. The increment is paid from the date you rejoin, and your increment date stays the same.
Official Sources
- Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 (G.S.R. 721(E) dated 25.07.2016, with Pay Matrix) · Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India
- DoE OM No. 4-21/2017-IC/E.IIIA dated 31.07.2018: Date of next increment under Rule 10 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2016 · Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India
- DoPT OM No. 13/2/2022-Estt.(Pay-I) dated 12.09.2022: Information document on increment · Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India
- DoPT OM No. 19/116/2024-Pers.Pol.(Pay)(Pt) dated 20.05.2025: Notional increment on 1 July or 1 January for employees retiring on 30 June or 31 December · Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India
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This article explains the official rules as published; it is not legal advice. Check the cited document, and your own department's orders, before acting.