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MACP Scheme Under 7th CPC: Upgradations at 10, 20, 30 Years
The Basic Rule
- There are three financial upgradations, counted from the direct entry grade, on completion of 10, 20 and 30 years of service, or 10 years of continuous service in the same Level in the Pay Matrix, whichever is earlier (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 1, PDF p. 4).
- You move only to the immediate next higher level in the Pay Matrix. This can be lower than the level of your actual promotion post. The promotion post's level is given only on regular promotion (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 2, PDF p. 4).
- Upgradations are admissible up to Level 15 (HAG) (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 3, PDF p. 4).
- DoPT adopted these rules for the 7th CPC through its OM of 27.09.2016 (DoPT OM 27.09.2016, para 3, PDF p. 1). The scheme continues to be effective from 01.09.2008 (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, para 8, PDF p. 2).
Who Is Covered
- All regularly appointed Group A (except Organised Group A Services), Group B and Group C civilian employees are covered (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, para 3, PDF p. 1).
- Casual employees, including those with temporary status, and ad hoc or contract staff are not covered (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, para 3, PDF p. 1).
- The scheme applies directly only to Central Government civilian employees. Autonomous and statutory bodies may extend it subject to conditions (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 14, PDF p. 6).
Conditions You Must Meet
- Benchmark: 'Very Good' for all levels, for upgradations falling due on or after 25.07.2016. APARs for 2016-17 onwards are assessed against this benchmark (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 17(i), PDF p. 6). The 2016 OM brought in this change from 25 July 2016 (DoPT OM 27.09.2016, paras 5 and 6, PDF p. 2).
- Regular service starts from regular joining in the direct entry grade. Casual, ad hoc or contract service before regular appointment does not count (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 9, PDF p. 5). Past service in a State Government, statutory or autonomous body or PSU does not count (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 10, PDF p. 6).
- Regular service includes deputation, foreign service, study leave and other sanctioned leave (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 11, PDF p. 6).
- A Screening Committee considers cases and meets twice a year, in the first week of January and the first week of July (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, paras 4 and 6, PDF p. 2).
- If an upgradation is deferred because you were unfit or due to departmental proceedings, later upgradations are deferred to the same extent (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 15, PDF p. 6).
- If you refuse a regular promotion offered before the upgradation falls due, no upgradation is allowed (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 24, PDF p. 9).
Pay Fixation and an Example
- The pay fixation benefit available on regular promotion, as prescribed in para 13 of the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016, is also allowed on MACP (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 4(i), PDF p. 4). You may opt to fix pay from the date of upgradation or from your next increment date, 1 January or 1 July (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 7, PDF p. 5).
- There is no change in designation or status (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 16, PDF p. 6). Pay drawn under MACP counts for terminal benefits (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 21, PDF p. 8).
Example from DoPT: you join in Level 2 and get your first promotion to Level 4 after 8 years. With no further promotion, you get the 2nd MACP to Level 5 after 18 years (8 + 10) (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 27 A(i), PDF p. 9), and the 3rd MACP to Level 6 after 28 years (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 27 A(ii)(a), PDF p. 10).
Where to Check
Read DoPT's consolidated guidelines of 22.10.2019 and Annexure-I (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, PDF p. 1), with the OM of 27.09.2016 (DoPT OM 27.09.2016, PDF p. 1).
Organised Group A Services are outside the scheme (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, para 1, PDF p. 1). A department may keep its own time-bound or in-situ promotion scheme instead, but not both together (DoPT OM 22.10.2019, Annexure-I, para 13, PDF p. 6). If you work in Railways or another organisation with its own scheme, check your own orders.
Related Questions
Can I get MACP before 10 years of total service?
No. Upgradations are at 10, 20 and 30 years, or after 10 continuous years in the same pay level, whichever is earlier (Annexure-I, para 1, DoPT OM 22.10.2019).
What APAR grading is needed for MACP?
'Very Good' for all levels, for upgradations due on or after 25.07.2016, applied to APARs from 2016-17 onwards (para 17).
Does MACP give me the pay level of my promotion post?
Not always. MACP gives only the immediate next level in the Pay Matrix. The promotion post's level comes only on actual promotion (para 2).
Does service in a State Government count for MACP?
No. Past service in a State Government, statutory or autonomous body or public sector organisation does not count as regular service (para 10).
What happens if I refuse a promotion?
If you refuse a promotion before the upgradation falls due, no upgradation is allowed. If you refuse after getting MACP, it is not withdrawn, but the next one is deferred (para 24).
Official Sources
- DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-Estt.(D) dated 22.10.2019: Consolidated guidelines on MACPS · Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India
- DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-Estt.(D) dated 27.09.2016: MACPS, implementation of 7th CPC recommendations · 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.