Key Highlights
- 1 Clarification on Change of Date of Next Increment (DNI) Under Rule-10 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2016 | DOP Directorate Order 07.11.2024
- 2 Key Clarification on Date of Next Increment (DNI) and Pay Fixation
- 3 How Date of Next Increment (DNI) Changes for Employees Promoted After MACP:
- 4 Why this clarification is so important for Postal employees
- 5 Overpayments and Recovery
- 6 Conclusion
Clarification on Change of Date of Next Increment (DNI) Under Rule-10 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2016 | DOP Directorate Order 07.11.2024
Date of Next Increment (DNI) Under Rule-10 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2016: Now a reference has come in seeking clarification whether in case of promotion to a higher post or grant of non-functional scale after availing financial upgradation under MACP scheme, the Date of Next Increment (DNI) would be changed or altered as mandated under Rule 10 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2016.
“Whether or not the Date of Next Increment (DNI) will be changed in terms of Rule 10 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2016 in respect of those employees who are promoted on regular basis on the posts carrying higher pay scales / granted non functional scale in the higher pay level subsequent to availing financial upgradation under MACP scheme in lieu of that regular promotion/non-functional scale.”
This matter has also been discussed in consultation with nodal departments, including the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoP&T). The DoE clarified in their Notification No.03-27/2020-E.III (Part-II) dated 13.08.2024 that DoE OM issued on dated 28.11.2019 relating to DNI under 7th CPC regime would be applicable only where the pay at the time of regular promotion or grant of non-functional scale is settled under Rule 13 of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2016.
It further clarifies through Notification No.35034/08/2024-P.P. D(MACP) dated 14.10.2024 that increments under both promotion and MACP fall within the same rule FR 22(1)(a)(1). Thus, paying twice increment benefits-the MACP benefit and the increment benefit due on promotion/non-functional scale-would act against the senior employee, resulting in pay anomalies. As such, DoE’s OM dated 31.07.2018 and 28.11.2019 shall not be applicable for placements made as per DoP&T OM dated 04.07.2017.
It is clarified that when the promotion or non-functional scale is granted after availing financial upgradation under the MACP scheme, pay fixation is done as per Rule 13 of CCS (RP) Rules and, on such promotion, DNI will be adjusted as per Rule-10 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2016, and the next increment will be admissible on 1st July of the following year.
Key Clarification on Date of Next Increment (DNI) and Pay Fixation
There have been many queries arising regarding an important question as to whether, in regard to the employees, who are brought in regularly for promotion through higher pay scales or sanctioned non-functional scale upon availment of financial upgradation based on MACP, DNI would be changed.
This is what DoE, Department of Expenditure, and DoP&T, Department of Personnel and Training say:
1. DoE Clarification: DoE clarified that the OM dated 28.11.2019 pertaining to DNI under the 7th CPC regime shall apply only when the pay at the time of regular promotion or nonfunctional scale is fixed under Rule 13 of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2016. It deals with pay fixation for Central government employees on promotions or upgradations.
Download Now ⇒ DoE Clarification: Date of Next Increment (DNI) Under Rule 10
2. DoP&T Clarification: MACP and promotion are considered to be of equal nature when the increment comes from FR 22(1)(a)(1). This will amount to pay anomalies since junior employees would end up receiving benefits at the cost of senior employees. Hence, DNI in such cases would not be changed.
3. Important Note on DNI Change: If the employee selects to have his pay fixed on DNI, then CCS (RP) Rules Rule 10 is applicable. The said rule states that DNI shall be changed to 01st July of the succeeding year. Therefore, in view of this, the next annual increment of the employee would get admissible on 01.07.2023 if all other conditions are satisfied.
How Date of Next Increment (DNI) Changes for Employees Promoted After MACP:
Employees, who got promotions after drawl of MACP benefit, have different choices wherein DNI might either remain the same or be stabilized at new on promotion time option. There is an accompanying examples so the employees find this more meaningful. As an illustration.
Example 1: Postal Assistant
- 1. Date of initial Appointment: 25.03.2010 A postal assistant appointed for the very first time under GP2400/level4.
- 2. First MACP: The MACP is granted to the employee on 25.03.2020 in Level 5.
- 3. Date of Pay Fixation: The choice for pay fixation is w.e.f. DNI as 01.07.2020.
Outcome: The DNI stands at 01.07.2021, with the next increment falling on 01.07.2021 under Rule10 of CCS (RP) Rules.
Example 2: Assistant Accounts Officer (AAO)
1. Promotion After MACP: On 08.12.2022, the employee was promoted to Assistant Accounts Officer (Level 8).
2. Pay Fixation Options:
- If the employee desires to fix his pay w.e.f. DNI, which is 01.01.2023, then DNI will be 1st January and the next increment will fall due on 01.01.2024.
- If the employee desires a pay fixation without an increment, under FR22(1)(a)(1), the DNI gets changed to 1st July and the next increment will be due on 01.07.2023.
Why this clarification is so important for Postal employees
This update is important for government employees, especially those who have benefited from the MACP and are awaiting the effect of promotion or nonfunctional scale grants. It enables an employee to plan his financial progression by keeping in mind the increment, improvement, and effects of particular promotions along with the MACP.
1. Increment Date Affecting Annual Pay Increase: If employees understand the increment date and rules, they can predict when they will get the annual pay increase.
2. Elimination of Pay Anomalies: With this explanation, there will be no pay anomalies since there will not be an incidence of the employee getting increments within a very short time span.
Overpayments and Recovery
In this clarification, the authorities have also added that any pay fixation made before should be scrutinized if it does not match with the new directives. Whatever over-payment is found from such cases should be recovered from the respective employees.
Conclusion
In brief, DNI will be revised under the CCS (RP) Rules, 2016 as per the applicable promotion or NF scale sanctioned while granting MACP. Those employees who have elected for pay fixation w.e.f. DNI must be aware that their DNI might shift to 1st July and the next increment would become due in July. The clarification removes the myth of the possible DNI/paying fixation apparently due to MACP and promotions.
This will help government employees stay well-informed about their rights and entitlements with regard to promotions, pay fixation, and increments.
This blog post clarifies the recent DNI rules and gives examples to government employees on how their pay fixation works after MACP. The optimization of the DNI process has now enabled employees to better understand when they will receive their next increment and avoid potential pay discrepancies.
