Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS)
Assured Career Progression (ACP)
MACP Scheme
2.1 In Para 6.1.15 of 6th CPC report recommended for Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS). The scheme is in supersession of previous ACP scheme of 1999. The MACP was implemented w.e.f. 01/09/2008 (The date of implementation of 6th CPC recommendations) and the benefits of ACP scheme of August 2008 was admissible upto 31/08/2008.
2.2 MACP scheme envisages three financial upgradation in the immediate next higher Grapde Pay of the Grade Pay hierarchy of the recommended revised pay bands and Grade pay as given in Section I, Part A of the first schedule of the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008.
2.3 On completion of 10/20/30 years of regular service which is counted from the direct entry grade either on direct recruitment or on absorption/re-employment basis. The Scheme is applicable to all posts belonging to Group ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ categories of employees whether isolated or not except officers of the Organized Group ‘A’ service [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) dtd: 19/05/2009].
2.4 MACP scheme is fundamentally based on Grade Pay hierarchy irrespective of posts where next higher Grade Pay according to Grape Pay hierarchy is available or not. Further many clarifications were issued from time to time.
2.5 The process of implementation of MACP scheme is counted from the direct entry grade on completion of 10/20/30 years of services respectively or 10 years of continuous service in same Level in Pay Matrix (with implementation of 7th CPC), whichever is earlier [Para 2 of DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-Estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
2.6 MACP Scheme is directly applicable to all Central Government Civilian employees. The Scheme may be extended to employee of Central Autonomous/Statutory Bodies under the administrative control of Ministry/Department subject to fulfillment of conditions prescribed in DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2010-Estt.(D) dtd: 03/08/2010 [Para 14 of DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
2.7 With the implementation of 7th CPC, MACP scheme envisages merely placement in the immediate next higher level in the hierarchy of the Pay Matrix as given in Part-A of Schedule of the CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
2.8 The MACP scheme would be applicable upto the Level 15 in the Pay Matarix, corresponding to the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG)[ DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
2.9 Promotions earned in the post carrying same Pay Level in the promotional hierarchy as per Recruitment Rules shall be counted for the post of MACP scheme [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
2.10 If a financial upgradation under MACP is deferred and allowed after 10 years in a level due to the reason of the employees being unfit or due to departmental proceedings etc, this would have consequential effect on the subsequent financial upgradation which would also be deferred to the extent of delay in grant of first financial upgradation [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
2.11 On grant of financial upgradation under MACP scheme, there shall be no change in the designation, classification or higher status. However, financial and certain other benefits which are linked to the pay drawn by an employee such as HBA, allotment Government accommodation shall be permitted [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
2.12 The financial upgradation under MACP scheme is 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 employees on the ground that the junior employee in the grade has got higher pay/Leve under MACP scheme.
2.13 With the implementation of 7th CPC, MACP scheme will continue to be administered at 10 (MACP-I /20 (MACP-II)/30 (MACP-III) years of continuous service to all posts in posts including Group ‘A’ posts, whether isolated or not. However, Organised Group ‘A’ Services will not be covered under the scheme. I other words, MACPS will continue to be applicable to all employees upto HAG level, except member os Organised Group ‘A’ services [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-Estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
2.14 The financial upgrdatin would be on non-functional basis subject to fitness in the hierarchy of pay band grade pay within PB [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
Departmental Screening Committee (DSC)
3.1 A Screening committee is required to be constituted in each Department to consider the case for grant of financial upgradations under the MACP Scheme [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
3.2 The Screening committee shall consist of a Chairperson and two members [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
3.3 The members of Screening Committee constituted for grant of financial upgradation under MACP scheme shall comprise officers holding post which are at least one level above the level in which the MACP is to be considered and not below the rank of Under Secretary equivalent in the Government [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
3.4 The chairman of Screening Committee should be a level above the members of the Committee[DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
3.5 In cases where the appointing authority is the President of India and the Screening Committee is constituted in the Secretariat of the ministry/Department, then the power to approve the recommendations of the Screening Committee is delegated to the Secretary of such Ministry of Department [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
3.6 In cases where the appointing authority is the President of India and the Screening Committee is constituted in an organization viz. branch office, subordinate office etc. then the power to approve the recommendations of the Screening Committee is delegated to the Head of (Department (HOD) [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
3.7 In all other cases, the power to approve the recommendations of the screening Committee shall be with the Appointing Authority [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
3.8 The Screening Committee shall follow a time-schedule and meet twice in a financial year. Accordingly, cases maturing during the first-half of a particular financial year (April-September) shall be taken up for consideration by the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of January. Similarly, the Screening Committee meeting in the first week of July shall process the cases that would be maturing during the second-half of the financial year (October – March) [Para 6 of DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
Benchmark consideration for MACP
4.1 For grant of financial upgrdation under MACP scheme, the prescribed Benchmark shall be ‘Very Good’ for all levels. This shall be effective for upgradations under MACP scheme falling due on or after 25/07/2016 and this revised bench mark shall be applicable for the APAR for the year 2016-17 and subsequent years [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
4.2 While granting any financial upgradation under MACP, the assessment of suitability of an employee will be assessed by the Departmental Screening Committee (DSC). DSC shall assess the APAR in the reckoning period. The benchmark for the APAR for the years 2016-17 and thereafter shall be ‘Very Good’ and benchmark for the years 2015-16 and earlier years shall continue to be as per MACP guidelines issued vide DoPT OM dtd: 19/05/2009 which is as follows:
‘The financial upgradation would be non-functional basis subject to fitness in the hierarchy of grade pay within the Pay Band. Thereafter for upgradation under the MACP scheme, the bench of ‘Good’ would be applicable till the Grade Pay of Rs. 6000- in PB-3. The benchmark will be ‘Very Good’ for financial upgradatin to the grade of Rs. 7600 and above [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
4.3 The benchmark for grant of financial upgradation under MACP is tabulated below:
APAR for the year |
Benchmark grading for MACP for Level 11 and below |
Benchmark grading for MACP for Level-12 & above |
2013-14 and earlier |
Good |
Very Good |
2014-15 |
Good |
Very Good |
2015-16 |
Good |
Very Good |
2016-17 |
Very Good |
Very Good |
2017-18 and subsequent years |
Very Good |
Very Good |
[DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
Counting of Service/Continuous Service
5.1 The regular service for the purpose of MACP scheme shall commence from the date of joining of a post in direct entry grade on a regular basis either on direct recruitment basis or on absorption/re-employment basis. Service rendered on casual, adhoc/contract basis before regular appointment on pre-appointment training shall not be taken into reckoning. However, past continuous regular service in same/another Central Government department in a post carrying same pay level in the Pay Matrix prior to regular appointment in a new department without a break, shall also be counted towards qualifying regular service for the purpose of MACP only (not for regular promotions). However, benefits under the MACP scheme in such cases shall not be considered till the satisfactory completion of the probation period in the new post [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
5.2 Regular service shall include all periods spend on deputation/foreign service, study leave and all other kinds of leave duly sanctioned by the competent authority [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
5.3 Past service rendered by a Central Government employee in a State Government/Statutory Body/Autonomous body/Public Sector Organization, before appointment in the Central Government shall not be counted towards Regular service [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
Fixation of Pay on MACP
6.1 The Benefit of pay fixation available at the time of regular promotion shall also be allowed at the time of financial upgradation under the scheme as incorporated in Para 13 of CCS (Revised Pay Rules), 2016 [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
6.2 There shall, however be no further fixation of pay at the time of regular promotion if it is in the same pay level as granted under MACP [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
6.3 In cases with regard to fixation of pay on grant of promotion/financial upgradation under MACP scheme, a Government servant has an option under FR-22 (1)(a)(1) to get his/her pay fixed in the higher post/Pay Level either from the date of his promotion/upgradation or from the date of his next increment viz. 1st January/1st July subject to the provisions of the scheme as the case may be[DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
6.4 No stepping up of pay in the level would be admissible with regard to junior getting more pay than the senior on account of pay fixation under MACP scheme [Para 6 of DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
6.5 In cases where at the time of actual promotion, if it happens to be in a post carrying higher pay level than what is available under MACP, then the official shall be placed in the level to which he/she is promoted at a cell in the promoted level equal to the figure being drawn by him on account of MACP. If no such cell is available in the level to which promoted, the official shall be placed at the next higher cell in that level. The employee may have an option to get this fixation done either on the date of promotion or w.e.f.the date of next increment as per the option to be exercised by him/her [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
6.6 The fixation of pay on grant of financial upgradation under MACP on or after 01/01/2016 shall be made as per Rule 13 of CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016 issued vide Department of Expenditure notification dtd: 25/07/2016 & in terms of provisions contained in DoPT OM No. 13/02/2017-Estt.(Pay-I) dtd: 27/07/2017 [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
6.7 In cases where promotion earned/upgradation granted under the MACP scheme in the past to those grades which are in the same Level in the Pay matrix due to merger of pay scales/upgradations of posts recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission shall be ignored for the purpose of granting ugradations under Modified ACP. The benefit of merger will accrue w.e.f. the date of notification of the Recruitment Rules for the relevant post [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
6.8 In cases where financial upgradation was granted to the Government Servants in the next higher Grade Pay in the hierarchy of Grade Pays as per the provisions of the MACP Scheme of 19/05/2009 but whereas as a result of the implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, substantive post held by him/her in the hierarchy of the cadre has been upgraded by granting a higher Pay level. In such cases the MACP already granted to him/her prior to 7th CPC shall be refixed in the revised pay structure at the next higher level of Pay Matrix.
Example: As per 6th CPC, Grade Pay of Postal Inspector in Department of Posts is Rs. 4200 and he/she was granted MACP in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600 in PB-2. He/She will now be granted Grade Pay of Rs. 4800 in PB-2 level – 8 of the Pay Matrix consequent upon upgradation of the post of Postal Inspector from Grade Pay of Rs. 4200 to Rs. 4600/Level-7 in the Pay Matrix [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019
Disciplinary clearance
7.1 In case of disciplinary/penalty proceedings, grant of benefit under the MACP scheme shall be subject to rules governing normal promotion. Such cases shall be regulated under provisions of the CCS (CCA ) Rules, 1965 and also instructions issued thereunder [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019].
7.2 If a financial upgradation under MACP is deferred and allowed after 10 years in a level due to the reason of the employees being unfit or due to departmental proceedings etc, this would have consequential effect on the subsequent financial upgradation which would also be deferred to the extent of delay in grant of first financial upgradation [DoPT OM No. 35034/3/2015-estt.(D) dtd: 22/10/2019]. The same is also incorporated above at para 2.10
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Nice compilation sir
Stay tuned.