Consolidated Guidelines for Grant of 2-Hour Concession to Sportspersons and Coaches | DOP Order No.20-01/2025-Wl&Sp dated 14/05/2025

Consolidated Guidelines for Grant of 2-Hour Concession to Sportspersons and Coaches

Issued by: Department of Posts, Welfare & Sports Section
Date: 14 May 2025

Objective

To consolidate and clarify the rules governing the grant of 2 hours off/concession for sports practice to departmental employees who actively participate in sports and coaching activities.

1. General Conditions

• Applicable to all Departmental employees, whether recruited under sports quota or non-sports quota.
• The concession is subject to administrative requirements and cannot be claimed as a matter of right.
• The Postal Sports Board (PSB) and Circle Sports Board (CSB) may grant, review, modify, or withdraw the facility at any time.

2. Application Process

• Interested officials must submit an application along with relevant performance certificates to their respective Circle Sports Board.
• Circles may prescribe their own formats and procedures for processing applications.

3. Eligibility Criteria

Eligible for Full Consideration

• Players/coaches actively participating and performing in:
  • National-level tournaments
  • International-level tournaments
  • All India Postal (AIP) Tournaments (where conducted)

Special Cases

• If no AIP tournament is conducted in a sport, National/International participation alone may be considered.
• Non-sports quota players or players participating only in AIP tournaments may receive the facility on a restricted basis depending on performance and seriousness.
• PSB may include or exclude any sport for eligibility purposes.

4. Active Participation Requirement

• Officials should participate in the maximum possible National/International tournaments and AIP events.
• Genuine inability to participate due to administrative reasons may be considered sympathetically by the competent authority.

5. Grant and Monitoring

• Circle Sports Boards may grant the concession annually, generally in April, based on:
  • Previous year's participation
  • Performance
  • Commitment towards sports
• The concession remains valid until:
  • End of the financial year, or
  • Next review, whichever is earlier.
• Divisional Heads are responsible for monitoring proper utilization of the facility.

6. Review and Withdrawal

• The facility must be reviewed periodically, at least once every year.
• Divisional Heads may temporarily require officials to perform full duty hours due to administrative exigencies.
• The concession will be withdrawn if misused.
• For International-level players, the case should be referred to the Postal Sports Board before discontinuation.

7. Concession for Cultural Events

All India Postal Cultural Meet

• Participants/artists may receive the concession for one month before the event.

All India Civil Music, Dance & Short Play Competition

• Concession may be granted from the date of selection until completion of the event.

Key Takeaway

The 2-hour concession for practice is intended to support departmental sportspersons and coaches who demonstrate active participation and performance in recognized competitions. The facility is performance-based, subject to annual review, administrative requirements, and proper utilization.