Relaxation in Minimum Qualifying Service for Promotion to HSG-I & HSG-II (Years 2022 & 2023) – Clarification on Seniority and Regular Service

Subject: Relaxation in Minimum Qualifying Service for Promotion to HSG-I & HSG-II (Years 2022 & 2023) – Clarification on Seniority and Regular Service

Letter No.: X-04/2/2020-SPN-II (Clarification)
Issued by: Government of India, Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts, Personnel Division, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi
Date: 23.07.2026

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Background

The Directorate had earlier issued instructions vide letters dated 24.01.2024 and 09.02.2024 granting two years' relaxation in the minimum qualifying service in the feeder cadre for promotion to:

• Higher Selection Grade-II (HSG-II)
• Higher Selection Grade-I (HSG-I)

The relaxation was applicable for the promotion years 2022 and 2023. Officials promoted through Review Departmental Promotion Committee (Review DPC) assumed charge of the promotional posts only during 2024.

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Issue Raised

Several Postal Circles sought clarification regarding:

• Whether the seniority of officials promoted through Review DPC should be re-fixed retrospectively to the promotion years 2022 or 2023.
• Whether the relaxation granted for eligibility would also result in retrospective regular service for future promotions.

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Clarification from DoPT

The matter was referred to the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) for clarification.

DoPT clarified that:

• The relaxation was only for eligibility service as on the crucial date for consideration of promotion.
• Regular service in the promotional post will be counted only from the date the official actually assumes charge of the promoted post.

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Decision of the Department of Posts

Based on the clarification received from DoPT:

• The relaxation does not permit retrospective fixation of regular service.
• Seniority and qualifying regular service for future promotions will not be counted from the notional promotion year (2022/2023).
• Regular service shall commence only from the actual date of joining/assuming charge of the promotional post.

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Action Required by Postal Circles

All Postal Circles have been instructed to:

• Take further necessary action in accordance with the DoPT clarification.
• Count regular service for promotional purposes from the actual date of assumption of charge, irrespective of the retrospective Review DPC promotion.

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Key Takeaways

• ✅ Two-year relaxation in qualifying service was granted only for promotion eligibility.
• ✅ Relaxation applied to HSG-II and HSG-I promotions for 2022 and 2023.
• ✅ Officials promoted through Review DPC assumed charge in 2024.
• ✅ No retrospective counting of regular service or seniority from 2022/2023.
• ✅ Regular service begins only from the actual date of assuming charge of the promotional post.
• ✅ Postal Circles should process all related cases based on this clarification.