PUNJAB CIVIL SERVICES (GENERAL AND COMMON CONDITIONS OF SERVICE) RULES, 1994

PUNJAB CIVIL SERVICES (GENERAL AND COMMON CONDITIONS OF

SERVICE) RULES, 1994
PREAMBLE
In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution of India, and
all other powers enabling in this behalf, the Governor of Punjab is pleased to make the following
rules regulating the recruitment and general and common conditions of service of persons
appointed to Group 'A', Group 'B' and Group 'C' services in connection with the affairs of the State
of Punjab, namely:-

Rule - 1. Short title, commencement and application.--

(1) These rules may be called the Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of
Service) Rules, 1994.

(2) They shall come into force at once.

(3) They shall apply to all the posts in Group 'A', Group 'B' and Group 'C' services in connection
with the affairs of the State of Punjab.

Rule - 2. Definitions.--
In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-

a) "appointing authority" means an appointing authority specified as such in the Service Rules
made under article 309 of the Constitution of India in respect of any service or Post in
connection with the affairs of the State of Punjab;

b) "Board" means the Subordinate Service Selection Board, Punjab or any other authority
constituted to perform its functions;

c) "Commission" means the Punjab Public Service Commission;

d) "direct appointment" means an appointment made otherwise than by promotion or by transfer

of a person already in the service of Government of India or of a State Government;

e) "Government" means the Government of the State of Punjab in the Department of Personnel
and Administrative Reforms;

f) "recognised university or institution" means,-

i) any university or institution incorporated by law in any of the State of India; or

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ii) any other university or institution, which is declared by the Government to be recognised
university or institution for the purposes of these rules;

g) "Service" means any Group 'A' Service, Group 'B' Service and Group 'C' Service constituted in
connection with the affairs of the State of Punjab as per scales given in the Appendix;

h) "Service Rules" means the service rules made under article 309 of the Constitution of India
regulating the recruitment and conditions of service other than the general and common
conditions of service of persons appointed to any service or post in connection with the
affairs of the State of Punjab; and

i) (i) "War hero" means a defence services personnel, or a para-military forces personnel, who is
a bona fide resident of Punjab State and has been killed or discharged from service on
account of disability suffered by him on or after 1st January, 1999, while fighting in a war
declared so by the Government of India, in operations in Kargil or any other sector in J &
K in the on going conflict with Pakistan or in any other operations which may be notified
by the State Government to have been undertaken for preserving the unity and integrity
of the Country; or

(ii) a defence service personnel or a para-military forces personnel who was a bona fide resident
of Punjab State and was posthumously decorated with Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra or Vir
Chakra; provided that,-

a) In exceptional instances, the cases of such War Heroes may also be covered, with the prior
approval of the Department of Personnel who though not bona fide residents of Punjab
State are yet closely connected to the State of Punjab;

b) In the case of War Heroes, falling in the category (ii) above, the benefits to be given by the
State Government will be restricted only to first generation dependent members/next of
the kin.

Note:- The Government reserves the right to include any other category of Awardees for the
purpose of providing employment to the category of War Heroes, as may be notified.

Rule - 3. Nationality, domicile and character of person appointed to the

Service.--

(1) No person shall be appointed to the Service unless he is,-

a) a Citizen of India; or

b) a Citizen of Nepal; or

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c) a Subject of Bhutan; or

d) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st day of January, 1962 with the
intention of permanently settling in India; or

e) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African
Countries of Kenya, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and
Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently
settling in India:

Provided that a person belonging to any of the categories (b), (c), (d) and (e) shall be a person in
whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been given by the Government of Punjab in the
Department of Home Affairs and Justice.

(2) A person in whose case a certificate of eligibility is necessary may be admitted to an

examination or interview conducted by the Commission or the Board, as the case may be,
on his furnishing proof that he has applied for the certificate but he shall not be
appointed to the service unless the necessary certificate is given to him by the
Government of Punjab in the Department of Home Affairs and Justice.

(3) No person shall be recruited to the service by direct appointment, unless he produces,-

a) a certificate of character from the principal academic officer of the university, college, school
or institution last attended, if any, and similar certificates from two responsible persons not
being his relatives, who are well acquainted with him in his private life and are
unconnected with him in his private life and are unconnected with his university, college,
school or institution; and

b) An affidavit to the effect that he was never convicted for any criminal offence involving
moral turpitude and that he was never dismissed or removed from service of any State
Government or of Government of India, or of any Public Sector Undertaking.

Rule - 4. Disqualification.--
No person;-

a) who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having spouse living; or

b) who, having a spouse living, has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person shall
be eligible for appointment to the Service:

Provided that the Government, if satisfied that such marriage is permissible under the personal law
applicable to such person and the other party to the marriage and that there are other grounds

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for so doing, exempt any person from the operation of this rule.

Rule - 5. Age.--

(1) No Punjab civil services (general and common conditions of service) rules,1994 person shall
be recruited to the Service by direct appointment, if he is less than eighteen years or is
more than thirty seven years of age in the case of technical and non-technical posts on
the first day of January of the year immediately preceding the last date, fixed for
submission of applications by the Commission or the Board, as the case may be.

Provided that where different lower and upper age limits have been specifically prescribed for
posts in the Service Rules, these limits shall be made applicable for appointment to such posts:

Provided further that the upper age limit may be relaxed upto forty-five years in the case of
persons already in the employment of the Punjab Government or any Board, Corporation,
Commission or Authority under it, other State Government or the Government of India.

Provided further that in the case of candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and other Backward
Classes, the upper age limit shall be such as may be fixed by the Government from time to time.

(2) In the case of ex-servicemen, the upper age limit shall be such as has been prescribed in
the Punjab Recruitment of Ex-servicemen Rules, 1982, as amended from time to time.

(3) In the case of appointment on compassionate grounds on priority basis, the upper age limit
shall be such as may be specifically fixed by the Government from time to time.

(4) In the case of appointment of a War-hero, who has been discharged from defence services
or para-military forces on account of disability suffered by him or his widow or dependent
member of his family, the upper age limit shall be such as may be specifically fixed by
the Government from time to time

Rule - 5A. Increase in upper age limit.--

Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 5, on and with effect from the commencement of the
Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Amendment Rules, 2010, where
in any other Service rules, or in Government instructions, the upper age limit for appointment to
any Service or for any category or persons, if different from thirty-five years, it shall be deemed
to have been increased by two years.

Rule - 6. Qualification etc.--

Subject to the provisions of these rules, the number and character of posts, method of recruitment
and educational qualifications and experience for appointment to a post or posts in a Service and
the departmental examination, if any, shall be such as may be specified in the Service Rules made
for that Service;

Provided that where appointment of Group 'A' or Group 'B' non- technical post is offered to a war-
hero, who has been discharged from defence services or paramilitary forces on account of
disability suffered by him or his widow or dependent member of his family, under the instructions

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issued in this behalf by the Government, the educational qualification to be possessed by such
person shall be graduation from a recognised university. Such person who is offeredGroup ' A' or
Group 'B' or Group 'C' non- technical post, shall not, however, be required to posses experience of
technical or non-technical post at the time of his initial appointment.

Rule - 7. Probation.--

(1) A person appointed to any post in the service shall remain on probation for a period of
three years, if recruited by direct appointment and one year if appointed otherwise:

Provided that.-

(a) any period, after such appointment, spent on deputation on a corresponding or a higher post
shall count towards the period of probation;

(b) in the case of an appointment by transfer, any period of work on an equivalent or higher
rank, prior to appointment to the Service, may in the discretion of the appointing
authority, be allowed to count towards the period of probation;

(c) any period of officiating appointment to the Service shall be reckoned as period spent on
probation; and

(d) any kind of leave not exceeding six months, during or at the end of period of probation,
shall be counted towards the period of probation.

(2) If, in the opinion of the appointing authority, the work or conduct of a person during the
period of probation is not satisfactory or if he has failed to pass the departmental
examination, if any, prescribed in Service Rules within a period not exceeding one and a
half years from the date of appointment, it may,-

(a) if such person is recruited by direct appointment, dispense with his services, or revert him
to a post on which he held lien prior to his appointment to the Service by direct
appointment; and

(b) if such person is appointed otherwise-

i) revert him to his former post; or

ii) deal with him in such other manner as the terms and conditions of the previous appointment
permit.

(3) On the completion of the period of probation of a person, the appointing authority may-

(a) if his work and conduct has in its opinion been satisfactory-

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i) confirm such person, from the date of his appointment or from the date he completes his period
of probation satisfactorily, if he is not already confirmed; or

ii) declare that he has completed his probation satisfactorily, if he is already confirmed; or

(b) if his work or conduct has not been in its opinion, satisfactory or if he has failed to pass
the departmental examination, if any, specified in the Service Rules-

i) dispense with his services, if appointed by direct appointment or if appointed otherwise revert
him to his former post, or deal with him in such other manner as the terms and conditions of his
previous appointment may permit;

ii) extend his period of probation and thereafter pass such order as it could have passed on the
expiry of the period of probation as specified in sub-rule (1):

Provided that the total period of probation including extension, if any, shall not exceed four years,
if recruited by direct appointment and three years if appointed otherwise.

Rule - 8. Seniority.--
The seniority inter se of persons appointed to posts in each cadre of a Service shall be
determined by the length of continuous service on such post in that cadre of the Service.

Provided that in the case of persons recruited by direct appointment who join within the period
specified in the order of appointment or within such period as may be extended from time to time
by the appointing authority subject to a maximum of four months from the date of order of
appointment the order of merit determined by the Commission or the Board, as the case may be,
shall not be disturbed:

Provided further that in case a person is permitted to join the post after the expiry of the said
period of four months in consultation with the Commission or the Board, as the case may be, his
seniority shall be determined from the date he joins the post:

Provided further that in case any person of the next selection has joined a post in the cadre of
the concerned Service before the person referred to in the preceding proviso joins, the person so
referred shall be placed below all the persons of the next selection who join within the time
specified in the first proviso:

Provided further that in the case of two or more persons appointed on the same date, their
seniority shall be determined as follows:-

a) a person appointed by direct appointment shall be senior to a person appointed otherwise;

b) a person appointed by promotion shall be senior to a person appointed by transfer;

c) in the case of persons appointed by promotion or transfer, the seniority shall be determined
according to the seniority of such persons in the appointments from which they were
promoted or transferred; and

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d) in the case of persons appointed by transfer from different cadres their seniority shall be
determined according to pay, preference being given to a person who was drawing a
higher rate of pay in his previous appointment; and if the rates of pay drawn are also the
same, then by their length of service in these appointments and if the length of service is
also the same, an older person shall be senior to a younger person:

Provided further that in the case of persons recruited by direct appointment in the same cadre
obtaining equal marks during same selection process, their inter-se-seniority shall be determined on
the basis of their age. That is, an older person shall be senior to the younger person.

Note:- Seniority of persons appointed on purely provisional basis or on ad hoc basis shall be
determined as and when they are regularly appointed keeping in view the dates of such regular
appointment.

Rule - 9. Liability of members of Service to transfer.--

A member of a Service may be transferred to any post whether included in any other service or
not, on the same terms and conditions as are specified in rule 3.17 of the Punjab Civil Service
Rules, Volume-I, Part I.

Rule - 10. Liability to serve.--

A member of a Service shall be liable to serve at any place, whether within or out of the State of
Punjab, on being ordered so to do by the appointing authority.

Rule - 11. Leave, Pension and other matters.--

In respect of pay, leave, pension and all other matters not expressly provided for in these rules, a
member of a Service shall be governed by such rules and regulations as may have been or may
hereafter be adopted or made by the competent authority.

Rule - 12. Discipline, penalties and appeals.--

(1) In the matter of discipline, punishment and appeals, a member of a Service shall be
governed by the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970 as amended
from time to time.

(2) The authority empowered to impose penalties specified in rule 5 of the Punjab Civil Services
(Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970 and the appellate authority thereunder in respect of
the Government employee shall be such as may be specified in the Service Rules.

Rule - 13. Liability for vaccination and re-vaccination.--

Every member of a Service shall get himself vaccinated or re-vaccinated when Punjab Government
so directs by a special or general order.

Rule - 14. Oath of allegiance.--

Every member of a Service, unless he has already done so, shall be required to take oath of
allegiance to India and to the Constitution of India as by law established.

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Rule - 14A. Minimum Educational and other Qualifications for appointment to the
post of Senior Assistant by.--
1Direct Appointment Promotion
No person shall be given direct appointment to the post of Senior From amongst
Assistant under the Punjab Government unless he-- the clerks,
who have an
experience of
working as
such for a
minimum
period of five
years.
(i) Possesses the Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or
Institution; and
(ii) Qualifies in the competitive test specified by the appointing
authority from time to time; and
(iii) Possesses at least one hundred and twenty hours course with
hands on experience in the use of Personal Computer or Information
Technology in Office Productivity applications or Desk to Publishing
applications from a Government recognised institution or a reputed
institution, which is ISO 9001, certified.
OR
Possesses a Computer Information Technology Course equivalent to
'O' level certificate of Department of Electronics Accreditation of
Computer Course (DOEACC) of Government of India.
(2) The person so appointed as Senior Assistant in terms of the
Provisions of sub-rule (1), shall have, before his appointment, passed
a test in English and Punjabi, respectively, typewriting on computer
to be conducted by the Board or the appointing authority or the
Department of Information Technology, as the case may be, at a
speed of thirty words per minute:
Provided that where appointment of Group 'B' non-technical post is
offered to a War Hero, who has been discharged from Defence
Services or dependent member of his family under the instructions
issued in this behalf by the Government, the educational
qualifications to be possessed by such person shall be Graduate from
a recognised University or Institution. However, such person shall not
be required to qualify the test in Punjabi type-writing as Provided in
sub-rule (2).

Rule - 15. Minimum Educational and other qualifications.--

(1) (i) No person shall be given direct appointment to the post of Clerk under the Punjab
Government unless he possesses the Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or
Institution; and

(ii) Possesses at least one hundred and twenty hours course with hands on experience in the use
of Personal Computer or Information Technology in Office Productivity applications or Desktop
Publishing applications from a Government recognised institution or a reputed institution, which is
ISO 9001, certified.

OR

(iii) Possesses a Computer information Technology course equivalent to 'O' level certificate of

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Department of Electronics Accreditation of Computer Course (DOEACC) of Government of India.;

(2) The person so appointed as Clerk in terms of the provisions of sub-rule(1), shall have,
before his appointment, passed a test in English and Punjabi, respectively, on computer, to
be conducted by the Board or the appointing authority or the Department of Information
Technology as the case may be, at a speed of thirty words per minute.".

Provided that where appointment of Group 'C' non-technical post is offered to a War Hero, who
has been discharged from Defence Services or dependent member of his family under the
instructions issued in this behalf by the Government, the educational qualification to be possessed
by such person shall be Graduate from a recognised University or Institution. However, such person
shall not be required to qualify the test in Punjabi type-writing as specified in sub-rule (2).

Rule - 15A. Minimum Educational and other Qualifications for appointment to the
post of Senior Scale Stenographer by-
Direct Appointment Promotion
No person shall be given direct appointment to the (i) From amongst the Junior Scale
post of Senior Scale Stenographer under the Stenographers, who have an experience of
Punjab Government unless he-- working as such for a minimum period of
one year.
(i) Possesses the Bachelor's Degree from a Provided that if the Junior Scale
recognised University or Institution; and Stenographer is not available then from
amongst the Steno typists, who have an
experience of working as such for a
minimum period of five years; and
(ii) Qualifies in a Stenography test in four paras
(two in Punjabi and two in English language)
containing 250 words each as follows:-
(a) the passage in Punjabi shall be dictated at a (ii) Qualifies in a stenography test in four
speed of 100 words per minute in Punjabi paras (two in Punjabi and two in English
language required to be transcribed these (at language) containing 250words each as
typewriter/computer) at a speed of 20 words per follows:-
minute; and
(b) the passage in English shall be dictated at a (a) the passage in Punjabi shall be
speed of 60 words per minute in English language dictated at a speed of 100 words per
required to be transcribed these (at minute in Punjabi language required to be
typewriter/computer) at the speed of 12 words per transcribed these (at typewriter/computer)
minute. at a speed of 20 words per minute; and
(iii) The candidates committing not more than 4% (b) the passage in English shall be
mistakes in aggregate and only if he/she qualifies dictated at a speed of 60 words per
the stenography test in both the languages shall minute in English language required to be
be considered to have qualified the test for transcribed these (at typewriter/computer)
appointment as Senior Scale Stenographer". at the speed of 12 words per minute.
(iv) Possesses at least one hundred and twenty (iii) The candidates committing not more
hours course with hands on experience in the use than 4% mistakes in aggregate and only if
of Personal Computer or Information Technology in he/she qualifies the Stenography test in
Office Productivity applications or Desktop both the languages shall be considered to
Publishing applications from a Government have qualified the test for promotion as
recognised institution or a reputed institution, Senior Scale Stenographer."
which is ISO 9001, certified.
OR
Possesses a Computer information Technology
course equivalent to 'O' level certificate of
Department of Electronics Accreditation of
Computer Course (DOEACC) of Government of
India.

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Rule - 16. Minimum Educational and other Qualifications for appointment to the
post of Steno-typist or Junior Scale Stenographer.--
No person shall be given direct appointment to the post of Steno-typist or Junior Scale Stenographer
under the Punjab Government, unless he-

(a) Possesses Bachelor's Degree from a recognised University or Institution; and

(b) Qualifies a test in Punjabi Stenography to be held by the Board or by the appointing
authority at a speed specified by the Government from time to time; and

(c) Possesses at least one hundred and twenty hours course with hands on experience in the
use of Personal Computer or Information Technology in Office Productivity applications or
Desktop Publishing applications from Government recognised institution or a reputed
institution, which is ISO 9001, certified.

OR

(d) Possesses a Computer information Technology Course equivalent to 'O' level certificate of
Department of Electronics Accreditation of Computer Course (DOEACC) of Government of
India.

Rule - 17. Knowledge of Punjabi Language.--

No person shall be appointed to any post in any service by direct appointment unless he has
passed Matriculation examination with Punjabi as one of the compulsory or elective subjects or any
other equivalent examination in Punjabi language, which may be specified by the Government from
time to time:

Provided that where a person is appointed on compassionate grounds on priority basis under the
instructions issued in this behalf by the Government from time to time, the person so appointed
shall have to pass an examination of Punjabi language equivalent to Matriculation standard or he
shall have to qualify a test conducted by the Language Wing of the Department of Education of
Punjab Government within a period of six months from the date of his appointment:

Provided further that where educational qualifications for a post in any service are lower than the
Matriculation standard, then the person so appointed shall have to pass an examination of Punjabi
language equivalent to Middle standard:

Provided further that where a War Hero, who has been discharged from defence services or
paramilitary forces on account of disability suffered by him or his widow or dependent member of
his family, is appointed under the instructions issued in this behalf by the Government, the person
so appointed will not be required to possess aforesaid knowledge of Punjabi language:

Provided further that where a ward of Defence Service Personnel, who is a bona fide resident of
Punjab State, is appointed by direct appointment, he shall have to pass an examination of Punjabi
Language equivalent to Matriculation Standard or he shall have to qualify a test conducted by the
Language Wing of the Department of Education of Punjab Government within a period of two years
from the date of his appointment.

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Rule - 18. Promotion to Group 'A' and Group 'B' Services.--

(1) (a) For promotion to the post as Head of Department would be decided strictly on the basis
of merit-cum-seniority as per the instructions issued by the Government from time to time.
The minimum bench mark for promotion for such post would be 'Very Good'. The officer
who is graded as 'Outstanding' would supersede the officer graded as 'Very Good'.

(b) For promotion to post falling in Group 'A' other than Head of Department, the minimum
benchmark will be 'Very Good' as per the instructions issued by the Government from time to
time. There shall be no supersession on the basis of merit.

(c) For promotion to post falling in Group 'B', the minimum benchmark will be 'Good' and there
shall be no supersession on the basis of merit.

(2) Debarring for consideration for promotion of a Government employee who refuses to accept
promotion- In the event of refusal to accept promotion by a member of a service, he shall
be debarred by the appointing authority from consideration for promotion for all the
consecutive chances which may occur in future within a period of two years from the date
of such refusal to accept promotion:

Provided that in a case where the appointing authority is satisfied that a member of a service has
refused to accept promotion under the circumstances beyond his control, it may exempt such a
member for reasons to be recorded therefore in writing from the operation of this rule.

Rule - 19. Power to relax.--

Where the government is of the opinion that it is necessary to expedient so to do, it may by
order, for reasons to be recorded in writing, relax any of the provisions of these rules with respect
to any class or category of persons.

Provided that the provisions relating to educational qualifications and experience, if any, shall not
be relaxed.

Rule - 20. Over riding effect.--

The provisions of these rules shall have effect notwithstanding anything contrary contained in any
rules for the time being in force for regulating the recruitment and conditions of service for
appointment to public service and posts in connection with the affairs of the State.

Rule - 21. Interpretation.--

If any, question arises as to the interpretation of these rules, the Government shall decide the
same.

"APPENDIX"
[SEE RULE-2]
Group 'A' : Posts in initial entry revised scales of pay having a maximum of Rs. 11,660 or more; Provided that all existing Class I posts irrespective of the monetary
limits of the pay scales shall be placed in Group 'A'.
Group 'B' : Posts in initial entry revised scales of pay with maximum ranging between Rs. 10,640 to 11,659;
Group 'C' : Posts in initial entry revised scales of pay with maximum ranging between Rs. 5,160 to 10,639;

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