No. 2/41/97-PIC
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
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New Delhi, the 15 November, 2000
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Promotion of Scientists Gr.‘A’ under Flexible
Complementing Scheme - Issue of treatment of period of deputation/foreign
service/leave etc. towards the minimum residency period.
The Flexible Complementing Scheme applicable to Scientists Gr.‘A’ in
identified Scientific Ministries/Departments/Organisations provides for
promotion of Scientists to the next higher grade on in-situ basis wíthout
linkage to availability of vacancies on completion of the minimum prescribed
residency period in the lower grade subject to acquiring the residency linked
assessment norms. Earlier, there was a tack of uniformity in operation of
Flexible Complementing Scheme in various Ministries/Departments/Organisations in
various matters. The issue was examined in detail by the Fifth Central Pay
Commission which recommended a modified Flexible Complementing Scheme with the
purpose of rationalising and restricting the scope of FCS and also to bring a
uniformity in the operation of the Scheme in Identified
Ministries/Departments/organisations in matters such as designation of posts,
scales operated under the Scheme, minimum residency period at various levels,
assessment/screening in procedures, eligibility qualifications, etc. These
recommendations were examined by the Government and were accepted with certain
modifications vide DOPT Office Memorandum dated 9.11.1998. An umbrella
Notification was also issued on the same date to amend certain provisions of the
relevant Recruitment Rules with immediate effect to bring them in conformity
with the decisions taken by the Government.
2. However, a lack of uniformity still persists in the matter of treatment of
period spent on foreign service/deputation, study leave, and other kinds of
leave, including leave on medical grounds, EOL etc., towards the minimum
residency period required to be necessarily put in by a Scientist in the
existing grade for promotion to the next higher grade. It has been considered
that a uniform approach in this regard would be highly desirable.
3. The matter has been considered in all its aspects. It has been decided in
consultation with the Ministry of Science & Technology that the period spent
on deputation/foreign Service to another Scientific post, which helps a
Scientist to acquire Scientific experience In a diverse set up and the necessary
field experience now made mandatory for promotion to Sr. Scientific posts, as
well as the period of Study Leave/any other Leave taken for improving the
academic accomplishments, shall count towards the minimum residency period
necessarily required to be put in the lower grade for promotion to the next
higher grade. However, the period spent on deputation/foreign Service to a
non-scientific post and the period of leave including leave on medical grounds,
EOL etc. availed on personal grounds shall not count towards the minimum
residency period.
4. All the Scientific Ministries/Departments/Organisations, where Flexible
Complementing Scheme for Group ‘A’ Scientists is in operation, are advised to
take note of the above decision for implementation.
(Vijay Kumar)