New Delhi: Compassionate appointment in the Central Government is not a vested right but a concession to save a family from immediate financial destitution. The Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) and recent Supreme Court judgments (2025) have strictly linked this benefit to a Relative Merit Point System and a hard 5% vacancy cap. If your family has significant terminal benefits or an earning member, your application will likely be rejected.
Updated on: 16 January 2026 | Verified against DoPT Consolidated Instructions & SC Judgments 2025.
Compassionate Appointment Rules 2026: 100-Point Merit System, Eligibility & Rejection Traps
Quick Answer
Compassionate appointment is restricted to 5% of direct recruitment vacancies in Group ‘C’ posts. It is granted only if the family is in “indigent condition” based on a 100-Point Merit Scale (Income, Pension, Assets). If you score below the cutoff or if any family member already has a government job, the claim is automatically rejected.
Who Is Eligible
The scheme applies only to the dependent family members of a Government servant who:
- Died in harness (while in service), including death by suicide.
- Retired on medical grounds before attaining the age of 55 years (57 for former Group ‘D’).
- Is missing (presumed dead) for more than 2 years (with FIR lodged).
“Dependent Family Member” includes:
- Spouse (Husband/Wife).
- Son (including adopted son).
- Daughter (including adopted/married daughter, subject to dependency proof).
- Brother or Sister (only in the case of an unmarried Government servant).
Who Will NOT Get This (Rejection Grounds)
DoPT rules and recent court orders specify strict disqualifications. You will NOT get an appointment if:
- Earning Member Exists: If the spouse or any son/daughter is already employed (Central/State Govt/PSU), the family is assumed to be “not destitute.”
- High Terminal Benefits: If the family received a large lump sum (Gratuity, Leave Encashment, CGEGIS) that places them above the indigency line.
- Delay in Application: Applications made 5+ years after death are often rejected as the “immediate crisis” is presumed to be over.
- Higher Qualification: You cannot demand a Group ‘A’ or ‘B’ post based on your degree. Appointments are strictly for Group ‘C’ (or former Group ‘D’) posts only.
⚠️ The Financial & Risk Impact
The “Penury” Test: The government calculates your financial status using the 100-Point Merit System. High marks are needed to secure a job.
Risk of Rejection: Even if you are eligible, if the 5% quota is full, your name is kept on a waiting list. If you do not get a vacancy within a prescribed period (often 3 years in some departments), your case may be permanently closed.
Salary Consequence: You enter at the minimum of the pay scale (Level 1 or Level 2). You do not inherit the deceased employee’s last pay.
The 100-Point Merit System (How You Are Ranked)
Most departments now use a standardized weightage system to select the “most deserving” among multiple applicants. Below is a representative breakdown (actual points may vary slightly by Ministry):
| Parameter | Maximum Points | How Points Are Lost |
|---|---|---|
| Family Pension (Basic) | 20 | Higher pension = Fewer points. |
| Terminal Benefits (Lump Sum) | 10 | If Gratuity/PF > ₹10-20 Lakhs, points drop to 0. |
| Monthly Income (Property/Other) | 05 | Higher income = Fewer points. |
| Number of Dependents | 15 | More dependents = Higher points. |
| Minor Children | 15 | Families with young children get priority. |
| Leftover Service | 10 | If deceased had 10+ years left, points are higher. |
| Applicant is Widow | 15 (Bonus) | Widows get preference over sons/daughters. |
| Total | 100 | Selection based on Top Score. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a married daughter apply for compassionate appointment?
Yes. Following various High Court judgments, married daughters are eligible. However, they must prove they were wholly dependent on the deceased employee at the time of death and that they are supporting the remaining family members.
Q: Is there a time limit to submit the application?
While there is no rigid statutory time limit, DoPT advises submitting the application immediately. Delays of 2-5 years require high-level approval and strong justification of why the family could not survive without the job earlier.
Q: Can I ask for a specific post or transfer later?
No. You are offered any available vacant post in Group C. Once you accept it, you cannot later claim a higher post arguing you are over-qualified. Compassionate appointees generally cannot request immediate transfers.
🇮🇳 हिंदी में सारांश: अनुकंपा नियुक्ति नियम 2026
अनुकंपा नियुक्ति (Compassionate Appointment) सरकारी नौकरी पाने का अधिकार नहीं है, बल्कि यह केवल उन परिवारों के लिए है जो कर्मचारी की मृत्यु के बाद भुखमरी या “अत्यंत गरीबी” (Indigent Condition) की स्थिति में हैं।
- कोटा: कुल रिक्तियों का केवल 5%।
- योग्यता: परिवार का कोई अन्य सदस्य सरकारी नौकरी में नहीं होना चाहिए।
- चयन प्रक्रिया: 100 अंकों का मेरिट पॉइंट सिस्टम लागू है। अगर परिवार को पेंशन और फंड से बड़ी रकम मिली है, तो अंक कम हो जाएंगे और नौकरी नहीं मिलेगी।
- अस्वीकृति (Rejection): अगर आवेदन करने में 5 साल से ज्यादा की देरी हुई है, तो इसे खारिज किया जा सकता है।