Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)
OM No. 1/2/2022-R&R and DC
Surplus Cell Reporting Mandate
DoPT Order 2026: Mandatory Vacancy Reporting to Surplus Cell (Group A & B)
- Status: Strict Compliance Ordered
- Authority: DoPT (Retraining & Redeployment Division)
- Ref No: OM dated 19.01.2026
- Key Impact: Direct Recruitment Ban without NAC
What Changed: The “NAC” Checkpoint
The Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has issued a strict Office Memorandum dated January 19, 2026, regarding the filling of vacancies in Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts. Before any Ministry or Department can advertise a vacancy for Direct Recruitment or Transfer, they MUST first report it to the Surplus Cell via the Redeployment of Surplus Management System (RSMS).
✅ Official Orders Issued
Authority: DoPT (Order No. 1/2/2022-R&R and DC)
Subject: Mandatory reporting of vacancies in Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts to the Surplus Cell under Rule 3 of CCS Rules, 1990.
The New Protocol: RSMS Portal Logic
The government aims to redeploy employees who have been rendered “surplus” (due to department closures or restructuring) before hiring new candidates. This creates a mandatory checkpoint in the recruitment cycle.
✔ The Process (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: Ministry identifies a vacancy.
- Step 2: Reports vacancy on RSMS Portal.
- Step 3: Surplus Cell checks for matching retrenched staff.
- Step 4: If no match found, Non-Availability Certificate (NAC) is issued.
✖ The Consequence
- No NAC = No Recruitment: Agencies like UPSC or SSC cannot process the requisition unless the NAC from the Surplus Cell is attached.
- Delay Risk: If your department skips this step, the recruitment proposal will be returned.
Timeline/Impact on Recruitment
| Action | Time Impact | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting to Surplus Cell | Day 1-7 | Mandatory Compliance |
| Redeployment Check | Day 7-30 | Surplus Staff adjusted (if any) |
| Issuance of NAC | After 30 Days | Direct Recruitment Allowed |
How to Respond (For Employees/Unions)
If you notice vacancies in your department are lying vacant for years and no recruitment notification is being issued, the delay might be at the Surplus Cell stage. Use this draft to file an RTI or representation.
“To,
The CPIO / Administrative Officer,
Ministry of [Department Name], New Delhi.Subject: Information regarding filling of Group B vacancies and Surplus Cell Clearance.
Respected Sir/Madam,
I, Rajesh Kumar, am seeking information regarding the 15 vacant posts of Section Officer in this Department. Please provide the following details:
1. Whether the vacancies have been reported to the Surplus Cell of DoPT via the RSMS Portal as per OM dated 19.01.2026?
2. If yes, whether the Non-Availability Certificate (NAC) has been received from the Surplus Cell?
3. The expected date of sending the requisition to UPSC/SSC for filling these posts.Yours faithfully,
Rajesh Kumar
Assistant Section Officer”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Surplus Cell?
The Surplus Cell is a division within the DoPT responsible for redeploying Central Government employees who lose their jobs due to the closure or restructuring of their original departments. They are adjusted into other ministries to protect their service.
Does this order apply to Promotion vacancies?
No. The order explicitly mentions vacancies proposed to be filled by “Direct Recruitment” or “Transfer/Absorption”. Vacancies earmarked for promotion quotas are generally exempt from Surplus Cell reporting.