MACP Guidelines 2026
MACP Salary Alert
Is Your APAR Grading “Very Good”?
MACP Alert 2026: One “Good” Grading Can Stop Your Salary Hike? Check New Rule
- The Issue: “Good” vs “Very Good” Benchmark
- Cut-Off Date: 25th July 2016
- Risk: Salary Hike Stopped for 1 Year
- Solution: Filing a Representation
The Big Confusion: Is “Good” Enough?
Many employees think that getting a “Good” grading in their Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR) is fine.
The Reality: Under the 7th Pay Commission rules, “Good” is actually bad for your promotion. If you are due for MACP (Financial Upgradation) in 2026, you strictly need a “Very Good” benchmark for the last 5 years.
🚫 The “Stop” Rule
If even ONE year in your relevant block has a “Good” or “Average” grading after 2016, your MACP will be deferred (delayed). You will lose the salary hike for that entire year.
Pre-2016 vs Post-2016: Know the Difference
DoPT has given a special relaxation for the old years. Here is how the calculation works:
| APAR Year | Grading Received | Result for MACP |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 (Old Rule) | Good | ✅ Accepted (Treated as Very Good) |
| 2016-17 (New Rule) | Good | ❌ Rejected (MACP Stopped) |
| 2017 Onwards | Very Good | ✅ Accepted |
What to Do If You Got a “Good” Grading?
If your Reporting Officer gave you “Good” without giving you a prior warning notice, you have a legal right to challenge it.
“Step 1: Check your APAR immediately on the HRMS/SPARROW portal.
Step 2: If you see ‘Good’ (Grading 4-6), submit a formal Representation to the Competent Authority within 15 days.
Step 3: Cite the Supreme Court judgment (Sukhdev Singh vs Union of India) which says uncommunicated adverse entries cannot be used to deny promotion.”
MACP vs Regular Promotion
Remember, MACP is only a Financial Upgradation (you get the next Pay Level salary). It does not change your designation or rank. It is given at 10, 20, and 30 years of service if you don’t get a regular promotion.