MACP Scheme 2026: 10, 20, and 30-Year Financial Upgradation Rules
The Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) provides three assured financial upgradations for Central Government Civilian Employees upon completing 10, 20, and 30 years of continuous regular service. The scheme prevents financial stagnation for employees who have not earned regular promotions in their respective cadres.
Authority: Department of Personnel & Training (Establishment D)
Applicability: All Central Government Civilian Employees
Administrative sections and DDOs evaluate MACP eligibility strictly based on the Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR) gradings. Employees seeking financial upgradation to the Grade Pay of Rs 7600 (Pay Level 12) or above must secure a ‘Very Good’ benchmark, while lower levels require a minimum ‘Good’ grading.
Does MACP change an employee’s designation or status?
No. The financial upgradation under MACPS is purely personal to the employee. It merely places the individual in the immediate next higher grade pay within the recommended pay band. There is no change in designation, administrative classification, or hierarchical status upon receiving the MACP benefit.
Calculating Qualifying Service: Ad-hoc vs Regular Service
The exact calculation of the 10, 20, and 30-year milestones is counted from the date of joining a post in the direct entry grade on a regular basis. Miscalculating what periods constitute “regular service” is the leading cause of MACP delays during departmental audits.
| Nature of Service / Leave | Counted Towards MACP Eligibility? |
|---|---|
| Continuous Regular Service | Yes (Fully counted) |
| Deputation or Foreign Service | Yes (Fully counted) |
| Sanctioned Study Leave | Yes (Fully counted) |
| Ad-hoc Appointment Period | No (Strictly excluded) |
| State Government Service | No (Only Central Govt service counts) |
Is past service in another government department counted?
Yes. Past continuous regular service rendered in another Central Government Department in a post carrying the exact same grade pay, prior to regular appointment in the new department without a break, is fully counted towards the qualifying regular service for MACPS.
The Promotion Refusal Penalty and Anomaly Exclusions
The DoPT guidelines enforce strict penalties on employees who refuse a regular administrative promotion. Refusing a promotion directly impacts current and future MACP entitlements.
Promotion refused AFTER receiving MACP
Unilateral transfer to new department
Employee declared surplus and absorbed
Promotion refused BEFORE becoming eligible for MACP
APAR grading graded as ‘Unfit’
Pending departmental disciplinary proceedings
What is the penalty for refusing a promotion after MACP?
If an employee receives MACP due to stagnation and subsequently refuses a regular promotion, the already granted financial upgradation is not withdrawn. However, the employee becomes ineligible for any further MACP upgradation until they formally agree to be considered for promotion again. The next MACP cycle gets deferred by the exact period of this debarment.
Stepping up of pay is explicitly prohibited under MACPS. If a junior employee draws more salary than a senior employee purely because of pay fixation under the MACP Scheme, the senior cannot claim stepping up of pay to match the junior’s salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ad-hoc service count towards the 10, 20, 30 years required for MACP?
No. Only continuous regular service is counted towards the qualifying service for MACP. Any period served on an ad-hoc basis is strictly excluded from the calculation.
What is the minimum APAR benchmark required for MACP?
The APAR benchmark is ‘Good’ for upgradations up to the Grade Pay of Rs 6600. For financial upgradations to the Grade Pay of Rs 7600 and above, the benchmark required is ‘Very Good’.
Does the designation change after getting an MACP upgradation?
There is no change in designation, administrative classification, or hierarchical status. The upgradation is purely financial and merely places the employee in the next higher grade pay.
Can a senior employee claim stepping up of pay if a junior gets more salary under MACP?
No. Stepping up of pay in the pay band or grade pay is not admissible for anomalies arising strictly on account of a junior getting more pay than a senior due to MACP fixation.
हिंदी सारांश
मॉडिफाइड एश्योर्ड करियर प्रोग्रेसन स्कीम (MACP) के तहत केंद्र सरकार के कर्मचारियों को दस, बीस और तीस साल की नियमित सेवा के बाद वित्तीय उन्नयन दिया जाता है। इसके लिए केवल नियमित सेवा की गणना की जाती है; तदर्थ (ad-hoc) सेवा या राज्य सरकार की सेवा को शामिल नहीं किया जाता। ग्रेड पे 7600 और उससे ऊपर के लिए ‘वेरी गुड’ एपीएआर (APAR) ग्रेडिंग अनिवार्य है। यदि कोई कर्मचारी पदोन्नति से इनकार करता है तो उसका अगला एमएसीपी रोक दिया जाता है। एमएसीपी मिलने पर केवल वेतन बढ़ता है, पदनाम या रैंक नहीं बदलता।
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