AFTER passing the civil services exam and getting selected, most just stop studying or enhancing their academic qualifications barring few exceptions.
Observing this trend, the Government has evolved a scheme to motivate civil servants to study and do professional courses for better understanding and performance. There will be an increased payout for obtaining fresh higher qualifications, if those courses are found to be directly relevant to the employee’s job.
Accordingly, a PhD or equivalent will carry a one-time payment of Rs. 30,000; post-graduate degree or diploma of duration more than one year will provide an officer Rs. 25,000; a PG degree/diploma of duration one year or less, Rs. 20,000, and finally degree/diploma of duration of more than three years Rs. 15,000. Also, a degree/diploma of three years or less, or equivalent will carry Rs. 10,000. In fact, the 7th Central Pay Commission reviewed the rates of incentives available to employees on this account in addition to their pay, and suggested their rationalisation and simplification. It was then discussed in detail by a panel headed by the expenditure secretary under the finance ministry. The incentives will not, however, be available for the qualifications which are laid down as essential or desirable qualifications in the recruitment rules for the post. Also, no incentive shall be allowed for acquiring higher qualification purely on academic or literary subjects. The acquisition of the qualification should be directly related to the functions of the post held by the employee, or to the functions to be performed in the next higher post. Also, the quantum of incentive will be uniform for all posts, irrespective of their classification or grade or the department.
