Question 1

Why is the Service Register so important?

Accepted Answer

Almost every later benefit — increments, promotion, leave, pension and gratuity — is worked out from entries in the Service Register. Date of birth, date of joining, probation declaration, pay fixation, leave and verification of service should be checked and attested periodically rather than at the time of retirement.

Question 2

What is the difference between regularisation and declaration of probation?

Accepted Answer

Regularisation refers to bringing an appointment or a period of service on to a regular footing under the applicable rules. Declaration of probation is the formal order recording that the employee has satisfactorily completed the prescribed period of probation, including any tests or training. Both should be recorded in the Service Register with the order reference.

Question 3

Does deputation or foreign service affect my seniority?

Accepted Answer

Deputation and foreign service are governed by the terms of the sanction order and the applicable rules. Seniority in the parent cadre is generally protected, but the exact effect depends on the sanction terms, so the deputation order and the parent department's instructions should be read together.

Question 4

What is the Date of Next Increment (DNI) and when can it shift?

Accepted Answer

The DNI is the date on which the next annual increment falls due, subject to completion of the qualifying service. It can shift where periods do not count for increment — for example certain kinds of extraordinary leave or a period of suspension later treated as not counting — or on account of a fixation on promotion.

Question 5

How do I decide the option for pay fixation on promotion?

Accepted Answer

Work out the fixation both ways — from the date of promotion and from the date of next increment in the lower post — and compare the total pay over the following twelve months. Exercise the option in writing within the prescribed period. The calculators on this site help you compare the two figures before you decide.

Question 6

Can Casual Leave be combined with other kinds of leave?

Accepted Answer

Casual Leave stands on a different footing from earned leave and is normally not combinable with regular leave. The precise position depends on the applicable leave rules and instructions, so confirm before submitting a combined application.

Question 7

How is Commuted Leave different from Half Pay Leave?

Accepted Answer

Commuted Leave is granted by converting Half Pay Leave, generally on medical grounds, with leave salary at the Earned Leave rate. Twice the number of days is debited from the Half Pay Leave account. Half Pay Leave itself carries leave salary at half the admissible rate.

Question 8

Is automatic advancement the same as promotion?

Accepted Answer

No. Automatic advancement gives the benefit of a higher scale or grade after the prescribed service in the same post, without appointment to a higher post. Promotion is appointment to a higher post with its own duties and pay scale. The eligibility conditions and fixation method are different.

Question 9

What is qualifying service and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Qualifying service is the service that counts for pension and gratuity under the applicable pension rules. Non-qualifying spells — certain kinds of leave, breaks in service or unverified periods — reduce the benefit, which is why verification of service should be completed well before retirement.

Question 10

When should pension papers be started?

Accepted Answer

Well before the date of superannuation. Verification of service, settlement of missing periods, the last pay certificate, nominations and options all take time. Government instructions prescribe an advance action schedule for the head of office.

Question 11

What is the difference between a temporary advance and a part-final withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

A temporary advance is recovered from the subscriber's pay in instalments. A part-final withdrawal is not recovered, but is admissible only for the prescribed purposes and subject to conditions and limits. Both require sanction from the competent authority.

Question 12

How do I know whether GPF or NPS applies to me?

Accepted Answer

Applicability depends on your date of entry into service and the Government instructions applicable to your category of post. Confirm from your appointment order, pay bill deductions and the latest Government instructions, and keep your account number and annual statements safely.

Question 13

Can salary be attached by a court?

Accepted Answer

Salary can be attached in execution of a decree, subject to the exemption limits and procedure laid down in law. The drawing officer should act strictly in accordance with the attachment order and keep a record of the amounts remitted.

Question 14

What is the difference between administrative and technical sanction?

Accepted Answer

Administrative sanction is the approval of the competent authority to incur the expenditure on a proposal. Technical sanction is the technical department's approval of the detailed estimate for a work. A work generally needs both, plus budget provision, before expenditure is incurred.

Question 15

What happens if a detailed contingent bill is not submitted in time?

Accepted Answer

Non-submission of detailed contingent bills within the prescribed period usually results in stoppage of further drawals on abstract contingent bills and adverse audit comment, apart from responsibility being fixed on the drawing officer.

Question 16

What is surcharge in local fund audit?

Accepted Answer

Surcharge is the process by which a loss caused to the funds of a local authority is charged on the person responsible, under the applicable audit law. It follows a defined procedure including notice and an opportunity to explain.

Question 17

How should an office reply to an audit para?

Accepted Answer

Identify the exact rule said to be violated, attach the file, sanction, bill and computation relied upon, and reply para-wise. Where the objection is correct, propose remedial action or recovery. Send the compliance report within the prescribed period and follow up for settlement.

Question 18

Do State Government orders automatically apply to university employees?

Accepted Answer

Not automatically. They apply to the extent the University Act, statutes or an Executive Council/Syndicate resolution adopts them. Always check the university's own adoption order along with the Government Order.

Question 19

Which audit applies to municipal and Panchayat Raj institutions?

Accepted Answer

Local authorities are generally subject to State audit under the applicable audit law, in addition to internal audit arrangements. The precise arrangement depends on the institution and the current Government instructions.

Question 20

How is the date of retirement determined?

Accepted Answer

From the date of birth recorded in the service record, read with the retirement age applicable to the post. Use the retirement date calculator on this site for an indicative date and confirm it against your Service Register entry.

Frequently asked questions