PO Rule Lookup

Earned Leave is credited in advance at 15 days each on 1 January and 1 July. It can be accumulated up to a maximum of 300 days.

Ref: CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 26

20 days Half Pay Leave is credited per completed year of service (10 days each on 1 Jan and 1 Jul). HPL can be taken on medical certificate or for private affairs.

Ref: CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 29

Half Pay Leave may be commuted on medical certificate up to the full HPL due; twice the days commuted are debited from the HPL account.

Ref: CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 30

Paid maternity leave of 180 days is admissible to a female government servant with fewer than two surviving children, on production of a medical certificate.

Ref: CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43

15 days of paternity leave is admissible to a male government servant with fewer than two surviving children, to be taken within six months of the delivery.

Ref: CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-A

When no HPL is at credit, Leave Not Due up to 360 days in the whole career may be granted on medical certificate; it is debited against HPL earned later.

Ref: CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 31

EL standing at credit is encashed on retirement or resignation, subject to an overall ceiling of 300 days including any EL encashed earlier during LTC.

Ref: CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 39

Increments are granted on 1 July or 1 January depending on the date of appointment; at least six months of qualifying service are required for an increment.

Ref: CCS (Revised Pay) Rules 2016, Rule 10

On promotion, pay is fixed at the next higher cell in the new level after granting one notional increment; an option to fix from the date of increment is available.

Ref: FR 22 / CCS (RP) Rules 2016, Rule 13

DA is a percentage of basic pay revised twice a year (January and July) based on the All-India Consumer Price Index; orders are issued by the Finance Ministry.

Ref: MoF/DoE DA orders (bi-annual)

HRA is paid at prescribed percentages of basic pay depending on city classification (X/Y/Z). Rates step up automatically when DA crosses notified thresholds.

Ref: MoF OM on HRA, 7th CPC

Transport Allowance is payable monthly at rates linked to pay level and city class; employees absent for a full calendar month generally forfeit it for that month.

Ref: DoE OM on Transport Allowance

A refundable GPF advance (normally repayable in up to 24 instalments) or a non-refundable withdrawal for specified purposes may be sanctioned after prescribed service.

Ref: GPF (CS) Rules 1960

A government servant may accept gifts only within prescribed value limits and on customary occasions; anything above the threshold needs prior sanction or reporting.

Ref: CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 13

Giving, taking or abetting the giving or taking of dowry is treated as misconduct and renders the official liable to disciplinary action.

Ref: CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 13-A

No private trade, business or employment may be undertaken without prior sanction. Honorary work of a literary, scientific or charitable nature is generally allowed.

Ref: CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 15

An annual immovable property return must be submitted every January. Acquisition or disposal of property above prescribed values needs prior intimation or sanction.

Ref: CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18

Membership of political parties and taking part in political activities or canvassing are barred; the right to vote and form service associations is unaffected.

Ref: CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 5

During suspension a subsistence allowance of 50% of pay is paid; it can rise to 75% if the suspension extends beyond 90 days for reasons not attributable to the official.

Ref: CCS (CCA) Rules 1965 / FR 53

A Post Office Savings Account must keep the prescribed minimum balance (currently Rs 500 for a cheque facility). Accounts with no transaction for three financial years turn silent.

Ref: POSB (CBS) Manual / SB Orders

Nomination may be registered, varied or cancelled at any time while the account is active. Nomination at opening greatly simplifies settlement of claims after death.

Ref: POSB Rules / GSPR 2018

A guardian may open and operate an account for a minor. On attaining majority the account holder operates it independently after fresh KYC and signatures.

Ref: POSB (CBS) Manual

Post office savings accounts can be transferred free of charge between post offices on application; under CBS most transactions are anyway possible at any office.

Ref: POSB (CBS) Manual

Proof of identity and address (e.g. Aadhaar, PAN) is required at account opening, and periodic re-KYC applies to higher-risk categories of accounts.

Ref: SB Orders on KYC / PMLA rules

Interest beyond the Income-Tax threshold (Rs 10,000 generally, higher for senior citizens) attracts TDS. Eligible depositors may file Form 15G/15H to avoid deduction.

Ref: Income Tax Act s.194A / SB Orders

Postal Life Insurance is open to employees of Central/State governments, PSUs, local bodies, educational institutions and listed professions; Rural PLI covers rural residents.

Ref: PLI Rules 2011

The maximum sum assured under PLI schemes is Rs 50 lakh in aggregate per life; Rural PLI carries a lower maximum of Rs 10 lakh.

Ref: PLI / RPLI scheme rules

A rebate is admissible for half-yearly and yearly premium modes, and premiums can be recovered from salary where the employer permits.

Ref: PLI rules / insurant guide

A loan against the policy's surrender value becomes admissible after the policy has run for the prescribed period (normally three or four years depending on the plan).

Ref: PLI rules

A grace period is allowed for premium payment - about 30 days for yearly/half-yearly/quarterly modes and 15 days for monthly mode - before the policy lapses.

Ref: PLI rules

A lapsed policy may be revived within the prescribed period on payment of arrears with interest and, where required, a medical report or certificate of insurability.

Ref: PLI rules

Speed Post carries indicative delivery norms - typically 1-3 days within states and metros and longer for remote destinations; these are service norms, not a guarantee.

Ref: Speed Post service standards

Registered articles are delivered to the addressee or an authorised person against signature. If undelivered, an intimation is left and the article is held at the post office.

Ref: PO Guide

Unpaid articles may be redirected to a new address within the prescribed period; redirection beyond the free window or by air may need additional postage.

Ref: PO Guide

Articles that cannot be delivered are held for the prescribed deposit period, then returned to sender; those failing both ways go to the Returned Letter Office.

Ref: PO Guide / RLO rules

Compensation for lost, damaged or delayed Speed Post is payable under the tariff conditions; insured articles are compensated up to the declared insured value.

Ref: PO Guide Part II / Speed Post terms

GDS engagement is by system-generated merit on 10th-standard marks only - no exam or interview. A weightage applies where the board gives grades instead of marks.

Ref: GDS engagement instructions

The age band is normally 18-40 years at the notification date, with relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC and additional relaxation for PwD candidates.

Ref: GDS engagement instructions

Gramin Dak Sevaks draw Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA), not pay under CCS (RP) Rules. GDS service is distinct from regular civil service.

Ref: GDS (Conduct & Engagement) Rules 2020

A minimum daily duty of about four to five hours is prescribed, and the TRCA level is linked to the assessed workload of the post.

Ref: GDS (C&E) Rules 2020

GDS are entitled to paid leave (about 20 days a year), 180 days of maternity leave for eligible female GDS, and limited leave without allowance, per the C&E Rules.

Ref: GDS (C&E) Rules 2020

On discharge at the prescribed age (65) a severance amount per the notified table is payable, along with ex-gratia gratuity subject to minimum qualifying service.

Ref: GDS (C&E) Rules 2020