Knowledge of Punjabi Language

No person shall be appointed to any post in any Service by direct appointment unless he has passed Matriculation examination with Punjabi as one of the compulsory or elective subjects or any other equivalent examination in Punjabi language, which may be specified by the Government from time to time: Provided that where a person is appointed on compassionate grounds on priority basis under the instructions issued in this behalf by the government from time to time, the person so appointed shall have to pass an examination of Punjabi Language equivalent to Matriculation standard or he shall have to qualify a test conducted by the Language Wing of the Department of Education of Punjab Government within a period of six months from the date of his appointment: Provided further that where educational qualifications for a post in any service are lower than Matriculation standard, then the person so appointed shall have to pass an examination of Punjabi Language equivalent to Middle standard: Provided further that where a War Hero, who has been discharged from Defence Services or paramilitary forces on account of disability suffered by him or his widow or dependent member of his family, is appointed under the instructions issued in this behalf by the Government, the person so appointed will not be required to possess aforesaid knowledge of Punjabi Language: Provided further that where a ward of Defence Service Personnel, who is a bona fide resident of Punjab State, is appointed by direct appointment, he shall have to pass an examination of Punjabi Language equivalent to Matriculation standard or he shall have to qualify a test conducted by the Language Wing of the Department of Education of Punjab Government within a period of two years from the date of his appointment.