Criteria, Eligibility and Procedure for Promotion.

(1) As soon as the Appointing Authority determines the number of vacancies under rule regarding determination of vacancies of these rules and decides that a certain number of post are required to be filled in by promotion, it shall subject to the provisions of sub-rule (6), prepare a correct and complete list of the senior most persons who are eligible and qualified under these rules for promotion on the basis of seniority cum merit or on the basis of merit to the class of posts concerned. (2) The persons enumerated in the relevant column regarding post from which promotion is to be made, of the relevant Schedule shall be eligible for promotion to posts specified against them in column 2 thereof to the extent indicated in column 3 subject to their possessing minimum qualifications and experience on the first day of the month of April of the year of selection as specified in the relevant column regarding minimum qualification and experience for promotion. Provided that for first promotion in the Service if number of persons substantively appointed and confirmed on the lowest post, equal to the number of vacancies, are not available then persons who have been appointed to the lowest post in the Service after selection in accordance with one of the methods of recruitment prescribed under these Rules, shall also be eligible if they fulfill other conditions of eligibility. Explanation:- In case direct recruitment to a post has been made earlier than regular selection by promotion in a particular year, such of the persons who are or were eligible for appointment to that post by both the methods of recruitment and have been appointed by direct recruitment first, shall also be considered for promotion. (4) Selection for promotion in the regular line of promotion from the post/posts not included in Service to the lowest post or category of post in the Service shall be made strictly on the basis of merit and on the basis of seniority-cum-merit in the proportion of 50:50. Provided that if the Committee is satisfied that suitable persons are not available for selection by promotion strictly on the basis of merit in a particular year, selection by promotion on the basis of seniority-cum-merit may be made in the same manner as specified in these Rules. (5) Deleted. (6) Selection for promotion to all other higher posts or higher categories of posts in the State Service shall be made on the basis of merit and on the basis on seniority-cum-merit in the proportion of 50:50. Provided that if the Committee is satisfied that suitable persons are not available for selection by promotion strictly on the basis of merit in a particular year, selection by promotion on the basis of seniority-cum-merit may be made in the same manner as specified in these Rules. (7) Selection for promotion to the highest post or highest categories of posts in the State Service shall always be made on the basis of merit alone. (8) Deleted. Explanation:- If any doubt arises about the categorization of the post as the lowest, next higher or highest post in the Service, the matter shall be referred to the Government in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms whose decision thereon shall be final. (9) “The Zone of consideration of persons eligible for promotion shall be as under:- (i) Number of Vacancies Number of eligible persons to be considered. (a) for one vacancy Five eligible persons. (b) for two vacancies Eight eligible persons. (c) for three vacancies Ten eligible persons. (d) for four or more vacancies. Three times the number of vacancies. (ii) Where, the number of eligible persons for promotion to higher post is less than the number specified above, all the persons so eligible shall be considered. (iii) Where, adequate number of the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes of the Scheduled Tribes, as the case may be, are not available within the zone of consideration specified above, the zone of consideration may be extended to 'seven' times the number of vacancies and the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes, as the case may be (and not any other) coming within the extended zone of consideration shall also be considered against the vacancies reserved for them.