The written examinations will soon be mandatory for promotions in the Group A, B, and C categories of government jobs in Haryana. Notably, the Human Resource Department of the state government has announced that a written examination will now be mandatory for government employees seeking promotions. It has convened a meeting for 16th October to discuss an amended draft policy in this regard and issued a notification to all administrative secretaries.
The meeting will be chaired by the chief secretary. The meeting will deliberate on the draft notification which would make the written exam a pre-requisite for promotions in Group A, B, and C posts.
An official said that the amendments followed extensive feedback from stakeholders after the initial draft was circulated in December last year which was then updated in February this year.
According to the Times of India report, the meeting aims to finalise the policy, invite input from administrative secretaries, and implement the guidelines effectively.
Speaking with the portal, Former chief secretary Sanjeev Kaushal had earlier stated that the policy aims to enhance administrative proficiency by introducing progress based on written exams.
He confirmed that eligibility conditions for promotion remain unchanged, but the new written exam will serve as a qualifying requirement. A senior official added that promotions will still be based on ‘eligibility with seniority’, with the written exam serving as one of the criteria in the selection process.
The official letter dated 9th October 2024 highlighted that the state government had sought recommendations through its circular dated 21st December 2023 and subsequent reminder dated February 28, 2024, on the draft policy aimed at enhancing the administrative framework for promotions across Group A, B, and C posts through written examinations.
It noted, “The State Government, after thorough consideration of the comments received from various stakeholders, has amended the draft notification (copy enclosed) pertaining to the written examination in promotion as a prerequisite for government employees seeking promotion across different departmental categories.”
It added that a meeting has been convened on 16th October 2024, at Haryana Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh.
It is pertinent to note that while government employees belonging to the reserved categories have been seeking reservation in promotions as well, the Supreme Court has maintained that Reservation in job promotions in public posts is not a fundamental right. The apex court also noted that a state cannot be compelled to do so if it chooses not to. Against this backdrop, if the Haryana government implements the draft policy making written exams mandatory for promotions in Group A, B, and C categories of government jobs, it will have the solid backing of the SC rulings.