Central government employees who acquire additional and higher qualifications after joining service are eligible for a one-time lump sum incentive. This amount usually ranges from Rs 2000 to Rs 10,000, as per the 7th Central Pay Commission and as stated in a 2019 office memorandum of the Department of Personnel & Training. However, those who acquire additional / higher qualification such as a PhD can get up to Rs 30,000.
In 2019, the Centre had superseded all prevalent memorandums, orders and rules pertaining to this one-time incentive granted for obtaining additional higher qualifications and said that the incentive would only be given if the qualification obtained is pertinent to the employee’s existing job or has direct relevance to his / her future role at the next level.
It was also clarified that the incentive will not be paid for obtaining qualifications that were essential or stated as desirable for the job at the time of recruitment for the post. The courses undertaken should actually enhance the efficiency and performance of the said employee.
The incentive will not be granted for doing academic or literary courses. The qualification should be directly related to the functions of the post held by him/her, or to the functions to be performed in the next higher post.
The incentive will only be granted twice in an employee’s tenure, with at least two years’ gap.
