The Central government has clarified that civilian employees who retired between 1 January, 2006 and 31 August, 2008 will not be eligible for benefits under the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme, as the scheme was not in force during that period.
The clarification was given in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question raised by MP Sanjay Singh on 23 July, 2026. The query sought to know why employees who retired during the implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission had not been granted MACP benefits.
The government accepted the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendation to introduce the MACP Scheme through a resolution notified on 29 August, 2008. The scheme came into effect from 1 September, 2008.
Under the MACP Scheme, eligible Central government employees receive financial upgradations after completing 10, 20 and 30 years of regular service, or after spending 10 years in the same grade pay, if they do not receive regular promotions.
It was also stated that since the scheme did not exist between 1 January, 2006 and 31 August, 2008, there is no question of extending its benefits to employees who retired during that period, irrespective of whether they were in service or had already superannuated.
The issue has gained attention as employee unions have sought changes to the career progression framework before the Eighth Pay Commission.
In its memorandum to the Eighth Pay Commission, the National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM) has proposed increasing the number of financial upgradations under the MACP Scheme from three to five. The body argued that many Group B and Group C employees, particularly those in cadres with limited promotional avenues, complete their entire careers without receiving even three promotions.
The NC-JCM has recommended granting financial upgradations after 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 years of service. It has also called for restructuring cadres to ensure employees receive a minimum of five career progressions over a 30-year service span. Similar demands have also been raised by the All India Defence Employees’ Federation.
