Issued by: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department: Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)
Document Type: Consolidated Instructions (Updated OM)
Subject: Applicability, procedure, and review mechanism related to Sealed Cover cases in promotions of Government Servants.
🚨 When Is the Sealed Cover Procedure Applicable?
The procedure applies during promotions when a Government Servant is:
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Under suspension, or
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Facing disciplinary proceedings (Charge sheet issued), or
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Facing a criminal prosecution (as defined in Rule 8, Explanation 1(b)(i) of CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021).
Note: Judicial proceedings are deemed to begin when the Magistrate takes cognizance of the complaint or police report.
🗃️ What Happens If Issues Arise After DPC Recommendation?
If any of the above conditions arise after DPC has recommended a promotion but before actual promotion, the recommendation is treated as a Sealed Cover case.
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No promotion is granted until full exoneration.
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If another inquiry starts after exoneration from the first, promotion benefits may still be given from the date the junior was promoted.
🔍 How Should the DPC Proceed?
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Assessment continues without regard to pending cases.
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Grading/result is kept in a sealed envelope, not disclosed until finalization of the case.
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All future DPCs must follow the same sealed cover procedure until the case concludes.
📆 Six-Monthly Review of Sealed Cover Cases
Appointing authorities must review sealed cover cases every six months to:
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Track progress of proceedings.
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Take steps to avoid undue delay.
🚀 Ad-Hoc Promotions (After 2 Years)
If the case remains unresolved for over 2 years, ad-hoc promotion may be considered if:
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Officer is not suspended.
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Promotion is not against public interest.
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Charges aren’t severe.
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There’s no delay caused by the employee.
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There’s no scope of misuse post-promotion.
If approved:
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Promotion is ad-hoc and temporary.
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May be revoked anytime.
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Can be regularized later if exonerated.
✅ What Happens After Exoneration?
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Sealed Cover opened.
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Promotion granted retrospectively from the date the junior was promoted.
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Notional promotion and arrears may be given, depending on the appointing authority’s discretion.
If the officer has retired by the time of exoneration:
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He may receive notional promotion and pension fixation based on the promoted pay.
⚖️ If Appeal or Penalty Exists
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Promotion may be made provisionally, subject to court outcome.
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If convicted on appeal, promotion is cancelled and the officer is reverted.
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If penalty is imposed, sealed cover recommendation is ignored, and case is considered in the next DPC.
📌 Special Notes
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“Warning” is not an acceptable penalty post-disciplinary proceedings – minimum penalty should be “Censure”.
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Sealed cover rules also apply to confirmation of officers (not just promotions).
📄 References:
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OM No. 22011/4/91-Estt.(A) dated 14.09.1992
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OM No. 22011/2/2002-Estt.(A) dated 24.02.2003
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OM No. 22034/4/2012-Estt.(D-II) dated 23.01.2014
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OM No. 22011/3/2013-Estt.(D) dated 25.01.2016
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OM No. 11012/6/2016-Estt.(A-III) dated 19.01.2017