MACP applicable to Scientists who are covered under Flexible Complementing Scheme

In the reply to a query raised in the Rajya Sabha Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office, Shri V. Narayanasamy replied as follows.

Flexible Complementing Scheme for Promotion of Scientists Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) for in-situ promotion of scientists/technical personnel in the scientific Departments as a career advancement scheme is operative as per modified FCS guidelines, issued by DoPT after the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC). As per the same, the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP), as approved for Central Govt. civilian employees would also be applicable to scientists covered under FCS.

FCS is applicable to Scientists and Engineers who possess academic qualification of at least Master’s Degree in Natural/Agriculture Sciences or Bachelors Degree in Engineering/Technology/Medicine. It is necessary that the Scientists are engaged in scientific and innovative activities as distinct from the mere application of technical knowledge.

Under the Modified FCS guidelines, issued after 6th CPC, MACP as approved for Central Govt. civilian employees would also be applicable to those scientists, covered under FCS, who do not get in-situ promotion under the FCS. This is expected to provide an alternate channel for development for Scientists.

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The following are the scheme details:

i.    The  Flexible  Complementing  Scheme  in  position  in  certain  scientific Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations of the Government shall continue, and promotions under the FCS shall be limited to posts carrying a grade pay of Rs.10,000 or lower. The merit based promotion scheme in the Departments of Space, Atomic Energy and DRDO shall also continue and promotions under the scheme shall be limited to posts carrying a grade pay of Rs.12,000 or lower.

 ii. All the posts covered under FCS shall carry the following uniform pay bands/ grade pay, designation and the minimum residency period linked to performance.

Pay band & grade pay Designation Minimum Residency
Period linked to
Performance

1

PB-3 (Rs.15600-39100) Scientist B 3 years.
Grade Pay Rs.5400/

2

PB-3 (Rs.15600-39100) Scientist C 4 years.
Grade Pay Rs. 6600/

3

PB-3(Rs.15600-39100) Scientist D 4 years
Grade Pay  Rs. 7600/

4

PB-4 (Rs.37400-67000) Scientist E 5 years
Grade Pay Rs. 8700

5

PB-4 (Rs.37400-67000) Scientist F 5 years
Grade Pay Rs. 8900

6

PB-4( Rs. 37400-67000) Scientist G —-
Grade Pay  Rs. 10000/
  1. There shall be two level of assessment for FCS. The first one would be at internal level for screening purpose and next level assessment should have majority of external members.
  1. The assessment board for judging should have majority of external members possessing expertise in the field. Greater
emphasis to be placed on achievement as evaluated by an independent peer group rather than seniority. The revised assessment procedure as prescribed in Annexure I shall henceforth be followed by all scientific Ministries/ Departments for considering advancement under FCS.
  1. Henceforth, the benefits of FCS shall be extended only in such Departments as are involved in creating new scientific knowledge or innovative engineering, technological or medical techniques or which are predominantly involved in professional research and development and / or application of scientific knowledge. The modified criteria for identifying departments as scientific and technical and parameters for determining scientific activities and services, scientists and engineers and scientific posts will be as in the Annexure II to this scheme.

 

  1. In order to extend the benefit of the Flexible Complementing Scheme to other scientific departments, the criteria for identifying an organisation as scientific would be decided and notified by the Department of Science and Technology, keeping in view the definition given in this regard. One such definition given by

Department of Science and Technology is at Annexure III. The organisations that are demanding the extension of FCS in their case, the administrative Ministry of such organisations shall satisfy itself that such institutions are scientific and technical institutions and the officers are scientists holding scientific posts and are involved in scientific and technical activities as defined in the Annexure II to the FCS scheme and make its recommendations to the Department of Science and Technology. On receipt of such a request the Department of Science & Technology shall set up a Committee, which shall include eminent scientists relevant to the discipline, for examining the proposal referred by the administrative Ministry concerned. Since it is not necessary that all the pay scales under the Flexible

Complementing Scheme should be applicable in all the scientific organizations, as the size of the organization may not justify introduction of the entire group of scales, the Committee, while making its recommendation , would take a specific view as to the number of scales that should be operated in the organization as well as the appropriate residency period for ensuring an even pace of promotion. However, the progression under Flexible Complementing Scheme will only be as per scales indicated in

para (ii) of the scheme. The recommendations of the committee shall be processed by the administrative ministry concerned and shall be considered in consultation with DoPT and Department of  Expenditure.

  1. If FCS is adopted by Autonomous Bodies, its implementation should not require ACC approval, as promotion/up gradation within autonomous Bodies does not come under the purview of ACC.

Viii. The modified ACP as approved for Central government civilian employees would also be applicable to scientists covered under FCS. This is expected to provide an alternate channel for development for scientists and is expected to maintain the rigors of assessment required for assessment under FCS. Some illustrations are given below for clarity:

A scientist ‘B’ is considered but does not get upgradation under the FCS. He would be entitled to grade of Scientist. ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘E’ on completion of 10/20/30 years of service subject to provisions of MACP notified vide OM No. 35034/3/2008-Estt. (D) dated 19th May, 2009.

A Scientist ‘B’ gets upgradation to Scientist C under FCS in second chance after 4 years. After prescribed residency, he does not qualify under FCS for three successive years for upgradation to Sc. D. After completion of ten years in the grade pay of Scientist ‘C’ i.e. after 14 years of service he is upgraded to Scientist ‘D’ under MACPS, subject to provisions of MACP notified vide OM No. 35034/3/2008-Estt. (D) dated 19th May, 2009. After prescribed residency of 4 years in Scientist D, he would again be considered for upgradation to Scientist ‘E’ under FCS. In case he does not qualify for three successive years, he would be upgraded to Scientist ‘E’ after completion of 10 years in the grade pay of Scientist ‘D’ i.e. after 24 years of service. Further upgradation to Scientist F and Scientist ‘G’ would only be under FCS as the Scientist would have got three upgradations and no further upgradation under MACPS would be permissible.

If a scientist gets three up-gradations under the FCS scheme, there would be no claim for any further up-gradation under MACPS as the MACP scheme only allows

three financial up-gradation in the hierarchy of Pay bands and grade pay on completion of 10, 20 and 30 years of service respectively.ix. Scientists/ Technical experts doing management/ administrative work in the Ministries should not be considered for up gradation under FCS, they should only be given benefit of up gradation under MACP.

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ANNEXURE – I

CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERING PROMOTIONS UNDER FLEXIBLE COMPLEMENTING SCHME

1. An annual work report format to capture scientific content of work performed has been designed in consultation with Department of Science & Technology (enclosed at Annexure IV). The annual work report format (part A) would be filled up by the officer along with the ACR and would get reported upon by the reporting officer. The nature of S&T work output indicators is also indicated. The internal peer assessment would be in part C at the time of consideration under FCS.

The new format on “annual work report” will not replace the regular system of recording ACR. The proposed format will be filled by the officer under consideration for the purpose of assessment and screening.

 

  1. All scientists eligible as per the scheme for the FCS shall be considered for up-gradation under FCS. Exceptionally meritorious candidates with all outstanding grading may be granted relaxation in the residency period, the relaxation being not more than one year on any single occasion, limited to a maximum of two occasions in their entire career. However the assessment under FCS for next grade would only be three times and thereafter the scientist would be covered under modified

ACP scheme according to provisions of that scheme. The scientist who has been granted any grade under MACP can be considered for next grade under FCS according to the eligibility and other provisions of FCS.

 

  1. Level 1 Screening (Internal)

 

An internal screening committee shall be constituted by the concerned Department for evaluation of annual work reports vis-a-vis the criteria for up-gradation under FCS. An external member, from Departments of Atomic Energy, Space or DRDO who have developed over the years a fine tuned system of screening meritorious Scientists on the basis of ACRs, may be co-opted in the selection process. All scientists eligible according to the provisions of FCS and who meet the benchmark of ‘Good’

8

 

for Scientist C and ‘V. Good’ for Sc. D and above would be screened in. The internal screening committee would report on the scientific content of work done by the Scientist in part C of the reporting format and same would be made available to the external assessment committee.

ii.    Level 2 Screening ( External)

The assessment boards shall be constituted in each scientific Department/ Ministry. The assessment board would have majority of the external members and possess expertise in the field. In case required, suitable amendment to the provisions for assessment boards in recruitment rules etc. may be considered to bring the composition of assessment boards in tune with these instructions The assessment board would have characteristic of independent peer group for the assessment of the scientific content of the work. The assessment board shall document specifically through one page summary, the specific content of the work done justifying the merit for consideration under FCS.

The Departmental peer review committees shall undertake level 2 screening for assessment of scientists for their suitability for Scientist ‘F’/ scientist ‘G’. The assessment boards/DPRC functioning as Special Peer Review Committee (SPRC) should specifically certify that the Scientists recommended met with all the criteria for in situ up gradation under FCS.

  1. Field experience in research and development and/or experience in implementation of such scientific projects is compulsory for promotion of scientists recruited to the posts in the Secretariat of the Scientific Ministries/Departments to higher grades under FCS. Field experience of at least 2 years and 5 years respectively will be essential for promotion to Scientist F and Scientist G grades respectively. The criteria for field experience for different scientific activities have been elaborated under Scientific Activities and Services in Annexure II. To meet this requirement, existing scientists at Headquarters can be considered for appointment on deputation basis to the

 

 

scientific laboratories/ institutes or other relevant scientific activities under the respective scientific Ministries/ Departments. In the case of small scientific Ministries/ Departments the feasibility of inter-departmental deputation can be explored. In future, initial appointment to the scientific posts in the scientific Ministries/

departments  in  the  R&D  management  function  should  preferably
be in the level of scientist ‘D’ and above.

4.

Scientists/ Technical experts doing management/ administrative
work  in  the  Ministries  should  not  be  considered  for  up  gradation
under  FCS,  they  should  only  be  given  benefit  of  up  gradation
under MACP.

ANNEXURE-II

CRITERIA FOR IDENTIFYING INSTITUTIONS/ ORGANISATIONS AS SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL

  • The institutions referred to as S&T would be characterized by pursuit of excellence;
  • They should be involved in creating new scientific knowledge or innovative engineering, technological or medical techniques or which are predominantly involved in professional research and development work.
  • The scientific culture is characterized by a few salient aspects, namely the persons involved are highly qualified and skilled technical personnel, involved in creative and innovative activity, they are willing to be judged based on the basis of merit and competence rather than on the basis of seniority and a hierarchical structure;
  • The criteria could cover the aims and objectives of the institution/organization, qualifications of the personnel, qualitative requirements for performance of various types of activities etc.

Scientific Activities and Services

(a) Fundamental/basic research: Original investigation

to

gain new   scientific knowledge,   not necessarily

directed

towards any  specific  practical  aim  or  application; Working

in

scientific laboratories/ institutes, period spent on doctoral / post doctoral degrees in basic research after joining an organisation, etc. would constitute field experience for the purpose of FCS.

(b) Applied Research: Original investigation to gain new scientific or technical knowledge directed towards a specific practical aim or objective; Working in scientific laboratories/ institutes, period spent on doctoral / post doctoral degrees in applied research after joining an organisation etc. would constitute field experience for the purpose of FCS.

( c) Experimental Development: Application of scientific knowledge directed towards producing new or substantially improved materials, devices, products, processes, systems or services; ‘field experience’ would depend on the work profile of the Department . The defining factor would be that the work is not of routine use of scientific knowledge but involves application of scientific knowledge for creation of new / innovative systems, practices, models. .

(d) S&T activities which are directly linked to R&D in terms of promoting the scientific activities and services. Working in R & D laboratories and institutions, scientific projects being operated in mission mode, working on international collaboration R & D projects etc. would constitute the field experience under FCS.

Scientific Post

Is the one, the incumbent of which is a ‘Scientist or Engineer’ defined as below in a scientific institution/organization declared as ‘Scientific Department’ as defined above and is engaged in creating new scientific knowledge or innovative engineering, technological or medical techniques or which is involved predominantly in professional research work and development.

Scientists and Engineers

Persons,

  • Who possess academic qualification of at least Master’s degree in Natural/Agricultural Sciences or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Technology/Medicine; and
  • hold scientific posts as defined above.

It is reiterated that only such scientists would be eligible for promotion under the scheme, who not only possess the requisite qualifications, and are engaged in Scientific and innovative activities as distinct from the mere application of technical knowledge; and further, the function discharged by them are relatable/ identifiable to their academic specialization.

ANNEXURE.  III

CRITRIA FOR IDENTIFYING S&T AGNENCIES/ ORGANISATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF FLEXIBLE COMPLEMENTING SCHEME (FCS) IN GOVERNEMNT OF INDIA

Type of S&T S&T  Output indicators
10X
Output Product Outputs/Scientist
Knowledge Publication on SCI Journals
Product Link
Publication in referred journals
Publications in proceedings
Books and Monographs
Patents/Copyrights/Designs
Invited Scientific Lectures
Scientific Study Reports
Technology Process Know-how
Product Link
Product know-how
Design know-how
Technology status reports
Technology intelligence reports
Technology foresight reports
Technology assessment reports
Economic Contract Research Income
Product Link
Consultancy Service Income
Royalty Income
Competitive research grants gained
Technology licensing fees earned
R&D Service income realized
Scientific Publications Sold
S&T Extra & Intra mural R&D projects
Management
Product Link managed S& T management reports
for external use
IPR Documentation
Monitoring and closure reports
S&T Output-Input correlations
S&T data base reports
Strategy planning Documents
S&T mission implementation
Cabinet Note, EFC/SFC Notes
prepared for S&T schemes
Type of S&T S&T  Output indicators 10X
Output Product Outputs/Scientist
S&T Services Testing services
Product Link
Laboratory Accreditation
Good Laboratory Practice Inspection
S&T Survey
R&D Service: Energy/Environmental
Audit
R&D Service: Environmental impact
appraisals
Natural wealth and Hazard
Assessment
S&T information services- Analysis
Bibliometric and Scientometric
Analysis
Preparation of Technical Manuals
Derivation of Scientific/ Technical
Codes
S&T outputs from
Workshops/Seminars
S&T Human
Resource Master’s level education
Product Link
Doctoral level training
Post doctoral training
S&T management courses
Specialized man power for R&D
sector
Science education/knowledge
dissemination
Training on advanced technical and
Analytical methodologies
Societal Technology field demonstrations
Outreach of Design of outreach materials
S&T Outputs Dissemination of R&D outputs
Artisanal training/Skill Development
Initiates
Grass root S&T related actions
Technology adaptation  for local
needs
Convergent technology solutions
delivered
Type of S&T S&T  Output indicators 10X
Output Product Outputs/Scientist
S&T Policy Drafting of Technical standards
Product Links
R&D investment policy framework
National policy frame work for
innovation systems
Design of policies for stimulation of
R&D
National policy frame work for
technology systems
Design and development of
regulatory frame works
Evidence gathering for policy
building
Global bench marks for technology
systems
S&T PPP Products for S&T sector
Cooperation National competitiveness
Products assessment for bilateral cooperation
Technology Assessment for
diplomacy
Technology Assessment for
international synergies
Technology Assessment for
acquisition
Academy-research partnership built
Technical Work Programmes drafted
for S&T Cooperation

Criteria Recommended:-

• Agencies/ Organizations seeking qualification as S&T Organisation/agency for implementing FCS must:

o  Generate at least 3 out of 9 knowledge products

  • Select about 20 S&T output indicators from  the list provided
  • In case any other S&T output indicators need to be included as a criterion, a Standing Advisory Committee involving Secretary, DST may be constituted

 

  • It is recommended that S&T Institutions/Organizations seeking implementation of FCS are able to quantify collective outputs from the selected list of S&T output indictors for a group of 10 S&T professional/Officer for their own internal assessment.

 

4 Comments

  1. Shri V. Narayanasamy,

    Good morning,

    I think, automation is required for promotion of an individual. Man based proposal. grading, etc. may always be with human-error. I myself experienced the fact for 31 years in R&D sector.

    Please notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail. I have sent so many comments but no comments are received so far.

  2. Mr. R.N. Sharma , You are right.

    Human evaluation based promotions should be stopped in Scientific/Technical orgnizations. And written examination should be MUST for all scientists. Then flattery/bad intention not comes in promotion system. Promotions should be bsed on Merit/Aptitude based.

  3. Please clarify that whether MACP scheme is also applicable for Defence Research & Technical Cadre (DRTC) of DRDO or not? i.e. for STA ‘A’ STA ‘B’, Technical Officers etc. or not.

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