Government Clarifies No MACP Benefits for Central Employees Who Retired Before 1 September 2008

The Central Government has clarified that Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme benefits cannot be extended to Central Government civilian employees who retired between 1 January 2006 and 31 August 2008, as the scheme was not in existence during that period.

The clarification was provided by Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 603, answered on 23 July 2026.

Parliament Seeks Clarification on MACP Benefits

The question, raised by Shri Sanjay Singh, sought to know:

• Whether Central Government civilian employees who retired during 2006–2008 under the Sixth Central Pay Commission (6th CPC) were denied MACP benefits and the reasons for the same.
• The number of such employees affected, department-wise.
• Whether the Government had issued any Office Memorandum (OM) to grant MACP benefits, arrears, or revised pensionary benefits to employees who retired during this period.

Government Explains Why MACP Is Not Applicable

Responding to the query, the Government stated that it had accepted the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission through a Resolution notified on 29 August 2008, introducing the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) Scheme with effect from 1 September 2008.

The scheme provides three financial upgradations to eligible Central Government employees after completing 10, 20 and 30 years of regular service, or after 10 years of service in the same Grade Pay, counted from the direct entry grade.

No Scope for Retrospective MACP Benefits

The Government categorically clarified that the MACP Scheme was not in force between 1 January 2006 and 31 August 2008. Therefore, there is no question of issuing any Office Memorandum or granting MACP benefits for that period to Central Government civilian employees, whether they were still in service or had already retired.

As a result, employees who retired before 1 September 2008 are not eligible for financial upgradations, arrears, or revised pensionary benefits under the MACP Scheme.

Department-wise Data Not Applicable

Since the Government has taken the position that the MACP Scheme did not exist during the relevant period, it did not provide any department-wise figures of employees allegedly deprived of the benefit.

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