Punjab State (Group D) Service (First Amendment) Rules, 2025

Punjab Govt. Notifies Changes to Group-D Service Rules: What You Need to Know 

On June 12, 2025, the Government of Punjab issued a significant notification amending the Punjab State (Group-D) Service Rules, 1963. This development, published in the Punjab Government Gazette (June 20, 2025), brings important updates regarding recruitment methods and pay scales for Group-D employees in Punjab. Here's what you should know:

Key Highlights of the Amendment

• Notification Details:
  The amendment, titled Punjab State (Group-D) Service (First Amendment) Rules, 2025, is made by the authority of the Governor of Punjab under Article 309 of the Constitution of India. Interestingly, the rules have a retrospective effect—they are deemed to have come into force on July 17, 2020

  Recruitment Methods:
  For posts with pay scales of Rs.18,000-56,900, appointments can now be made:

• • By direct appointment,

  • By transfer or deputation of an existing government official.

• Pay Scale Revisions:

  • Existing Employees (Before July 17, 2020):
    They will remain on the Rs.18,000-56,900 pay scale, aligned with Level-1 of the 6th Punjab Pay Commission.

  • New Appointees (On or After July 17, 2020):
    Their pay will be fixed at Rs.18,000-56,900 according to Level-1 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Matrix.

  • Promotions:
    Employees joining on or after July 17, 2020, will remain on the 7th CPC pay pattern even upon promotion—the 6th Punjab Pay Commission pay scales will not apply to them at any stage.

Implications of the Amendment

• Uniformity with Central Pay Structure:
  By adopting the 7th CPC Matrix for appointments from July 2020 onward, Punjab aligns its pay structure for Group-D staff with national standards, ensuring better equity and comparability.

• Clear Divide for Pay Fixation:
  There is a clear differentiation between those appointed before and after July 17, 2020. The continuity of pay commission linkage is maintained at promotion levels for all new appointees, avoiding future confusion over applicable pay bands.

• Retrospective Enforcement:
  The retrospective date means that any Group-D appointments or promotions made since July 17, 2020, will be governed by these new provisions. This is crucial for current and future HR practitioners and employees affected by the rule change.

Why This Amendment Matters

• For Employees:
  Group-D employees must check their appointment dates and pay slips to ensure correct implementation of the revised pay scales, particularly if appointed on or after July 17, 2020.

• For Government Departments:
  Personnel officers need to verify compliance with the amended rules in all recruitment, promotion, and deputation cases since the cut-off date.

• For Job Aspirants:
  This reform clarifies the pay scales they can expect and reassures them of parity with central standards.

Conclusion:
The Punjab government’s amendment streamlines the pay and recruitment framework for Group-D employees. With prospective as well as retrospective impact, it emphasizes the importance of date of joining for service members and HR management alike. If you're connected to Punjab’s public service sector—whether as an employee, aspirant, or administrator—keep these changes top of mind to ensure rightful benefits and compliance

Punjab State (Group D) Service (First Amendment) Rules, 2025

Personnel Policies 1 Branch, Department of Personnel, Government of Punjab

No.G.S.R.85/Const./Art.309/Amd.(8)/2025 Dated 12-06-2025