New Rules for Government Jobs in Himachal: Recruits to Serve as ‘Job Trainees’ for First Two Years

Shimla, July 19:
The Himachal Pradesh government has introduced a major reform in the recruitment process for Group A, B, and C posts in government departments, boards, corporations, and other institutions. Under the new rules, candidates selected through direct recruitment will first serve as ‘Job Trainees’ for two years. During this period, they will receive a fixed monthly stipend and will not be considered government employees. Only after successfully completing this training period and clearing a proficiency test will they be eligible for regular appointment.

The state’s Department of Personnel issued an official notification on Saturday outlining the new policy. The government says the objective behind the move is to promote transparency in recruitment, ensure accountability and professionalism among new hires, and strengthen the administrative system for better public service delivery.

Key Highlights of the New Policy:

• Training Phase:
  Selected candidates will be assigned specific duties in their respective departments during the two-year training period. They will be entitled to healthcare benefits under schemes like HIMCARE or Ayushman Bharat, but will not receive benefits such as leave entitlements, pensions, or other allowances available to regular employees.

• Leave Entitlements During Training:
  Trainees will be eligible for:

  • One casual leave per month,

  • 10 days of medical leave annually,

  • 5 days of special leave annually.
    Women trainees will be entitled to 180 days of maternity leave (for up to two living children) and 45 days of leave in case of miscarriage.

• Travel Allowances:
  Trainees will be entitled to TA/DA equivalent to that of the lowest pay grade government employee, when traveling for official duties.

• Status and Examination:
  The trainees will not be given the status of government employees during this period. Rules governing regular employees such as CCS rules, pension, and leave rules will not apply to them.
  Regular appointment will only follow successful completion of a proficiency test, the syllabus of which will be decided by the respective department. The test will be conducted by an authorized agency.

• Recruitment Oversight:
  The recruitment process will continue to be handled by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, or other authorized agencies. The state’s reservation policy will remain fully applicable.
  Before any appointment as a Job Trainee, approval from the Finance Department and the competent authority will be mandatory.

Exemptions from the Scheme:

Certain posts have been exempted from this new policy. These include:

• Officers selected through HP Administrative Services (HPAS),

• Judicial officers (Civil Judges),

• Associate Professors and Professors in medical colleges,

• Professors in the AYUSH Department,

• Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACF),

• Naib Tehsildars,

• Section Officers in the HP Finance and Accounts Services (HPF&AS),

• Assistant State Taxes and Excise Officers, and

• Male and female Constables in the police force.

This move marks a significant shift in Himachal Pradesh’s recruitment policy, aimed at ensuring greater efficiency and merit-based integration of new employees into government service.