A five-fold increase has been approved by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, in one time incentives given to its employees if they acquire a higher degree while serving in their departments.

In a notification titled 'Incentive for acquiring fresh higher qualifications, in the 7th CPC Scenario — reg', issued on March 15, the ministry said, "Central Government Servants acquiring fresh higher qualifications after coming into service are granted incentive in the form of one-time lump-sum amount ranging from 2000/- to 10,000/-, as provided in this Department's OM No. 1/2/89-Estt.(Pay-l) dated 09.04.1999 and other related OMs."

A 20-year-old norm is seen being amended by the Personnel Ministry, to increase the number of incentives provided for its employees. Before this, people who acquired a higher degree after joining service was given a fixed amount which ranged in between Rs 2000 and Rs 10,000. This move gives employees the motivation to study higher, go for higher degrees and make their skill sets better. It is being made clear that government servants who have acquired a fresh higher education on or after 01/07/2017, can also claim these incentives within six months from the date of issuance of the notification.

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