Deputation in 60 seconds
Deputation generally means a regular employee temporarily serving outside the cadre/organisation in which they hold their substantive post, under approved terms. It is not the same as permanent absorption.
Not automatically permanent
Deputation is for a defined tenure. Absorption, if permitted, is a separate process requiring the applicable rules and approvals.
Terms must be clear
Confirm post, pay, allowance, tenure, joining time, leave, pension/NPS arrangements and repatriation conditions in writing.
Not one rule for all
General DoPT instructions do not replace special rules for AIS, Central Staffing Scheme, statutory posts or particular cadres.
1. Who is covered?
General framework
The consolidated instructions generally cover regular appointments on deputation/foreign service under the Recruitment Rules to ex-cadre posts under Central/State Governments, UT administrations, PSUs, autonomous/statutory bodies, universities and local bodies, where applicable.
Separate instructions may apply
The consolidated document identifies categories governed by separate rules, including All India Services and Central Staffing Scheme appointments. Statutory posts and organisation-specific provisions may also control the case.
2. The usual deputation process
Check eligibility and Recruitment Rules
Match your substantive post, service/cadre, pay level, qualifications and experience against the notified post.
Apply through the prescribed channel
Follow the vacancy circular. Applications may need cadre/lending-authority routing, APARs, vigilance clearance, integrity certificate and cadre clearance, as required.
Obtain formal selection and approvals
Selection and required no-objection/cadre clearances must be completed by competent authorities. A selection communication alone is not a relieving order.
Read the terms before accepting
Check effective date, tenure, pay option, DDA, posting, joining time, leave and pension/NPS responsibilities.
Join after proper relief
Coordinate relieving and joining dates. Keep copies of the relieving order, joining report, option submitted, pay-fixation order and extension order.
3. Tenure, extension and cooling-off
Tenure limits depend on the governing deputation framework. Do not use one maximum period for every post or service.
| Question | Practical rule | Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Initial tenure | Use the tenure in the vacancy notice and appointment order, read with the governing DoPT instructions. | Start date and exact end date. |
| Extension | Extension is not automatic; competent authority approval must be obtained in writing under the applicable framework. | Required concurrence, total permissible tenure and whether approval was issued before expiry. |
| Maximum tenure | General instructions contain standard tenure and extension/delegation rules, with exclusions and amendments. | 2010 OM and amendments, including applicable 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2022 instructions. |
| Cooling-off | Cooling-off is scheme/post-specific; do not apply it indiscriminately to every deputation. | Whether a mandatory cooling-off rule applies to your service/post. |
| Expiry | Do not assume service is authorised merely because an extension request is pending. | Written extension/approval or timely repatriation. |
4. Pay fixation on deputation
Pay fixation depends on the applicable DoPT instructions, the pay structures of the parent and ex-cadre posts, and the terms in the offer/order.
Option and fixation
Where rules permit a pay-fixation choice, exercise it in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time. The method may differ for deputation within Central Government, foreign service/reverse foreign service, and special schemes.
Do not assume: promotion-style fixation under FR 22 automatically applies to every deputation case.
Before accepting
- Confirm ex-cadre post pay level and applicable pay structure.
- Get the fixation method and option deadline in writing.
- Confirm how increments and later pay changes will be regulated.
- Check pay protection or parent-cadre upgrades where relevant.
5. Deputation (Duty) Allowance — estimate
The commonly cited 7th CPC framework under DoPT OM No. 2/11/2017-Estt.(Pay-II), dated 24 November 2017, provides a percentage-based allowance with monthly ceilings. Use this estimate only after confirming eligibility and later/special instructions.
5% of ₹50,000, subject to applicable ceiling and eligibility.
Reference rates used
| Situation | Rate | Monthly ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| Same station | 5% of Basic Pay | ₹4,500 |
| Change of station | 10% of Basic Pay | ₹9,000 |
This estimator applies only the percentage and ceiling shown. It does not determine eligibility, “same station”, exclusions, parent-cadre upgrades or special schemes.
6. Service conditions during deputation
Parent cadre and lien
Whether lien is retained and on what conditions depends on applicable service rules and appointment terms. Deputation does not guarantee a particular post on return.
Leave and pension/NPS
Confirm leave sanctioning authority, leave-account maintenance and responsibility for pension/NPS contributions during foreign service, where applicable.
APAR and vigilance
Confirm reporting/reviewing arrangements for APARs, vigilance clearance, conduct rules and the process for reporting disciplinary matters.
Joining time and travel
Do not assume joining-time, travel or transfer benefits. Check the applicable rules and whether the order authorises the claim.
Parent-cadre promotion
Eligibility and consequences of a parent-cadre promotion during deputation depend on the relevant rules and orders. Seek written advice from the cadre authority.
Absorption
Permanent absorption is distinct from deputation and requires a lawful process, eligibility, consent and approvals. It is not automatic at tenure end.
7. Extension, early repatriation and return
Before tenure ends
- Track the approved end date.
- Submit extension proposals early.
- Secure all approvals in writing before expiry.
- If no extension is approved, coordinate handover and return.
If early repatriation is proposed
- Read the deputation order and premature-repatriation terms.
- Ask both authorities for the formal order and effective date.
- Complete handover and obtain relieving/joining reports.
- Reconcile pay and leave records.
8. Deputation preparation checklist
Tick items before joining. Progress is calculated locally in your browser.
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9. Frequently asked questions
Is deputation the same as transfer?
Not necessarily. Deputation is generally a temporary appointment to an ex-cadre post or another organisation under specific terms and approvals. A transfer may be governed by a different set of service/transfer rules.
Can every deputation be extended up to seven years?
No. Do not generalise an extension ceiling across all posts. Delegation and maximum-tenure rules have exclusions and amendments. Confirm the governing OM, category and competent authority.
Does every deputationist receive DDA?
No. DDA is subject to applicable rules, eligibility conditions, category of deputation and exclusions or special instructions. The calculator is not an eligibility decision.
Does deputation guarantee promotion or absorption?
No. Promotion/selection is governed by the relevant Recruitment Rules. Absorption is separate and requires the applicable process and approvals.
What if an article conflicts with my deputation order?
Check the DoPT OM and amendments, Recruitment Rules and formal order issued by the competent authority. Seek written clarification where documents appear inconsistent.
10. Official sources and important orders
Start with the consolidated document, then check amendments applying to your category and the date of your order.
- Consolidated deputation/foreign service terms and conditions (updated 8 September 2022) — scope, general framework and exclusions.
- DoPT Circulars — consolidated deputation documents and amendment list — verify current circulars and OMs.
- DoPT OM index for deputation amendments and DDA instructions — includes entries for pay fixation, DDA and amendments.
- DoPT OM dated 15 March 2024 — Group A officers deputed to State Governments/UTs — category-specific modification.
- DoPT OM dated 6 February 2026 — review of Group A/B ex-cadre deputation cases to State Governments/UTs for six months or more — secondary-hosted copy; cross-check through the DoPT circular index.
- DoPT Annual Report 2021–22 — background on pay fixation, eligibility and DDA clarification.
- DoPT Annual Report 2024–25 — background on Central Staffing Scheme and senior appointments, governed by separate instructions.