The Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) is a one-time lump-sum payment made by the Government of Haryana to a government employee or their family as a reward for long and faithful service. Under Rules 48 to 53 of the Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2016, gratuity becomes payable upon retirement, death, or in certain other cases. It is in addition to pension and is calculated based on the last pay drawn and length of qualifying service.
1️⃣ Rule 48 – When Gratuity Becomes Payable
Gratuity is payable under the following circumstances:
- ✅ On retirement after completing at least 5 years of qualifying service.
- ✅ On death while in service (no minimum service required).
- ✅ On voluntary retirement after 20 years of qualifying service.
- ✅ On invalid retirement due to medical incapacity.
- ✅ On compulsory retirement (except as a penalty involving forfeiture).
Important: If the employee dies in service, the DCRG is automatically payable to the nominated family members, irrespective of service length.
2️⃣ Rule 49 – Conditions for Eligibility
- The employee must have rendered continuous and qualifying service under the Government of Haryana.
- All periods of duty, leave with pay, and extraordinary leave (if allowed for pension) are counted towards qualifying service.
- Service forfeited due to dismissal, removal, or resignation (not for taking another govt post) does not count.
- Suspension periods count only if treated as duty for all purposes.
3️⃣ Rule 50 – Calculation of Gratuity
Formula for Calculation:
Gratuity = (1/4) × Last Emoluments × Completed Six-Monthly Periods of Qualifying Service
OR
In simple words:
Gratuity = (Basic Pay × Qualifying Service in Years × 1/2)
Key Points:
- Emoluments mean Basic Pay plus Dearness Allowance (DA) as per Rule 43.
- Each completed 6-month period is treated as half a year for calculation.
- Maximum limit of gratuity is as notified by the Government (₹20 lakh under 7th CPC, subject to revision).
- Fraction of a year equal to or more than 3 months is treated as a full half-year.
Example:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Last Basic Pay + DA | ₹60,000 + ₹12,000 = ₹72,000 |
| Qualifying Service | 28 years and 4 months → 28.5 years |
| Gratuity | ₹72,000 × 28.5 × 1/2 = ₹10,26,000 |
Final DCRG Payable: ₹10,26,000 (subject to maximum limit).
4️⃣ Rule 51 – Death Gratuity (When Employee Dies in Service)
Gratuity is paid to the family of the deceased employee as per completed service:
| Length of Qualifying Service | Amount of Death Gratuity |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 2 times of emoluments |
| 1 year or more but less than 5 years | 6 times of emoluments |
| 5 years or more but less than 11 years | 12 times of emoluments |
| 11 years or more but less than 20 years | 20 times of emoluments |
| 20 years or more | Half of emoluments for every completed 6-monthly period of service, subject to maximum of 33 times of emoluments (or ₹20 lakh, whichever is less) |
Note: "Emoluments" include Basic Pay + DA as admissible on the date of death.
5️⃣ Rule 52 – Nomination for Gratuity
Important Provisions:
- Every employee must make a nomination for gratuity in Form 1 at the time of joining service.
- Nomination can include:
- One or more family members, or
- Any other person, if the employee has no family at the time of nomination.
- Nomination can be revised at any time by submitting a fresh Form 1 to the Head of Office.
- In case of multiple nominees, the employee must indicate the share payable to each.
Note: If the employee fails to make a nomination, the gratuity is paid to the legal heirs under succession law.
6️⃣ Rule 53 – Forfeiture and Recovery of Gratuity
- Gratuity may be withheld, in whole or in part, by the Government under the following circumstances:
- Dismissal or removal from service for misconduct or moral turpitude (Rule 9).
- Pending or ongoing judicial or departmental proceedings at the time of retirement.
- Recovery of government dues such as loans, advances, or damages caused by negligence.
- However, forfeiture cannot be ordered without giving the employee or nominee a reasonable opportunity to explain.
- Once cleared, the withheld gratuity must be released immediately.
✅ DCRG Calculation Summary (Rules 48–53)
| Rule | Provision | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | When payable | On retirement, death, voluntary/invalid retirement. |
| 49 | Eligibility | Minimum 5 years of qualifying service (except death case). |
| 50 | Calculation | (1/4) × Last Emoluments × Completed 6-monthly service periods. |
| 51 | Death Gratuity | 2 to 33 times of emoluments based on service length. |
| 52 | Nomination | Form 1 nomination mandatory for gratuity payment. |
| 53 | Forfeiture | Possible in cases of dismissal, penalty, or government dues. |
📄 Documents Required for DCRG Sanction
- ✅ Form 1 – Nomination for DCRG
- ✅ Verified Service Book and Leave Account
- ✅ Last Pay Certificate (LPC)
- ✅ Vigilance and No Demand Certificate (NDC)
- ✅ Death Certificate (if applicable)
- ✅ Bank details and identification of nominee(s)
- ✅ Pension Sanction Order or PPO reference (for retirees)
FAQs – Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG)
1. What is the minimum qualifying service for gratuity?
5 years of qualifying service for retirement cases; no minimum for death cases.
2. What is the maximum limit of gratuity in Haryana?
₹20 lakh (as per Haryana Government notification, subject to revision with Pay Commission updates).
3. Is DA included in gratuity calculation?
Yes. Emoluments for gratuity include Basic Pay plus Dearness Allowance as on retirement/death date.
4. Who receives gratuity if there is no nomination?
Legal heirs as per succession law or family pension nomination records.
5. Can gratuity be withheld or forfeited?
Yes, in cases of dismissal, removal, or pending departmental/judicial proceedings (Rule 53).
6. What if the employee dies before completing 5 years of service?
The family is still entitled to Death Gratuity under Rule 51.
7. How is gratuity paid?
Through Treasury or authorised bank after sanction by the Head of Office and approval by Accountant General (A&E), Haryana.
Conclusion
The Death-Cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) under Rules 48–53 of the Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2016 provides crucial financial relief to employees or their families upon retirement or death. It reflects the State’s recognition of long service and dedication. Employees should ensure their service books, pay records, and nominations are up to date to guarantee timely and accurate payment of gratuity at retirement.
Source: Official Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2016 – Finance Department, Government of Haryana.