The Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2016 form the foundation for regulating all matters related to pension, gratuity, and family pension for government employees of Haryana. These rules consolidate and update the earlier pension provisions of the Punjab Civil Services Rules (as applicable to Haryana) and align them with the 7th Central Pay Commission structure. They ensure that every government servant retiring from service receives fair post-retirement benefits, while also maintaining transparency and accountability in pension administration.
1️⃣ Objective of the Pension Rules
- To prescribe the conditions under which pension, gratuity, and family pension are granted to government employees.
- To ensure financial security after retirement for employees and their dependents.
- To establish a uniform framework for calculating, sanctioning, and disbursing pensions.
- To define government powers to withhold, revise, or recover pension where necessary (e.g., disciplinary or judicial action).
2️⃣ Rule Authority and Applicability
- The rules were framed by the Governor of Haryana in exercise of powers under Article 309 of the Constitution of India.
- They are titled as the “Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2016.”
- They came into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette of Haryana.
- They apply to:
- All Haryana Government employees appointed to civil services and posts in connection with the affairs of the State,
- Employees serving under Government departments, offices, and organizations directly under the State Government.
- They do not apply to:
- Employees governed by separate pension schemes (e.g., contributory pension or NPS),
- Persons employed on contract, work-charged or daily-wage basis, unless specifically covered,
- Members of All India Services serving in Haryana (who are covered under Central Pension Rules).
3️⃣ Structure of the Haryana Pension Rules 2016
The Pension Rules are divided into **11 Chapters** containing detailed provisions as shown below:
| Chapter | Subject | Main Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| I | Preliminary | Short title, extent, commencement, and application. |
| II | Definitions | Meaning of terms like pension, gratuity, emoluments, family, etc. |
| III | General Provisions | When pension is earned, withheld, or forfeited. |
| IV | Service Qualifying for Pension | What service counts toward qualifying years. |
| V | Kinds of Pension | Superannuation, Voluntary, Invalid, Compassionate Pension. |
| VI | Amount of Pension | Calculation of pension based on emoluments and qualifying service. |
| VII | Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) | Rules for payment of gratuity to employee or family. |
| VIII | Family Pension | Eligibility, rates, and duration for family members. |
| IX | Procedure | Steps for pension sanction, verification, and documentation. |
| X | Payment of Pension | Disbursement through treasury and banks, revision and restoration. |
| XI | Commutation of Pension | Rules for converting a portion of pension into a lump-sum payment. |
4️⃣ Key Features of Haryana Pension Rules 2016
- Uniform Application: Applicable to all Haryana government departments and autonomous offices under its administrative control.
- Transparency: Mandates annual verification of service and preparation of pension papers 12 months before retirement.
- Service Book Integration: Pension entitlement is based on verified service book entries and pay records.
- Time-bound Processing: Pension and gratuity must be sanctioned before the date of retirement to avoid delays.
- Clear Pension Categories: Rules separately define superannuation, voluntary, compulsory, invalid, and compassionate pensions.
- Protection of Family Benefits: Family Pension Rules ensure dependents are protected in case of the employee’s death.
5️⃣ Employee Benefits under the Pension Rules
- Pension: Monthly lifetime payment to retired government employees for their qualifying service.
- Gratuity: One-time lump sum paid on retirement or death, based on length of service and last pay drawn.
- Family Pension: Continuous payment to widow, widower, or eligible dependents after employee’s death.
- Commutation: Option to receive a portion of pension in advance as lump-sum commuted value.
- Protection of Pension: Pension cannot be withheld or reduced except as per disciplinary or judicial proceedings under Rule 9.
6️⃣ Rule Enforcement & Administrative Responsibility
- The Finance Department, Government of Haryana is the controlling authority for implementation and interpretation of Pension Rules.
- Head of Office is responsible for:
- Maintaining the service book and pension records,
- Ensuring no delay in forwarding pension papers,
- Verification of qualifying service and pay.
- Accountant General (A&E), Haryana authorizes final pension payment orders (PPOs).
✅ Quick Summary – Key Points at a Glance
| Subject | Provision |
|---|---|
| Rule Title | Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2016 |
| Authority | Governor of Haryana under Article 309 |
| Effective Date | From the date of publication in the Official Gazette |
| Coverage | All Haryana Government employees under regular civil service |
| Main Benefits | Pension, Gratuity, Family Pension, Commutation |
| Supervising Department | Finance Department, Govt. of Haryana |
FAQs – Haryana Pension Rules 2016
1. Who is eligible under Haryana Civil Services Pension Rules 2016?
All regular Haryana Government employees appointed to civil posts under the State Government are covered by these rules.
2. What is the minimum qualifying service for pension?
Generally, 10 years of qualifying service is required for entitlement to pension, as per later chapters of the rules.
3. Are employees under NPS covered by these rules?
No. Employees appointed on or after 1 January 2006 are covered under the National Pension System (NPS) and not under these rules.
4. Who sanctions pension for state employees?
The Head of Office initiates the proposal, and the Accountant General (A&E), Haryana issues the final Pension Payment Order (PPO).
5. Can pension be withdrawn or reduced?
Yes, under Rule 9, if an employee is found guilty in disciplinary or judicial proceedings, pension may be withheld or reduced by the Government.
6. Which department interprets and updates these rules?
The Finance Department, Government of Haryana is the competent authority for interpretation, amendment, and relaxation of Pension Rules.
Conclusion
The Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2016 provide a comprehensive and modernized framework for post-retirement benefits of state government employees. These rules ensure transparency, financial protection, and timely disbursement of benefits to both retired personnel and their families. Every government employee should familiarize themselves with these provisions to safeguard their retirement rights and benefits.
Source: Official Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2016 – Finance Department, Government of Haryana.