Rule 4 of the Haryana Civil Services (General) Rules 2016 defines the main administrative and service-related terms used throughout the rules. Understanding these definitions is essential for every Haryana Government employee, as they determine eligibility, authority, and service rights under various provisions.
1️⃣ Appointing Authority
- The officer or authority empowered to make appointments to a post or service under the Haryana Government.
- Simple meaning: The competent official who issues the appointment order (e.g., Head of Department, Administrative Secretary).
2️⃣ Cadre
- The permanent strength of a service or group of posts, sanctioned as a separate unit.
- Simple meaning: The group of permanent posts that form one organized service—for example, the Clerk Cadre or Engineering Cadre.
3️⃣ Duty
- Service rendered while actually performing the duties of a post or any other service specially assigned by the Government.
- Simple meaning: Time spent officially working for the Government—counted for pay, leave, and pension.
4️⃣ Foreign Service
- Service in which a Haryana Government employee is placed at the disposal of another Government, company, or organization not under Haryana’s control.
- Simple meaning: Temporary posting in an outside organization while retaining lien in the parent department.
5️⃣ Government Servant
- Any person holding a civil post under the Government of Haryana, whether permanent, temporary, or officiating.
- Simple meaning: Every Haryana employee working in a government department, office, or local body under State control.
6️⃣ Lien
- The title of a Government employee to hold substantively a permanent post, including the right to return to that post after temporary transfer or deputation.
- Simple meaning: Legal right to your original permanent post even while serving elsewhere.
7️⃣ Officiate / Officiating
- When a Government servant performs duties of a post temporarily while the regular incumbent is absent or the post is vacant.
- Simple meaning: Acting or temporary charge of a higher or another post.
8️⃣ Pay
- The amount drawn monthly by a Government employee as basic pay of the post held, including special pay or personal pay as defined in rules.
- Simple meaning: The employee’s basic salary plus officially sanctioned additions.
9️⃣ Permanent Post
- A post sanctioned without any time limit as part of a regular service cadre.
- Simple meaning: A regular, non-temporary government job position.
🔟 Probationer
- An employee appointed on trial against a permanent vacancy to assess their suitability for confirmation in service.
- Simple meaning: A newly appointed employee serving a trial period before becoming permanent.
1️⃣1️⃣ Temporary Post
- A post created for a limited time or specific work and not included in the permanent cadre.
- Simple meaning: A short-term position sanctioned for limited duration or project.
1️⃣2️⃣ Transfer
- Movement of an employee from one post or station to another, either within the same department or to a different department, without break in service.
- Simple meaning: Official relocation from one office or place to another.
1️⃣3️⃣ Leave Salary
- The amount payable to an employee while on leave, in accordance with leave rules.
- Simple meaning: Salary received during approved leave period.
1️⃣4️⃣ Prescribed
- Means prescribed by rules, orders, or instructions issued by the Government under the Haryana Civil Services Rules.
- Simple meaning: Officially approved or notified by the Government.
1️⃣5️⃣ Probation / Confirmation Period
- The period during which an employee’s work and conduct are observed before confirming appointment.
- Simple meaning: Trial phase before permanent posting in service.
1️⃣6️⃣ Service Book
- An official record maintained for every Government servant containing details of appointments, pay, leave, and verification of service.
- Simple meaning: The personal record file of each employee maintained by the department.
1️⃣7️⃣ Subsistence Allowance
- Monthly payment made to a Government employee during suspension as per Rule 42.
- Simple meaning: Half-pay (revised up to 75 % or down to 25 %) paid while under suspension.
✅ Summary Table – Key Terms at a Glance
| Term | Official Meaning (Rule 4) | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Appointing Authority | Officer empowered to appoint | Who issues appointment order |
| Cadre | Permanent strength of service | Group of sanctioned posts |
| Lien | Right to hold permanent post | Right to return to your original job |
| Officiate | Acting for another post temporarily | Working in place of regular holder |
| Foreign Service | Service outside Haryana Govt control | Posting in another organization |
| Probationer | On trial before confirmation | Employee under test period |
FAQs – Haryana Civil Services Rule 4 Definitions
1. What is the meaning of “Cadre” under HCS Rules 2016?
It means the permanent strength of a service or group of posts forming one organized unit.
2. Who is the “Appointing Authority” in Haryana Government service?
The officer or department legally empowered to make the appointment and issue orders under Rule 4.
3. What is the difference between “Lien” and “Officiating”?
“Lien” is a permanent right to your original post; “Officiating” is a temporary charge of another post.
4. Does a “Temporary Post” count for pension?
Only if it is later made permanent or counted as qualifying service under pension rules.
5. What is a “Service Book” and who maintains it?
It is the employee’s official service record maintained by the Head of Office under Rules 21–24.
Conclusion
Rule 4 of the Haryana Civil Services (General) Rules 2016 provides standardized meanings for key terms used throughout the service regulations. Understanding these definitions helps every Haryana Government employee correctly interpret rules on appointment, leave, pay, suspension, lien, and retirement.
Source: Official Haryana Civil Services (General) Rules 2016 PDF – Finance Department, Government of Haryana.