**Detailed Guide for Promotion Authorities on The Karnataka Government Servants’ Seniority Rules, 1957 – Rules, Procedures, and Practical Examples**

Got it! The promotion authorities are responsible for maintaining and implementing seniority rules fairly. Here’s a detailed, structured explanation of the Karnataka Government Servants’ Seniority Rules, 1957 with a focus on how promotion authorities should handle seniority and promotions.

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The Karnataka Government Servants’ Seniority Rules, 1957 – Detailed Guide for Promotion Authorities with Practical Examples

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1. Importance of Seniority in Promotion 

• Seniority directly affects promotions, career growth, and postings.
• Promotion authorities must ensure fairness in promotions.
• Merit vs. Seniority in Promotions:
• If promotion is based only on seniority, the longest-serving employee in a grade gets promoted.
• If promotion is based on seniority-cum-merit, promotion depends on both experience and performance.
• Seniority must be fixed based on rules, not on individual discretion.

📌 Example 1:

• Two officers joined on the same date.
• One has better performance records.
• If the promotion is seniority-based, the one who joined earlier is promoted first.
• If promotion is seniority-cum-merit, the better performer is promoted first.

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2. How Promotion Authorities Should Fix Seniority

• Seniority = Length of service in a particular grade or cadre.
• Regular vs. Temporary Appointments:
• Permanent (confirmed) employees must be ranked higher than temporary ones.
• Rules for same-date appointments:
• The older candidate gets higher seniority.
• If age is the same, ranking in the merit list should be considered.
• If both are equal, the order of selection or promotion should be used.

📌 Example 2:

• Officer A and Officer B are appointed on the same date.
• Officer A is older than Officer B → Officer A is senior.
• If both are of the same age, the one ranked higher in the merit list is senior.

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3.Seniority for Direct Recruits

• Based on the merit list prepared by Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
• If a selected candidate joins late, seniority is counted from the actual date of joining.
• If a selected candidate fails to report within the given time, they lose seniority.

📌 Example 3:

• Officer X was selected in 2021 but joined service in 2023.
• Officer Y was selected in 2022 but joined in 2022.
• Even though X was selected first, Y is senior because Y joined earlier.

🔹 Promotion Authority Action: Ensure that the date of actual joining is considered while preparing seniority lists for promotion.

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4. Seniority for Promotees

• Promotion-based seniority is counted from the date of actual promotion.
• If a senior officer’s promotion is delayed due to an inquiry or pending case, they retain their original seniority.
• Irregular promotions (those given against rules) do not count.

📌 Example 4:

• Officer A was eligible for promotion in 2020, but due to an inquiry, they were promoted in 2023.
• Officer B was promoted in 2021 before A.
• After clearing the inquiry, A is still considered senior to B, as per the original eligibility.

🔹 Promotion Authority Action: When preparing seniority lists for promotions, ensure that delayed promotions due to non-fault reasons do not cause loss of seniority.

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5. Seniority Between Direct Recruits & Promotees

• Quota System: If a department has 50% promotion quota and 50% direct recruitment quota, both groups must be placed alternately in the seniority list.
• If more promotions are given than allowed, adjustments must be made later.

📌 Example 5:

• The rule says 1 direct recruit should be followed by 1 promotee.
• Instead, 4 promotees were appointed before any direct recruit.
• The next 4 vacancies must go to direct recruits to balance the seniority list.

🔹 Promotion Authority Action: Ensure that the quota system is strictly followed while preparing seniority lists.

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6. Confirmation & Seniority

• Confirmation gives permanent status in a post.
• Earlier confirmation = Higher seniority.
• If departmental exams are required, those who clear first get confirmed first.

📌 Example 6:

• Officer A and B were appointed together in 2020.
• A passed the departmental exam in 2021, but B passed in 2023.
• A gets confirmed first and is senior to B, even though both joined in 2020.

🔹 Promotion Authority Action: While preparing promotion lists, consider only confirmed employees first, before considering temporary or unconfirmed employees.

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7. Seniority & Transfers

• Public interest transfers retain previous seniority.
• Personal request transfers → Employee gets new seniority in the new department.
• If a department is merged, employees retain seniority as per their old service.

📌 Example 7:

• Officer X was working in Department A and was transferred to Department B due to a departmental merger.
• X retains their seniority from Department A.
• But if X voluntarily requested transfer, they would be junior in Department B.

🔹 Promotion Authority Action: Maintain separate seniority lists for voluntary and government-ordered transfers.

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8. Seniority in Selection-Based Promotions

• If an officer is selected for promotion based on merit, they remain senior even if their juniors are promoted later.
• Once selected, seniority cannot be changed.

📌 Example 8:

• Officer A was selected for promotion in 2021.
• Officer B was promoted in 2023.
• A remains senior to B, even if B is performing better later.

🔹 Promotion Authority Action: Ensure that selection-based seniority is not changed arbitrarily.

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9. Rules on Retrospective Seniority

• Retrospective promotions are only allowed if vacancies were available in the past.
• If a senior was wrongly ignored earlier, they get backdated promotion.
• Seniority cannot be changed indefinitely.

📌 Example 9:

• Officer A should have been promoted in 2018 but was overlooked.
• In 2022, A files an appeal and gets retrospective promotion from 2018.
• However, if there were no vacancies in 2018, A cannot get retrospective promotion.

🔹 Promotion Authority Action: Allow retrospective promotions only if actual vacancies existed at that time.

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10. Seniority List & Disputes

• Seniority lists must be published annually, and employees should be given a chance to object.
• Once finalized, the list cannot be changed without notice.

📌 Example 10:

• Officer X finds that their seniority is wrongly listed.
• They file an appeal.
• The promotion authority must listen to their objection before finalizing the list.

🔹 Promotion Authority Action: Publish seniority lists with a grievance redressal mechanism.

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Conclusion

• Promotion authorities play a critical role in maintaining fair seniority lists.
• Following these rules ensures transparency, fairness, and accountability.
• Strict implementation prevents favoritism and legal disputes.

📌 Final Example: If promotion authorities follow these rules strictly, employees will get fair promotions without disputes. 🚀