OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Candidates recommended by the UPSC/SSC for
appointment to Central Civil Services and the post- delay in
joining revival of offer of appointment after their
cancellation - determination of seniority.
.......
The undersigned is directed to say that according to DP & T O.M.No.9/23/71-Estt.(D) dated 6.6.78 (copy enclosed) an offer of appointment issued by different Ministries/Departments, should clearly indicate that the offer would lapse if the candidate did not join within the specified period which shall not exceed two or three months. If, however, within the period stipulated, a request is received from candidates for extension of time, it may be considered by the Ministries/Departments and if they are satisfied, an extension for a limited period may be granted but the total period granted including the extension during which the offer of appointment will be kept open, should not exceed a period of nine months.
2. The Staff Side of the Departmental Council (JCM) of DOP&T have demanded that direct recruits may be allowed a maximum of three months for joining instead of nine months provided for in the O.M. under reference so as to avoid delay in preparation and issue of select/seniority list. The matter has been examined in consultation with the UPSC and it has been decided to reduce from nine months to six months the maximum time upto which an offer of appointment can be kept to open. In other words, an offer of appointment should clearly specify the period (which shall not normally exceed one or two months) after which the offer would lapse automatically if the candidate did not join within the specified period. If however, within the specified period, a request is received from the candidate for extension of time, it may be considered by the Ministries/Departments but extension beyond three months should not be granted liberally and it may be granted only as an exception where facts and circumstances so warrant and in any case only upto a maximum of six months from the date of issue of the original offer of a appointment. An offer of appointment would lapse automatically after the expiry of six months from the date of issue of the original offer of appointment.
3. Subject to the above modifications the he other provisions contained in the OM dated 6.6.78 should be followed scrupulously."