Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Establishes New Recruitment Rules for Junior Secretariat Assistant Post

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Junior Secretariat Assistant (Group 'C' Post) Recruitment Rules, 2025, a new set of delegated legislation, were formally issued by the President and came into force on July 28, 2025, the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. These rules specifically regulate the method of recruitment for the post of Junior Secretariat Assistant within the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. The notification, identified as G.S.R. 507(E), was dated July 25, 2025, and published as an extraordinary part of the Gazette of India.

The issuance of these rules superseded specific provisions of the Department of Parliamentary Affairs (Recruitment and Condition of Service) Rules, 1963, particularly those relating to the post of Lower Division Clerk (LDC). This supersession became necessary following the re-designation of the LDC post as Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA) through an official order dated June 14, 2016. The new rules specify that there are seven Junior Secretariat Assistant posts, subject to variation based on workload, classified under the General Central Service, Group 'C', Non-Gazetted, Ministerial category. These posts are placed at Level-2 in the pay matrix, with a salary range of Rs. 19,900 to Rs. 63,200. The rules clarify that these are non-selection posts and do not specify an age limit or educational qualifications for direct recruits, as the primary method of recruitment is not direct.

The method of recruitment for the Junior Secretariat Assistant post is primarily by promotion, failing which, by deputation. For promotion, Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) in Level-1 of the pay matrix, possessing three years of regular service in the grade, a 12th class pass or equivalent from a recognized Board, and successful completion of two to four weeks of relevant training, are eligible. The rules also include provisions for considering seniors for promotion alongside juniors who have completed their qualifying service, provided certain conditions are met, and mandate computer application training for promotees. For deputation, officials from Central Government, State Governments, or Union Territory Administrations holding an analogous post on a regular basis, or with three years of service in Level-1, are eligible, provided they possess a 12th class pass and experience in clerical work and computer operations. The maximum age limit for appointment by deputation is set at fifty-six years, and the deputation period ordinarily shall not exceed three years.

Further provisions within the rules address disqualifications for appointment, stating that individuals who have entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having a living spouse, or who, having a living spouse, have entered into or contracted a marriage with any person, shall not be eligible. However, the Central Government retains the power to exempt individuals from this rule under specific circumstances. The rules also grant the Central Government the power to relax any of their provisions for any class or category of persons, with reasons to be recorded in writing. A saving clause ensures that existing reservations, age-limit relaxations, and other concessions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, ex-Servicemen, and other special categories remain unaffected.

The legislative intent behind these rules was to formalize and update the recruitment framework for the Junior Secretariat Assistant post, which had undergone a re-designation without a corresponding update in the recruitment regulations. The earlier legal position, governed by the 1963 rules, no longer adequately addressed the specific requirements for the re-designated post, creating a statutory gap. The legislation provided: “In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution and in supersession of the Department of Parliamentary Affairs (Recruitment and Condition of Service) Rules, 1963, in so far as they relate to the post of Lower Division Clerk, which was re-designated as Junior Secretariat Assistant vide order number 3/5/2016-Admn., dated 14th June, 2016, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the President hereby makes the following rules regulating the method of recruitment to the post of Junior Secretariat Assistant in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs…” This clearly outlines the policy rationale to ensure a clear and legally sound process for filling these crucial administrative positions.

The rules establish a Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for considering promotions, comprising a Chairperson (Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director (Admn.), or Deputy Secretary (Admn.) from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs), an Under Secretary (Admn.) from the Ministry as a Member, and a nominee from another Ministry or Department of the rank of Under Secretary or above, belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, as another Member. This mechanism ensures a structured and fair process for internal advancements. The new rules introduce clear obligations for eligible candidates and the Ministry regarding qualifications, service periods, and the composition of the selection body, thereby enhancing transparency and efficiency in the recruitment process for this Group 'C' ministerial post.

Keywords: Recruitment Rules, Junior Secretariat Assistant, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Group C Post, Government Service, Promotion, Deputation, Central Government Geo Tags: India, Delhi District: Not Applicable