DoPT tightens transfer policy: minimum two-year tenure before any mid-term posting

The Department of Personnel and Training has issued a consolidated Office Memorandum on transfer and posting norms, prescribing a minimum tenure of two years at a station before an employee can be moved in the ordinary course.

Every ministry and department is now required to publish an annual transfer calendar before 31 January and to complete the general transfer exercise between April and June, so that the schooling of children is not disrupted.

Out-of-turn or mid-term transfers will require the written approval of an officer at least one level above the competent authority, along with reasons recorded in the file. Requests on medical, disability or spouse-posting grounds retain their existing priority.

The OM also directs that employees with a disability, single women employees and those within two years of superannuation be given preference in choice of station wherever administratively feasible.