Jal Shakti ministry issues draft guidelines for groundwater scientist recruitment

The draft rules covering posts from Scientist B to G have been published for public consultation, and stakeholders are to submit their feedback by July 13.

The draft notification aligns the rules with the Revised Flexible Complementing Scheme introduced by the Department of Personnel and Training in 2024.

Promotions will be granted only after scientists complete minimum residency periods -- three years at Scientist C level, and up to five years at senior grades like Scientist F and G.

Additionally, field experience of two years is required for promotion to Scientist F and five years for Scientist G.

A key feature of the revised framework is the two-tier assessment system.

Scientists will undergo Level-1 screening by an Internal Screening Committee, followed by Level-2 assessment by either an Assessment Board or a Department Peer Review Committee.

These evaluations will be held twice a year, in January and July.

Scientists who do not qualify can be reassessed only after one year and must submit an additional Annual Performance Appraisal Report.

Training is also a significant component of the new rules. Direct recruits must undergo a mandatory one-year Induction Level Training Course, while officers promoted internally are required to complete two weeks of training in management and leadership at recognised government institutions such as the Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Training and Research Institute or Institute of Secretariat Training and Management.

The draft specifies that promotions under the Revised Flexible Complementing Scheme will be allowed only three times. If a candidate does not qualify within those attempts, they will be moved to the Modified Assured Career Progression scheme applicable to other Central government employees. Moreover, no retrospective promotions will be allowed.

The proposed guidelines also fix the total number of scientific posts by discipline at 294 in Hydrogeology, 31 in Geophysics, 32 in Chemistry, eight in Hydrology, and nine in Hydrometeorology.

Direct recruitment to these posts will be conducted via the UPSC's Combined Geo-Scientist Examination, and all appointments will be subject to transfer and service across India or abroad.