Punjab government reinstates ACP for medical officers with modifications

CHANDIGARH: Succumbing to pressure from the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), the Punjab government has reinstated the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme, albeit with certain modifications.

The Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme, which was suspended in 2021 by the previous Congress government, is now reintroduced with changes and is renamed the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) scheme for medical officers of the health department.

Under the earlier scheme, medical officers were entitled to three-grade pay revisions — the first after four years, the second after nine years, and the third after 14 years of service. However, the new scheme revises the timelines for pay upgrades: the first after five years, the second after 10 years, and the third after 15 years of service. The scheme applies to officers appointed before July 17, 2020, who are receiving pay scales under the Punjab Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2021. The modified ACP scheme will take effect on January 1, 2025.

For medical officers recruited on or after July 17, 2020, whose pay scales follow the Seventh Central Pay Commission or Sixth Punjab Pay Commission, a separate scheme will be formulated due to differences in pay matrices and levels.