Punjab Govt reverts Woman PCS officer to parent cadre; Here’s Why
Amrit Pal Singh
Chandigarh, June 3, 2026: The Punjab Government’s Department of Personnel (PCS Branch) has issued orders reverting Punjab Civil Services (Executive Branch) officer Promila Sharma to her parent department after she failed to clear the mandatory departmental examinations within the prescribed attempts, including two additional compassionate chances.
The order, approved by Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, brings closure to a prolonged probation review process under the service rules governing PCS probationers.
Promila Sharma was appointed to the Punjab Civil Services (Executive Branch) under Register-A8 on February 9, 2021, and joined the same day. As per her appointment conditions, she was required to successfully clear all mandatory departmental examinations within two years or four attempts, failing which her appointment could be terminated or reverted as per service rules.
Under Rule 4(4) of the Civil Services (Departmental Examination) Rules, 2014, probationers are typically granted four attempts to qualify these examinations within the probation period.
Multiple Attempts and Extended Opportunities
Official records indicate that Smt. Sharma appeared for the examinations on four scheduled occasions between August 2021 and May 2023. Despite participating in all required training and assessment cycles, she did not secure qualifying marks.
Considering her circumstances, the authorities granted two additional mercy attempts beyond the prescribed limit:
- First additional attempt: December 2023
- Final additional attempt: July 2024
However, she was unable to clear the examinations in either of these extended opportunities.
Following the completion of all permissible attempts, the competent authority invoked Rule 7(2) of the Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994. Since Smt. Sharma was appointed from an existing departmental cadre, the rules provide for reversion to the parent post instead of outright termination.
Accordingly, she has been reverted to her original position as Private Secretary in the Department of General Administration.
The order was formally issued on May 29, 2026, and endorsed on June 1, 2026 (Memo No. PERS-PCSOPROB/2/2019-5PCS/E-9706/1261-1268).