MHA to confer honorary rank - one rank higher - to Paramilitary, Assam Rifles personnel on day of retirement

New Delhi: Paramilitary and Assam Rifles personnel will be conferred an honorary rank -- one rank higher -- on personnel below officer rank on the day of their retirement but without any financial or pension benefits, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Thursday.

The decision, the MHA said in a statement, is aimed at boosting self-respect, pride and morale of personnel retiring from the rank of Constable to Sub-Inspector. 

Under this scheme, it said personnel below officer rank in paramilitary forces and Assam Rifles who retire after long and commendable service will be granted an honorary rank one level higher on their last day of service, without any financial or pension benefits.

To be eligible for this, the personnel must meet all promotion criteria at the time of retirement and must have a good and clean service record. Such personnel also should get at least 'good' in the Annual Performance Appraisal Report for the last 5 years.

They should also not have got any major punishment in the last five years and their integrity must be beyond doubt. For giving the honorary rank, approval from the departmental inquiry and vigilance is mandatory.

"The honorary rank shall be granted based on the recommendation of the concerned commanding officer...will only be granted where the rank to be conferred exists within the category to which the personnel belong. Granting the honorary rank shall not affect the personnel’s inter-se seniority," the statement said.