By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 16: Years of uncertainty over ad hoc appointments has now ended with the Meghalaya government deciding to fill more than 1,500 sanctioned posts through fresh recruitment, while denying regularisation to those appointed after 2007, and instead offering them a one-time age relaxation to help them compete again for the same posts.
This puts a question mark on the job security of these ad hoc employees, appointed after December 31, 2007, who have worked for years hoping for regularisation.
The state government has released an Office Memorandum (OM) along with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) confirming that the services of these ad hoc employees will not be regularised.
The state government has issued an OM along with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for filling sanctioned posts currently occupied by ad hoc appointees appointed after December 31, 2007.
To soften the blow, the government will give these ad hoc employees a one-time “Age Condonation Certificate” so that they can sit for the recruitment exams even if they are now over the official age limit.
The Cabinet, in its meeting held on August 26, 2025, discussed the issue of a large number of sanctioned posts in government departments being occupied by ad hoc appointees appointed after the cut-off date of December 31, 2007, and approved the proposal to conduct fresh recruitment to these posts through the competent recruitment agencies.
Govt’s bid to fix recruitment mess
Ad hoc appointments have been a chronic problem in Meghalaya’s bureaucracy — this move by the state government signals a serious clean-up drive.
It can be called the government’s effort to restore merit-based recruitment and stop “backdoor appointments.”
Based on preliminary information compiled by the Personnel & AR (B) department from various departments, about 1,514 ad hoc employees appointed after December 31, 2007, are presently occupying sanctioned posts.
According to the OM, this figure is indicative and subject to verification by the respective administrative departments. The government suspects that the actual number may be higher, that will be revealed once a comprehensive, department-wise verification is completed.
“Successive government instructions since 1978 have prohibited ad hoc appointments of outsiders who were not recruited through the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC), District Selection Committees (DSCs), or other duly constituted recruitment boards or committees. Despite these instructions, ad hoc appointments continued in several departments, leading to long-term occupation of sanctioned posts in violation of recruitment rules and the State Reservation Policy,” the OM stated.
The Cabinet had earlier approved regularisation only for ad hoc employees appointed on or before December 31, 2007, subject to strict conditions. Appointees made after the cut-off date are not eligible for regularisation.
Age relaxation certificate — a crucial lifeline
This certificate is a temporary concession allowing long-serving ad hoc employees to still compete despite being overage. But it’s valid for only one year, and non-renewable. This means that if recruitment delays occur, many could still miss out.
The OM outlines the procedure to identify sanctioned posts occupied by ad hoc appointees appointed after December 31, 2007, conduct recruitment for such posts through the MPSC, DSCs, or other recruitment boards and committees, provide Age Condonation Certificates for overage ad hoc employees, and ensure that all such recruitments are completed within one year in a transparent and time-bound manner.
To ensure that incumbent ad hoc employees are not unfairly excluded from participation merely on the grounds of age, a one-time relaxation of the upper age limit will be implemented through the issue of an Age Condonation Certificate, valid for one year, the OM stated.
“The certificate will be granted to all ad hoc employees appointed after December 31, 2007, against sanctioned posts who have crossed the prescribed upper age limit for entry into government service. The Personnel & A.R. (B) Department shall issue the certificates based on verified lists submitted by administrative departments, and each certificate will be valid for one year from the date of issue,” it stated.
The holders of these certificates can then apply for all recruitments advertised by the MPSC, DSCs, recruitment boards, and departmental selection committees during the validity period.
“Recruitment agencies shall accept the certificate as proof of age relaxation, provided the candidate meets other eligibility conditions. The concession is a one-time, non-precedential measure. Certificates are non-transferable and will automatically lapse upon expiry of the validity period, and no revalidation or re-issue will be permitted,” the OM stated.
Political, emotional angle
Lastly, thousands of families depend on these ad hoc jobs. This move by the state government could spark protests or political pressure as it raises major concerns about job loss, morale, and fairness in government employment.
Opposition parties, pressure groups and associations are likely to raise questions of fairness and humanitarian consideration.
SOP for recruitment and identification of vacancies
With regard to the SOP for recruitment and identification of vacancies, all departments and offices are obliged to prepare and forward verified lists of all sanctioned posts occupied by post-2007 ad hoc appointees within 30 days of the issuance of the OM.
Roster clearance must be obtained from the Personnel & A.R. (B) Department before sending requisitions to the recruiting agency.
Recruitment agencies have been directed to advertise the vacancies within 45 days of receiving the requisition, complete the written or screening test within 120 days of advertisement, conduct interviews, where applicable, within 180 days, and declare the final results within 270 days.
“All recruitment processes must be completed within one year from the commencement date, defined as the date of issue of the advertisement. Extensions will be allowed only in exceptional circumstances such as court orders or force majeure and will require prior government approval,” the SOP stated.
