In accordance with the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission accepted by the Government of India, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued comprehensive guidelines governing the grant of Training Allowance to faculty members and instructional staff in Central Government training academies.
Statutory Rates & Academy Classifications
Under DoPT OM No. 13024/1/2016-Trg.Ref. dated 24th October 2017, Training Allowance is granted on the following bifurcated framework:
| Training Establishment Category | Target Beneficiary Cadre | Admissible Rate (% of Basic Pay) |
|---|---|---|
| National / Central Training Academies | Group A Officers joining on deputation | 24% of Basic Pay per month |
| Other Training Establishments | Eligible instructional / faculty staff | 12% of Basic Pay per month |
| Direct Recruits of Training Academies | Staff permanently recruited by the academy | Ineligible (0%) — Barred by DoPT OM |
Eligibility Conditions & Crucial Exclusions
Before drawing Training Allowance, the administrative ministry and the officer must adhere to strict service criteria:
- Deputation Requirement: Training Allowance is strictly intended to attract exceptional talent from active field cadres into instructional positions. Consequently, it is admissible only to personnel appointed to the training establishment on deputation or transfer.
- Exclusion of Direct Recruits: The 2017 DoPT order explicitly stipulates: "Training Allowance will not be admissible to the employees who are directly recruited by the training academies or establishments to impart training."
- Election between Training & Deputation Allowance: An officer joining an academy on deputation has the statutory option to draw either Training Allowance or Deputation (Duty) Allowance under normal transfer rules. Concurrent drawing of both allowances is strictly prohibited.
- Dearness Allowance Treatment: Training allowance does not attract Dearness Allowance (DA); it is calculated purely as a percentage multiplier on basic pay.
Two Worked Examples
Example 1: IAS Officer Posted to LBSNAA as Faculty
A Director-level Group A officer in Pay Level 13 (Basic Pay ₹1,23,100) is deputed to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie as a faculty member.
- Establishment: National Training Academy → Rate = 24% of Basic Pay.
- Monthly Training Allowance: ₹1,23,100 × 0.24 = ₹29,544 per month.
- Annual Financial Benefit: ₹29,544 × 12 = ₹3,54,528 per year.
Example 2: Section Officer Deputed to Regional Training Institute
A Section Officer in Pay Level 8 (Basic Pay ₹47,600) is deputed to a designated regional departmental training center for a period of 6 months.
- Establishment: Other Training Establishment → Rate = 12% of Basic Pay.
- Monthly Training Allowance: ₹47,600 × 0.12 = ₹5,712 per month.
- 6-Month Cumulative Benefit: ₹5,712 × 6 = ₹34,272.
Recognized National Academies vs Regional Institutes
The higher 24% rate under 7th CPC guidelines is strictly restricted to apex National Training Academies catering to All India Services and Central Group A Services. Prominent institutions recognized under this tier include:
- Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie: Apex academy for Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Foundation Courses.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad: Premier institution for Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers and in-service leadership.
- Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun: National academy for Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers.
- National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), Nagpur: Central academy for Indian Revenue Service (IRS - Income Tax) officers.
- National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), Faridabad: Premier academy for IRS (Customs & Indirect Taxes).
- National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR), Vadodara: Apex academy for railway managerial cadres.
- Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM), New Delhi: Primary nodal institute for Central Secretariat Service (CSS) and general administrative training.
Faculty members deputed to all other recognized regional training institutes (such as Zonal Railway Training Institutes, Regional Training Centers of Postal and Telecom, or departmental staff colleges) draw the standard 12% allowance rate.
Tenure Ceilings & Administrative Protocols
Under DoPT guidelines, the grant of Training Allowance is admissible for the sanctioned duration of the deputation tenure (typically up to 5 years, extendable to 7 years with DoPT / ACC approval). Upon repatriation to parent field cadres, the allowance ceases immediately from the afternoon of relieving.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the 7th CPC rates for Training Allowance in Central Government?
Under DoPT OM No. 13024/1/2016-Trg.Ref. dated 24th October 2017: (1) 24% of basic pay for eligible Group A officers in National/Central Training Academies; (2) 12% of basic pay for eligible personnel in other qualifying training establishments.
2. Are direct recruits appointed by training academies eligible for training allowance?
No. The official DoPT order explicitly excludes employees directly recruited by training establishments to impart training. The allowance is strictly admissible to officers joining the training establishment on deputation from other cadres.
3. Does Training Allowance attract Dearness Allowance (DA)?
No. Under standard Ministry of Finance allowance rules, percentage-based allowances calculated on basic pay (like training allowance and deputation allowance) do not attract Dearness Allowance.
4. Can an officer draw both Deputation Allowance and Training Allowance?
No. Under DoPT guidelines, an officer joining a training establishment on deputation must elect either Deputation (Duty) Allowance OR Training Allowance. Concurrent drawing of both allowances is strictly barred.
5. Is there a ceiling or cap on Training Allowance?
Unlike Deputation Allowance which carries statutory monetary monthly ceilings, 7th CPC Training Allowance is calculated directly as a pure percentage (24% or 12%) of the officer's eligible basic pay without a separate fixed rupee ceiling.
Official References & DoPT Notifications
- DoPT Office Memorandum No. 13024/1/2016-Trg.Ref. (24 October 2017): Implementation of Government decision on 7th CPC recommendations on Training Allowance.
- Ministry of Finance Resolution No. 11-1/2016-IC (6 July 2017): Official decision on allowances concerning training institutes and academies.
- DoPT Consolidated Deputation Guidelines (OM No. 6/8/2009-Estt.Pay-II): Rules governing option election between deputation pay and special allowances.