Question : PROMOTION PROSPECTS FOR PBOR

(a) whether the Government has restricted promotion opportunities for the Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) in the armed forces;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the present system of promotion for them;

(c) the total number of PBOR including Jawans who were promoted to senior officers’ posts in the three services of armed forces during the last three years;

(d) whether the Government proposes to review the promotion policy for PBOR to ensure greater opportunities for them; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)

(a) to (e): A statement is attached.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4916 FOR ANSWER ON 26.4.2010

(a) & (b): No, Madam. Government has not restricted the promotion opportunities for the Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) in the Armed Forces. The Government has, in fact, improved the career prospects by approving grant of three Assured Career Progression (ACP) to PBOR at 8, 16 and 24 years of service as against three Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPs) for the Central Government Civilian Employees at 10, 20 and 30 years of regular service. At the time of each financial upgradation under ACP, the PBOR would get an additional increment and next higher Grade Pay in hierarchy.

Army:- PBORs (including Jawans) are eligible for grant of commissioning into Officers Cadres through various In-Service entries i.e. Army Cadet College (ACC) / Special Commissioned Officers (SCO) / Permanent Commission (Special List) [PC(SL)].

Navy:- Adequate promotional avenues exist through time based, roster based and selective promotions for sailors. Promotion upto the rank of Leading Seaman/equivalent for non- Artificers and upto the rank of Artificer 3rd class for artificers are time based. Roster based and selective promotions are for higher ranks against the available/anticipated vacancies. Promotion avenues also exist for sailors to be promoted to officer rank through the Commission Worthy Scheme and the Special Duty List Scheme.

Air Force:- A PBOR during his service career can be promoted up to the rank of Master Warrant Officer (MWO) subject to fulfilling eligibility criteria and availability of vacancies.

(c) Number of PBORs including Jawans promoted to Senior Officers post in the three services of the Armed Forces during the last three years is as under:

Year	Army#	Air Force	Navy	Commission	Special Duty	Worthy Scheme	List Scheme
2007	159	94	54	82
2008	139	64	54	82
2009	205	59	54	82