Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, May 19: The Karnataka government has issued fresh guidelines for the general transfers of government employees for the 2025–26 period. Transfers for group A, B, C, and D employees will take place from May 15 to June 14, and the number of transfers in each group shall not exceed 6% of the working staff strength of that category.

As per the order, department ministers will oversee transfer approvals for group A and B officers, while appointing authorities will handle group C and D staff. In all transfer cases, mandatory posting is required without leaving any employee waiting for reassignment.

Employees with serious allegations against them or those under departmental/criminal investigation must not be posted to roles that could influence the inquiry. Instead, they should be posted to non-executive roles for administrative convenience. Furthermore, such employees must not be posted to positions of their preference.

Minimum service period norms

Government employees are generally not eligible for transfer unless they have completed a minimum period at their current posting:

• Group A and B: Minimum of 2 years
• Group C: Minimum of 4 years
• Group D: Minimum of 7 years

Administrative departments, with the chief minister's prior approval, can revise the minimum service period for specific sensitive posts as necessary.

Proposals for transferring group A and B officers must be routed through the administrative departments to the concerned minister. Also, staff posted in Hyderabad-Karnataka region offices must not be transferred outside the region for at least 10 years from their appointment date, as per the rules for local and residual staff.

Exceptions for transfer rules

Certain exceptions have been listed where minimum service duration can be relaxed:

• If a government employee eligible for transfer is due to retire within two years.
• If the employee possesses special technical qualifications or experience, and no suitable substitute is available for the post.
• If the employee is involved in the implementation of central or flagship government schemes that are at a critical stage and require their continued involvement.
• If both spouses are government employees and one gets transferred, the other may be posted to the same or nearby location, even without completing the minimum service period, subject to vacancy.
• If the employee is an elected office-bearer of the Karnataka Government Employees' Association, they cannot be transferred during their tenure. If elections are not held within 3 months post-tenure, they may be transferred. If re-elected, they may be retained for the second term.
• If the government employee or their spouse/children suffer from serious or life-threatening illness, and medical treatment is available in the current posting location, supported by a certificate from the medical board.
• If the government employee is a widow, unmarried woman, or a divorced unmarried woman, she may be transferred to a post of her choice or a nearby location, subject to vacancy.

These guidelines aim to bring transparency, fairness, and administrative efficiency to the transfer process across various departments.