Automatic Advancement Scheme (AAS) – Complete Guide (Andhra Pradesh Government Employees)
Introduction
The Automatic Advancement Scheme (AAS) was introduced by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to provide financial progression to State Government and Local Body employees who remain in the same post for long periods due to non-availability of promotional vacancies (stagnation).
Instead of waiting indefinitely for regular promotions, eligible employees receive higher pay scales automatically after completing specified years of service in the same category.
Origin and Evolution
Original Introduction:
G.O.Ms.No.117, Finance & Planning (FW.PRC.I) Dept., dated 25.05.1981
Introduced Special Grade and Special Promotion Post scales to address stagnation.
Periodicity Changes Over Time:
- Initially: 10 / 15 years
- Later revised to: 8 / 16 / 24 years
- GO.Ms.No.96, dated 20.05.2011: Introduced modified periodicity 6 / 12 / 18 / 24 years
- RPS 2022 (GO.Ms.No.1 dated 17.01.2022): Added a 30-year slab
Current AAS Milestones (As per RPS 2022)
6 Years
12 Years
18 Years
24 Years
30 Years
6 / 12 / 18 / 24 / 30 years
Structure of AAS and Benefits
If an employee does not receive a regular promotion, financial advancement is granted at the following service milestones:
| Stage | Eligibility | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Special Grade Post Scale – 6 Years | Completion of 6 years in the same post | Placement in the next higher pay scale above the existing post scale |
| 2. Special Promotion Post Scale – SPP–I(A) – 12 Years | Completion of 12 years in the same post | Placement in the first promotion post scale |
| 3. Special Promotion Post Scale – SPP–I(B) – 18 Years | Completion of 18 years in the same post | One additional increment in the SPP–I(A) scale |
| 4. Special Promotion Post Scale – SPP–II(A) – 24 Years | Completion of 24 years in the same post | Placement in the second promotion post scale |
| 5. Special Promotion Post Scale – SPP–II(B) – 30 Years (RPS 2022 New Slab) | Completion of 30 years in the same post | One additional increment in SPP–II(A) scale |
Note: Employees who receive SPP–II(A) are not eligible for further AAS benefits after obtaining regular promotions.
SPP vs SAPP
- SPP: Special Promotion Post – for posts having promotion channels
- SAPP: Special Adhoc Promotion Post – for posts without promotion avenues
Pay Fixation Rules
Pay fixation under AAS is governed by Fundamental Rules:
| Stage | Rule Applied |
|---|---|
| Special Grade / SPP–IA / SPP–IIA | FR 22(a)(i) read with FR 31(2) |
| SPP–IB / SPP–IIB | One Increment in same scale |
| Promotion after SG / SPP–I(A) / SPP–I(B) | FR 22-B |
| Promotion after SPP–II(A) | FR 22(a)(i) read with FR 31(2) |
Eligibility Conditions
To avail AAS benefits, employees must satisfy the following:
- Completion of required continuous service in the same category
- Possession of prescribed educational & departmental test qualifications for next promotion post
- No disciplinary proceedings / punishments pending
- Must not have relinquished a regular promotion voluntarily
RPS 2022 Pay Scale Examples
Secondary Grade Teacher (SGT)
| Stage | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Ordinary Scale | ₹32,670 – 1,01,970 |
| Special Grade (6Y) | ₹34,580 – 1,07,290 |
| SPP–IA (12Y) | ₹44,570 – 1,27,480 |
| SPP–IB (18Y) | ₹44,570 – 1,27,480 + 1 Increment |
| SPP–IIA (24Y) | ₹54,060 – 1,40,540 |
| SPP–IIB (30Y) | ₹54,060 – 1,40,540 + 1 Increment |
School Assistant
| Stage | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Ordinary Scale | ₹44,570 – 1,27,480 |
| Special Grade (6Y) | ₹45,830 – 1,30,580 |
| SPP–IA (12Y) | ₹54,060 – 1,40,540 |
| SPP–IIA (24Y) | ₹61,960 – 1,51,370 |
Application / Sanction Procedure
- Prepare a Service Statement showing completion of required years.
- Attach:
- 1.First page of Service Register
- 2.Promotion orders (if any)
- 3.Departmental test certificates
- DDO verifies eligibility and issues AAS Proceedings
- Entry recorded in Service Register
- Pay Fixation Bill submitted to Treasury / PAO
Complete List of Government Orders
A. Foundational Orders (Origin of AAS)
| GO No. | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| GO.Ms.No.117 | 25.05.1981 | Original creation of Special Grade (10 years) and Special Promotion Post (15 years) |
| GO.Ms.No.266 | 25.05.1981 | Adhoc Special Promotion after completion of 15 years |
| GO.Ms.No.39 | 18.02.1982 | Clarifications on 10 / 15 year AAS scheme |
| GO.Ms.No.91 | 1983 | Creation of 10-year Special Grade Posts |
| GO.Ms.No.58 | 1983 | Creation of Special Promotion Posts |
| GO.Ms.No.4 | 1983 | Implementation support orders |
| GO.Ms.No.297 | 25.10.1983 | Anomaly – Junior promoted later drawing more pay than senior |
| GO.Ms.No.238 | 25.06.1985 | Amendment to GO 117 – Special Grade / Promotion posts |
| GO.Ms.No.290 | 1987 | Fixation of pay for employees placed under AAS |
| GO.Ms.No.184 | 1987 | Further fixation clarifications |
| GO.Ms.No.2 | 01.04.1988 | PRC 1986 – AAS Scales |
| GO.Ms.No.314 | 13.12.1988 | Abolition of intermediary posts |
| GO.Ms.No.347 | 13.11.1989 | AAS under PRC 1986 Scales |
B. PRC 1993 & Early Clarification Orders
| GO No. | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| GO.Ms.No.348 | 01.10.1993 | Extension of PRC 1993 to Non-Teaching University staff |
| GO.Ms.No.358 | 25.10.1993 | Amendment to FR 22-B regarding promotion after AAS |
| GO.Ms.No.362 | 28.10.1994 | AAS in Revised Pay Scales 1993 |
| GO.Ms.No.366 | 11.11.1994 | Modified AAS under PRC 1993 (implemented from 01.07.1992) |
| GO.Ms.No.84 | 1994 | Rectification – Junior drawing more pay than Senior |
| GO.Ms.No.75 | 1994 | Rectification – Pay anomaly orders |
| GO.Ms.No.136 | 22.05.1995 | AAS in PRC 1993 – Clarifications |
| GO.Ms.No.223 | 10.09.1996 | Rectification of Junior drawing more pay than Senior |
| GO.Ms.No.127 | 14.08.1997 | AAS to TGTs / School Assistants / LPTs |
| GO.Ms.No.140 | 16.09.1997 | Amendment to Creation of Special Grades |
| GO.Ms.No.141 | 16.09.1997 | AAS under PRC 1986 |
| GO.Ms.No.143 | 16.09.1997 | Special Grade to Teachers (10/15 years) |
| GO.Ms.No.173 | 07.10.1997 | Stagnation increments beyond time scale reckoning |
| GO.Ms.No.199 | 21.04.1998 | Service of Special Teachers / Language Pandits for AAS |
| GO.Ms.No.475 | 02.11.1998 | Rectification of pay anomaly (Junior > Senior) |
| GO.Ms.No.150 | 01.09.1999 | AAS under RPS 1999 |
| GO.Ms.No.92 | 08.08.2000 | Counting service of Special Language Teachers / PETs |
C. PRC 2005 / 2010 Revision Orders
| GO No. | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| GO.Ms.No.241 | 28.09.2005 | AAS Scheme under PRC 2005 |
| GO.Ms.No.201 | 10.07.2006 | Amendments to AAS in PRC 2005 |
| GO.Ms.No.1 | 03.01.2006 | Pay fixation to higher post after AAS |
| GO.Ms.No.68 | 12.06.2015 | AAS under PRC 2015 |
| GO.Ms.No.93 | 03.04.2010 | AAS under PRC 2010 (8/16/24 years) |
D. Modified AAS (6/12/18/24 Scheme)
| Order No. | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| GO.Ms.No.96 | 20.05.2011 | Major reform – Introduction of 6/12/18/24 years scheme |
| Memo No.20091 | 17.08.2011 | Clarifications on new AAS |
| Memo No.23400 | 09.09.2011 | Additional clarifications on modified AAS |
E. PRC 2015 Continuation
| GO No. | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| GO.Ms.No.68 | 12.06.2015 | AAS implementation under PRC 2015 |
F. PRC 2022 – Latest Orders
| GO No. | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| GO.Ms.No.1 | 17.01.2022 | PRC 2022 – Introduction of 6/12/18/24/30 year slabs (SPP-IIB added) |
G. Important Pay Fixation & Stepping-Up Memos
| Memo No. | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Memo.5476 | 12.02.2007 | Stepping up of Senior pay on par with Junior |
| Memo.7275 | 24.06.1998 | Rejection of 24 years counted as 8 years in new post |
| Memo.37806/A1/399/PC.II | 16.09.1997 | Instructions to Appointing Authorities |
| Memo.41082/574/A1/PC.II/95 | 30.12.1996 | Increment stoppage counting for AAS |
| Memo.34945/789/PC.II/A1/94 | 05.01.1995 | Junior drawing more pay than senior clarification |
| Memo.00769/76/PC | 07.02.1994 | Pay Fixation under RPS 1993 |
| Memo.3307-B/43/PC-II/93 | 24.02.1993 | Relinquishment of promotion after AAS |
H. Special Clarification & Circular Orders
| Circular / Memo | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Cir. Memo 038035 | 19.09.2009 | Guidelines on service reckoning |
| Memo 020091 | 17.08.2011 | Implementation guidelines of modified AAS |
I. Summary of Scheme Evolution
| Period | Order | Slabs Introduced |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | GO.Ms.No.117 | 10 / 15 Years |
| 2010 | GO.Ms.No.93 | 8 / 16 / 24 Years |
| 2011 | GO.Ms.No.96 | 6 / 12 / 18 / 24 Years |
| 2022 | GO.Ms.No.1 | 6 / 12 / 18 / 24 / 30 Years |
| Description of the Order and Number | Download |
|---|---|
| Memo.5476 (12.2.2007) Stepping Up of Pay of Senior on par with Junior | View / Download |
| GO.201 (10.7.2006) AAS Scheme in Revised Pay Scales in PRC 2005 Amendments | View / Download |
| GO.1 (3.1.2006) Pay Fixation to Higher Post after getting AAS | View / Download |
| GO.241 (28.9.2005) AAS Scheme in Revised Pay Scales in PRC 2005 | View / Download |
| GO.92 (8.8.2000) Counting the Service of Spl Lang Teachers, Spl PETs for AAS | View / Download |
| GO.150 (1.9.1999) AAS Scheme in Pay Scales in PRC 1999 | View / Download |
| GO.475 (2.11.1998) Anomaly on Juniors Drawing Pay than Seniors - Rectification Orders | View / Download |
| Memo.7275 (24.6.1998) Example of 24 Years Completed rejected for 8 Years in New Post | View / Download |
| GO.199 (21.4.1998) Service of Spl Teachers, Spl Lang Pandits for Pensionary Benefits & AAS | View / Download |
| GO.173 (7.10.1997) Stagnation Increments beyond the Time Scale of Pay - Reckoning for AAS | View / Download |
| Memo.37806/A1/399/PC.II (16.9.1997) Stepping Up of Pay - Instructions to Appointing Authorities | View / Download |
| GO.143 (16.9.1997) Creation of Special Grade to Teachers 10/15 Years | View / Download |
| GO.141 (16.9.1997) AAS in Pay Scales of PRC 1986 | View / Download |
| GO.140 (16.9.1997) Creation of Spl Grades to Employees completed 10/15 Years of Service - Amendment | View / Download |
| GO.127 (14.8.1997) AAS to Trained Graduate Teachers, School Assts, LPTs in RPS 1986 - Date of Effect | View / Download |
| Memo.41082/574/A1/PC.II/95 (30.12.1996) Period of Stoppage of Increments without cumulative effect counts for AAS | View / Download |
| GO.223 (10.9.1996) Anomaly Junior Drawing Pay more than His Senior Rectification | View / Download |
| GO.136 (22.5.1995) AAS in Revised Pay Scales 1993 Clarification Orders | View / Download |
| Memo.34945/789/PC.II/A1/94 (5.1.1995) AAS Junior Drawing More Scale and Pay than His Senior promoted earlier - Clarifications | View / Download |
| GO.366 (11.11.1994) AAS Revised Pay Scales 1993 - Modified Scheme - Implementation from 1-7-1992 | View / Download |
| GO.362 (28.10.1994) AAS - Revised Pay Scales 1993 | View / Download |
| GO.84 (2.3.1994) Anomaly of Junior Drawing more pay than Senior promoted earlier Rectification of anomaly | View / Download |
| GO.75 (22.2.1994) Anomaly of Junior drawing more pay than senior promoted earlier - Rectification of anomaly | View / Download |
| Memo.00769/76/PC (7.2.1994) Revised Pay Scales, 1993-AAS Fixation of Pay in respect of employees | View / Download |
| GO.358 (25.10.1993) Fixation of pay on promotion to higher post after getting the benefits under AAS-Amendment to FR. 22B | View / Download |
| GO.348 (1.10.1993) PRC 1993-Extension to the Non-Teaching staff of Universities | View / Download |
| GO.290 (22.7.1993) | Link Unavailable |
| Memo.3307-B/43/PC-II/93 (24.2.1993) AAS Relinquishment of promotion after deriving the benefit under the scheme | View / Download |
| Memo.17187/590/A1/PRC.I/91 (3.9.1991) Payment of Adhoc Amount of Rs. 500 to those who are drawing pay in the scale above Rs. 1330-2630 in AAS | View / Download |
| Memo.130-C/582/PRC.III/91 (2.4.1991) Creation of Special Grade/SPP/SAPP for employees who have completed 10/15 years of service | View / Download |
| GO.347 (13.11.1989) AAS 1986 PRC Scales | View / Download |
| GO.314 (13.12.1988) Abolition of intermediary posts Orders | View / Download |
| Memo.007/375/PRCI/88 (26.10.1988) PRC 1986 Certain Clarifications | View / Download |
| Memo.017-E/307/A2/PRC.I/SS (29.4.1988) Appointment to Second level Automatic Advancement Post - Clarification | View / Download |
| GO.2 (1.4.1988) PRC 1986 Pay Revision Commission AAS Scales 1986 | View / Download |
| GO.290 (24.10.1987) PRC 1986 Fixation of pay of certain categories of employees already placed in AAS before 1st July, 1986 | View / Download |
| GO.184 (22.7.1987) Fixation of pay of certain categories of employees already placed in AAS before 1st July, 1986 | View / Download |
| Memo.11720-B/616/PC/86-1 (20.9.1986) Creation of Special Grade and Special Promotion Post for 10/15 Years Completed employees | View / Download |
| GO.238 (25.6.1985) Creation of Special Grade and Special Promotion Post Amendment to GO.117 | View / Download |
| Memo.958-H1/84-3 (25.6.1984) Regrouped scales of pay Automatic Advancement scheme of 10/15 years Amendment | View / Download |
| Memo.1251-BA1&TRCJ83 (6.2.1984) Clarifications on Creation of 15 Years Special Promotion Post 15 Years | View / Download |
| Memo.No.36525-A/462/PRC1/83-1 (12.1.1984) Creation of Spl Grade/Spl Promotion Posts 10/15 Years Clarifications | View / Download |
| GO.297 (25.10.1983) Creation of 10/15 Years AAS Scales Anomaly Junior Promoted Later, drawing More Pay than Senior | View / Download |
| GO.190 (10.6.1983) RPS 1969 Selection Grade to those who were not considered for appointment due to their promotions/officiation in higher posts in the regular line | View / Download |
| GO.91 (10.3.1983) Creation of 10/15 Years AAS Scale Posts | View / Download |
| GO.58 (26.2.1983) Creation of 10/15 Years AAS Scale Posts Seniors Pay Protection | View / Download |
| Memo.6884-A/54/PRC.I/83-1 (23.2.1983) Creation of special promotion posts for the employees who have completed 15 years of service | View / Download |
| GO.4 (7.1.1983) Creation of 10/15 Years AAS Scale Posts | View / Download |
| Memo.26378-C/660/PRC.I/82 (24.6.1982) Clarifications on 10/15 Years AAS Scale Posts | View / Download |
| GO.39 (18.2.1982) Clarifications on 10/15 Years AAS Scale Posts | View / Download |
| Memo.41086-202/PRC.I/81-1 (31.12.1981) Clarifications on 10/15 Years AAS Scale Posts | View / Download |
| GO.266 (25.5.1981) Adhoc special Promotion on Completion of 15 years of service Adhoc Rule Issued | View / Download |
| GO.117 (25.5.1981) Creation of Special Grades to employees who have completed 10 years of service and Special Temporary Promotion Posts/Special Adhoc Promotion posts for the employees who have completed 15 years of service | View / Download |
| GO.146 (22.6.1981) Selection Grade Scales introduced in the Revised pay Scale of 1969 - Fixation of pay on appointment to the Selection Grade Posts | View / Download |
Conclusion
The Automatic Advancement Scheme is a vital financial safeguard ensuring that employees who face stagnation are not deprived of career-linked pay growth. With the introduction of the 30-year slab under RPS 2022, the scheme now offers complete financial progression throughout an employee's service span.
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