Kerala Updates Relief Employment Scheme: Dependents Must Be Over 13

Curated By :

Last Updated:March 27, 2025, 17:05 IST

The Kerala government revised the Relief Employment Scheme for dependents of deceased state employees. Dependents must be at least 13 years old. Certain exclusions apply

The scheme is designed to provide jobs to the dependents of employees who die while in state service. (Representative/PTI File)

In a recent cabinet meeting, the Kerala government has decided to revise the conditions for appointing dependents under the Relief Employment Scheme. The scheme is designed to provide jobs to the dependents of employees who die while in state service.

It stated that dependents must be at least 13 years old on the date of the employee’s death. Eligible dependents include the widow or widower, son, daughter, adopted son, and adopted daughter. For unmarried employees, the father, mother, unmarried sister, and brother are eligible in order of priority.

Dependents of employees who die while employed by the State are eligible for employment under the scheme. Appointment will be made regardless of the circumstances of the employee’s death. Dependents of employees who are receiving invalidity pensions are not eligible for appointment under this scheme.
Dependents of employees granted service extensions or reappointments are ineligible for appointment if the employee dies during that extended period. Dependents of teachers in government educational institutions, including college principals, are eligible for appointment. However, this benefit does not extend to employees in aided institutions. Dependents of employees who have taken voluntary retirement are also ineligible.
Dependents must be aged 13 years or older on the date of the employee’s death.
The son or daughter who was married at the time of the employee’s death should submit a certificate from the Tehsildar stating that they were dependents of the deceased officer after marriage. Dependents other than the widow or widower should also submit a consent letter from the widow or widower along with the application. In case of dispute between the dependents, the person proposed by the widow or widower will be given the dependent appointment. The widow or widower does not require the consent of other dependents.
In the event of the death of a divorced government employee while in service, their children become eligible for dependent appointment, subject to fulfilling other conditions. The order of priority for such an appointment is as follows: son, daughter, adopted son, and adopted daughter. Following the children, the employee’s parents (father/mother) and unmarried siblings (sister/brother) are also considered, adhering to the specified order of priority. However, these individuals must provide a certificate from the Tehsildar confirming their dependency on the deceased employee.
Individuals currently employed in regular positions within Central or State Government Departments, associated institutions, Public Sector Undertakings, or banks (including Cooperative Banks) are not eligible to apply for appointments under this scheme.
In cases of legal separation from a first spouse and subsequent remarriage, children from the first marriage remain eligible.
Vacancies for dependent appointments are allocated based on the consolidated seniority list prepared by the General Administration (Services-D) Department. The General Administration (Services-D) Department updates this seniority list upon receiving applications from various departments.
The eligibility criteria and available vacancies for each post will be published in the consolidated software.
A separate seniority list will be prepared for each post. If an applicant has opted for more than one post, they will be included in the seniority lists of all the posts opted for. However, once an applicant is appointed from one seniority list, their name will be removed from any other seniority lists where they are included. Additionally, the annual family income of the deceased employee should not exceed Rs. 8 lakhs.
Dependent appointment is used for Class III and Class IV posts in the Subordinate Service where direct appointment is the mode of appointment. It is also used for posts in the Last Grade Service and Part-Time Contingent Services. A specified number of vacancies in Class III, Class IV, Technical Section, and Entry Cadre posts (including Uniform posts) across all departments are set aside for dependent appointment where direct appointment is the usual mode. If a post can be filled by more than one mode of appointment, the vacancies for dependent appointment are taken from the vacancies set aside for direct appointment. The posts reserved for dependent appointment are published on the website of the Public Administration (Services-D) Department.
One in every 16 vacancies, specifically in Class III and Class IV posts at the Headquarters and otherwise filled through direct recruitment by the Kerala Public Service Commission, shall be designated for dependent appointment.
The age limit for direct appointment to a post is the same as that for dependent appointment. Applications must be submitted within three years of the employee’s death if the applicant is 18 years of age or older. If the applicant is younger than 18 years of age, they must submit their application within three years of turning 18.
The upper age limit does not apply to the appointment of widows/widowers, fathers/mothers of deceased unmarried government employees, or to part-time contingent posts and full-time contingent posts in the Municipal Contingent Service. These applicants will be appointed up to the age of retirement.