On 15 October 2026, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, notified the Central Government General Pool Residential Accommodation (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The Amendment Rules revises provisions of the Central Government General Pool Residential Accommodation Rules, 2017, concerning acceptance of accommodation, cancellation of allotment, possession deadlines and licence-fee liability.The GPRA (Amendment) Rules, 2026 came into force on 15 October 2026.
Key Changes introduced through the GPRA (Amendment) Rules, 2026:
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Under the amendment to Rule 15(1), the period for accepting an offer of government residential accommodation has been extended from five days to eight days from the date of allotment. If the allottee fails to accept within eight days, a reminder is to be issued, allowing a further two days for acceptance.
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Rule 15(1) establishes a clear procedure for reminding allottees and sets an overall ten-day period for accepting the allotment.
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Rule 17(1) has been substituted to expressly provide for cancellation of allotment and a three-month debarment if the allottee fails to accept the allotment within ten days or fails to take possession within five working days of receiving the authorisation letter.
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Payment of one month’s normal licence fee is also prescribed. The amendment emphasises timely acceptance and occupation of government accommodation.
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The word “eight” with “ten” has been substituted by the amended Rule 18(a), in relation to the period concerning intervening gazetted holidays. This aligns the provision with the revised ten-day acceptance period.
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Rule 44(6), which deals with offers for a change of accommodation, has been amended by extending the acceptance period from eight days to ten days. Consequently, an allottee receiving an offer for a change of residence gets two additional days to accept it. This provides greater flexibility to employees who need time to consider the offer or complete the necessary formalities.
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Where an allotment of accommodation or alternative accommodation has been accepted, liability for licence fees commences on the 61st day from the date of allotment or from the date of physical occupation, whichever is earlier.
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Rule 73(1) establishes the relevant date for calculating licence-fee liability under the amended provision.
Overall, the Central Government General Pool Residential Accommodation (Amendment) Rules, 2026 seek to streamline the allotment process by specifying acceptance deadlines, introducing a reminder mechanism, prescribing consequences for failure to accept or occupy accommodation, extending the acceptance period for changes of residence and clarifying the commencement of licence-fee liability.
Also Read: Amendments to Central Government General Pool Residential Accommodation Rules, 2017
[Central Government General Pool Residential Accommodation (Amendment) Rules, 2026, dated 15-10-2026]
