Probation Period

A probation period is the opening phase of an employment relationship during which the employer evaluates whether a new hire is suited to the role before confirming them permanently. It gives both sides a defined window to test the fit: the employer assesses performance and conduct, and the employee learns whether the role and organisation meet their expectations. Terms such as notice and certain benefits are often lighter during probation than after confirmation.

The practical effect of probation is a lower bar and shorter timeline for parting ways. Notice periods during probation are typically brief — sometimes just a week or two — and some benefits or protections may only take full effect on confirmation. At the end of probation the employer either confirms the employee, extends probation where permitted, or ends the engagement. Confirmation is not always automatic; in many organisations it requires a formal review and letter.

In India, probation periods commonly run three to six months and are set out in the offer letter and employment terms, which specify the notice applicable during probation and the process for confirmation. During this phase, the notice a confirmed employee would later have to serve — often 30 to 90 days — is usually much shorter, which is why candidates joining from a probationary role can sometimes move faster. Statutory benefits such as Provident Fund generally still apply from the start of employment, not only after confirmation.