Updated: 13 Aug 2025
Leave Policy 2025 — Complete Guide (Eligibility, Rules & How to Apply)
Everything you need to know about Casual, Maternity, Earned, Half-Pay, Abortion, Adoption, Paternity and Child Care Leave.
At-a-glance Summary
| Leave Type | Entitlement | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Casual Leave |
Female: 20 days/year Male: 10 (≤10 yrs), 15 (10–20 yrs), 20 (≥20 yrs) |
Differs by gender and completed service years. |
| Maternity Leave | 180 days with pay | As per policy. |
| Earned Leave |
Teaching: 8 days/year Non-teaching: Earned at 1/24 (first 10 yrs), 1/18 (next 10 yrs), 1/12 (thereafter) |
Accumulates; no encashment. |
| Half-Pay Leave (HPL) | 20 days/year | Can be commuted on medical grounds (max 240 days debited as double). |
| Abortion Leave | 6 weeks | Per Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (Sec 9). |
| Adoption Leave | 12 weeks | Per 2017 Amendment (Sec 3(B)(a)). |
| Paternity Leave | Up to 15 days | Available within 15 days before/after delivery; paid as per last drawn pay. |
| Child Care Leave (CCL) | Up to 1 year (365 days) in service | For two eldest surviving children (<18 yrs); min 15-day spell; up to 3 spells/year; paid. |
Casual Leave
- Female employees: 20 days per year.
- Male employees: 10 days/year (≤10 years service); 15 days/year (10–20 years); 20 days/year (≥20 years service).
Note: Entitlement varies by completed years of service.
Maternity Leave
180 days with pay.
Earned Leave (EL)
- Teaching staff: 8 days/year.
- Non-teaching staff: Earned at the rate of 1/24 of duty days during first 10 years, 1/18 during the next 10 years, and 1/12 thereafter.
- Accumulation: Allowed. No encashment.
Half-Pay Leave (HPL)
- 20 days/year (extended from 15).
- Commutation on medical grounds: Up to 240 days during entire service; when commuted, double HPL is debited.
- Accumulation: Allowed. No encashment.
Abortion Leave
6 weeks as per Section 9 of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
Adoption Leave
12 weeks as per Section 3(B)(a) of the 2017 Amendment.
Paternity Leave
- Entitlement: Up to 15 days (after commuting 30 days of Half-Pay Leave).
- Timing: Admissible up to 15 days before or up to 15 days after the date of delivery.
- Pay: Leave salary equals the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave.
Child Care Leave (CCL)
- Who can avail: Women employees with minor children below 18 years.
- Duration: Up to 365 days in total service, for the two eldest surviving children.
- Purpose: Rearing, exams, sickness, or similar needs (documentary proof required).
- Spells: May be taken in multiple spells, but not more than 3 spells in a calendar year.
- Minimum spell: 15 days.
- Administration: Sanctioned like Earned Leave; prior approval required. Authority may refuse/cancel due to exigencies of service.
- Not allowed when: On unauthorized absence; or when under disciplinary proceedings/suspension or probation (with a limited medical exception for serious child illness certified by a Civil Surgeon).
- Pay: Leave salary equals last drawn pay.
- Accounting: Not debited to regular leave; maintained in a separate CCL account and recorded in Service Book.
- Conversions: Leave already taken cannot be converted into CCL.
- Special clarifications: For children abroad, produce certificate from school/authorized doctor; follow ex-India rules and spend 80% of CCL period in the child’s country. For children in a hostel (India/abroad), clarify how needs will be met. A spell crossing two calendar years counts toward the year in which it began.
General Eligibility & Salary During Leave
Eligibility
Eligibility for each leave type depends on employment category (teaching/non-teaching), gender, years of completed service, and the specific purpose of leave (e.g., childbirth, adoption, child’s exam/illness).
Salary During Leave
- Maternity: Paid.
- Paternity: Paid equal to last drawn pay during leave.
- CCL: Paid equal to last drawn pay during leave.
- HPL: Half-pay by default; commutation rules apply on medical grounds.
Tip: Always verify your current accrued leave and service years in your HR portal or with your Admin/Establishment section before planning long spells.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Check balance & eligibility: Confirm leave balance, service years and required documents (medical certificate, exam schedule, adoption documents, etc.).
- Draft application: Mention leave type, start and end dates, total days, and purpose. Attach supporting documents.
- Route for approval: Submit via official channel (HRMS/Leave portal or office order). Keep a copy of the acknowledgment.
- Track status: Follow up with the competent authority if needed. Do not proceed without approval when prior approval is mandatory (e.g., CCL).
- After leave: Join duty with any required fitness/medical/attendance documentation. Ensure leave account entries (including CCL’s separate ledger) are updated in your Service Book.
FAQs
Can CCL be split into short breaks?
Yes, but not more than three spells in a calendar year and not less than 15 days per spell.
Is CCL available during probation or pending disciplinary proceedings?
Generally no, except in serious medical cases of the child with proper certification from a Civil Surgeon-rank authority.
Can previously availed leave be converted into CCL?
No, conversion is not permitted.
Is Earned Leave encashable?
No, EL accumulates but is not encashable under this policy.
When can Paternity Leave be taken?
Within 15 days before or 15 days after the child’s delivery date.
