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Child Care Leave Rules: Who Gets CCL and How Many Days?
Who Can Take Child Care Leave
- A female government servant and a single male government servant may be granted child care leave (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(1), p. 39).
- A single male government servant means an unmarried, widower or divorcee government servant (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(4), Explanation, p. 40).
- In case of surrogacy, the commissioning mother with less than two surviving children may be granted child care leave (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(8), p. 40).
How Many Days and for Which Child
- You can get up to 730 days during your entire service to take care of your two eldest surviving children, for rearing or for needs such as education and sickness (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(1), p. 39).
- "Child" means a child below 18 years, or an offspring of any age with a minimum disability of 40% (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(2), p. 39).
Pay During Child Care Leave
| Period of CCL | Salary paid |
|---|---|
| First 365 days | 100% (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(4), p. 39) |
| Next 365 days | 80% (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(4), p. 39) |
Child care leave is not debited against your leave account (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(7), p. 40).
Conditions You Must Follow
- Not more than three spells in a calendar year (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(3)(i), p. 39).
- A single female government servant can take up to six spells in a calendar year (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(3)(ii), p. 39).
- Under DoPT OM dated 29.07.2024, the sanctioning authority may relax the limit by up to three more spells in a calendar year when your child is admitted to hospital as an inpatient (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(3)(i), note, p. 39).
- Not less than five days at a time (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(3)(iv), p. 39).
- Not ordinarily granted during probation, except in extreme situations and then for a minimal period (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(3)(iii), p. 39).
- CCL can be combined with any other kind of leave (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(5), p. 40). In continuation of CCL you can get leave due, including commuted leave up to 60 days and leave not due, up to one year, without a medical certificate (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C(6), p. 40).
Where to Check
Read Rule 43-C of the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 in the DoPT consolidated copy updated as on 24.09.2024 (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-C, p. 39).
These rules do not apply to Railway servants (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 2(a), p. 3). KVS, NVS and Delhi Police staff should also check their own organisation's orders.
Related Questions
Can a father take child care leave?
Only if he is a single male government servant, meaning unmarried, widower or divorcee (Rule 43-C).
Is there an age limit for the child?
Yes. The child must be below 18 years, unless the child has a disability of at least 40%, in which case there is no age limit (Rule 43-C(2)).
What is the minimum period of child care leave?
Child care leave may not be granted for less than five days at a time (Rule 43-C(3)(iv)).
Is child care leave deducted from my earned leave account?
No. Child care leave is not debited against the leave account (Rule 43-C(7)).
How many times a year can I take CCL?
Normally three spells in a calendar year, or six for a single female employee. The sanctioning authority may allow up to three more spells if your child is hospitalised as an inpatient.
Official Sources
- Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 (updated as on 24.09.2024) ยท Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India
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This article explains the official rules as published; it is not legal advice. Check the cited document, and your own department's orders, before acting.