Articles / Pay and Allowances
Children Education Allowance (CEA): Amount and Conditions
CEA and Hostel Subsidy Amounts
| Item | Amount from 1 January 2024 |
|---|---|
| Children Education Allowance | Rs 2,812.50 per month (fixed) (DoPT OM No. A-27012/01/2023-Pers.Policy(Allowance) dated 25.04.2024) |
| Hostel subsidy | Rs 8,437.50 per month (fixed) (DoPT OM No. A-27012/01/2023-Pers.Policy(Allowance) dated 25.04.2024) |
| CEA for a Divyang child | Rs 5,625 per month (fixed) (DoPT OM No. A-27012/01/2023-Pers.Policy(Allowance) dated 25.04.2024) |
These amounts are 25% higher than before because DA reached 50% from 1 January 2024 (DoPT OM No. A-27012/01/2023-Pers.Policy(Allowance) dated 25.04.2024). Earlier the annual limits were Rs 27,000 for CEA and Rs 81,000 for hostel subsidy, with an automatic 25% rise each time DA reaches 50% (KVS Audit FAQ, Q.14). At Rs 2,812.50 a month, CEA now works out to Rs 33,750 a year.
The amount is counted per child. The older KVS Accounts Code, for example, set CEA as a monthly amount for a child with an annual ceiling per child (KVS Accounts Code (draft revision), CEA clause, PDF p. 121).
Which Children and Classes Are Covered
- Two eldest children. CEA and hostel subsidy are admissible only for your two eldest surviving children. A third child is covered only if the second childbirth resulted in multiple births, or after a failed sterilisation operation (KVS Audit FAQ, Q.10).
- Classes. From academic year 2023-24, CEA and hostel subsidy cover three classes before Class I up to Class XII, whatever the class is called (DoPT OM dated 14.03.2024 as circulated by KVS on 12.05.2026, PDF p. 3).
- Diploma after Class X. They also cover the first two years of a diploma or certificate course at a Polytechnic, ITI or Engineering College, if the child joins it after Class X and you did not get CEA or hostel subsidy for Classes XI and XII (DoPT OM dated 14.03.2024 as circulated by KVS on 12.05.2026, PDF p. 3).
- NEP repeat year. There is a one-time relaxation if your child had to repeat one extra class because of the National Education Policy 2020 (DoPT OM dated 14.03.2024 as circulated by KVS on 12.05.2026, PDF p. 3).
- Repeating a class. CEA can be claimed twice for the same class only if the child failed in that class (KVS Audit FAQ, Q.11).
- Distance learning. CEA can be claimed for children studying by correspondence or distance learning (KVS Audit FAQ, Q.13).
How to Claim
Reimbursement is made once a year, after the financial year ends (KVS Audit FAQ, Q.14).
Delhi Police's claim form, issued under DoPT Order No. A-27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL) effective from 1 July 2017, uses a bonafide certificate from the head of the school (Delhi Police CEA claim proforma, Annexure B, PDF p. 3), or a self-declaration by the employee (Delhi Police CEA claim proforma, self-declaration, PDF p. 4).
If your spouse is also employed, the form asks you to certify that your spouse has not claimed and will not claim CEA for the same child (Delhi Police CEA claim proforma, item 17, PDF p. 2).
You cannot claim CEA for any period treated as dies non (KVS Audit FAQ, Q.12).
Where to Check
The amounts are in DoPT OM No. A-27012/01/2023-Pers.Policy(Allowance) dated 25 April 2024 (DoPT OM No. A-27012/01/2023-Pers.Policy(Allowance) dated 25.04.2024). The classes covered are in DoPT OM of the same number dated 14 March 2024 (DoPT OM No. A-27012/01/2023-Pers.Policy(Allowance) dated 14.03.2024), which modified para 2(P) of OM No. A-27012/02/2017-Estt.(AL) dated 17 July 2018 (DoPT OM dated 14.03.2024 as circulated by KVS on 12.05.2026, PDF p. 3).
KVS circulated the 14 March 2024 OM to its units on 12 May 2026 (DoPT OM dated 14.03.2024 as circulated by KVS on 12.05.2026, PDF p. 1). NVS and Delhi Police staff should follow their employer's circular and claim form.
Related Questions
How much is CEA per month now?
CEA is Rs 2,812.50 per month, fixed, from 1 January 2024, under DoPT OM No. A-27012/01/2023-Pers.Policy(Allowance) dated 25 April 2024.
What is the hostel subsidy amount?
Hostel subsidy is Rs 8,437.50 per month, fixed, from 1 January 2024.
Can I claim CEA for my third child?
No, unless the second childbirth resulted in multiple births or there was a failed sterilisation operation. CEA is for the two eldest surviving children only.
Is CEA available for nursery classes?
Yes. From academic year 2023-24, CEA covers three classes before Class I, whatever they are called, up to Class XII.
Can I claim CEA for a child doing a polytechnic or ITI diploma?
Yes, for the first two years of the course if the child joined after Class X and you did not claim CEA or hostel subsidy for Classes XI and XII.
Official Sources
- OM No. A-27012/01/2023-Pers.Policy(Allowance) dated 25.04.2024: CEA and hostel subsidy revised by 25% · Department of Personnel and Training
- OM No. A-27012/01/2023-Pers.Policy(Allowance) dated 14.03.2024: CEA in line with NEP 2020 · Department of Personnel and Training
- KVS circular dated 12.05.2026 forwarding the DoPT OM dated 14.03.2024 · Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
- Proforma for reimbursement of Children Education Allowance / Hostel Subsidy · Delhi Police
- Audit (Pay, DA, HRA, CEA etc.) FAQ · Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
- KVS Accounts Code (draft revision) · Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
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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.