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How Many Days of Paternity Leave Do Central Govt Staff Get?
Who Is Eligible and How Many Days
A male government servant, including an apprentice, with less than two surviving children may be granted paternity leave for 15 days during the confinement of his wife for childbirth (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-A(1), p. 37).
When You Can Take It
- You can take it up to 15 days before, or up to six months from, the date of delivery of the child (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-A(1), p. 37).
- If you do not take it within this period, the leave lapses (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-A(5), p. 37).
- Paternity leave shall not normally be refused under any circumstances (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-A, Note, p. 37).
Pay and Combining With Other Leave
- You are paid leave salary equal to the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-A(2), p. 37).
- It may be combined with leave of any other kind (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-A(3), p. 37).
- It is not debited against your leave account (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-A(4), p. 37).
Adoption and Surrogacy
- Adoption: a male government servant with less than two surviving children who accepts a child below one year in pre-adoption foster care, or validly adopts such a child, may get 15 days of paternity leave within six months of that date (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-AA(1), p. 37).
- If pre-adoption foster care is not followed by valid adoption, the paternity leave already taken is debited from other leave at your credit (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-AA(1), proviso, p. 37).
- Surrogacy: a commissioning father with less than two surviving children may get 15 days of paternity leave within six months from the date of delivery (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-A(6), p. 37).
Where to Check
Read Rules 43-A and 43-AA of the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 in the DoPT consolidated copy updated as on 24.09.2024 (CCS (Leave) Rules 1972, Rule 43-A, p. 37).
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 my office refuse paternity leave?
The rules say paternity leave shall not normally be refused under any circumstances (Rule 43-A, Note).
What happens if I do not take paternity leave within six months?
It lapses. Paternity leave not taken within the period allowed is treated as lapsed (Rule 43-A(5)).
Is paternity leave available when I adopt a child?
Yes. If you have less than two surviving children and adopt, or accept in pre-adoption foster care, a child below one year, you may get 15 days within six months (Rule 43-AA).
Can I add earned leave to paternity leave?
Yes. Paternity leave may be combined with leave of any other kind (Rule 43-A(3)).
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.