Leave rules can often feel complicated, but understanding the basics helps every government servant plan better. Rule 26 explains how earned leave is credited, carried forward, and used for employees serving in departments other than vacation departments (like schools and colleges).
How Earned Leave is Credited
- Every government servant gets 30 days of earned leave per year, credited in two parts:
- 15 days on 1st January
- 15 days on 1st July
- If an employee joins duty in the middle of the year, the leave will be credited proportionately.
Special Benefit for Joining Time
When an employee is transferred and does not use the full joining time (the period allowed to shift and settle at the new posting):
- The unutilized joining time (up to 15 days) is converted into earned leave and added to the leave account.
- But the total leave balance cannot exceed 300 days.
Carry Forward of Leave
- Leave not used in one half of the year is carried forward.
- The maximum limit is 300 days.
- If an employee already has more than 285 days as on 30th June or 31st December, then the fresh 15-day credit will be kept separately and adjusted when the employee takes leave during the next half-year. Only the remaining balance (if any) will be added to the leave account without crossing the 300-day cap.
Special Cases
- Employees who were not in permanent service but later become permanent will get leave credited for their previous duty, after deducting any leave already taken.
- Time spent on foreign service also counts for earned leave, provided contributions are made.
- For some special categories (like non-Asiatic domicile employees recruited before 1949), different rules apply.
Maximum Leave That Can Be Taken at a Time
- Normally, an employee can take up to 180 days of earned leave at once.
- In special cases, if the leave is spent outside India (except neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, etc.), it can be extended up to 300 days.
Key Takeaway
Earned leave is a valuable benefit, helping employees balance work and personal life. By keeping track of credit, carry-forward rules, and maximum limits, government servants can plan long breaks, travel, or family time without losing pay or service benefits.
