Leave rules for government employees are framed under the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules. One of the most important types is Half Pay Leave (HPL), which can be used for both personal and medical needs. Rule 29 explains how this leave is credited and used.
1. Advance Credit of Half Pay Leave
- Every government servant (except military officers and employees in Vacation Departments) gets 20 days of Half Pay Leave each year.
- It is credited in two instalments:
- 10 days on 1st January
- 10 days on 1st July
👉 This means you don’t have to “earn” HPL month by month—it is credited in advance.
2. How Half Pay Leave is Calculated in Different Cases
Sometimes, the full 10 days each half-year is not credited, and instead the leave is calculated proportionately.
(a) When a Person is Newly Appointed
- HPL is credited at the rate of 5/3 days for every completed month of service in that half-year.
Example:
If an employee joins on 15th March, only April, May, and June (3 full months) will be counted.
Credit = 5/3 × 3 = 5 days HPL.
(b) Retirement or Resignation
- If an employee retires or resigns in the middle of the year, HPL is credited up to the date of retirement/resignation.
- The calculation is the same: 5/3 days per completed month.
Example:
If retirement is on 31st August, then for July–August half-year, only 2 months are counted.
Credit = 5/3 × 2 = 3 days HPL.
So total = 10 (Jan–June) + 3 (July–Aug) = 13 days HPL.
(c) Removal or Dismissal from Service
- If an employee is removed/dismissed, HPL is credited only up to the end of the month before dismissal.
Example:
If an employee is dismissed on 18th September, HPL will be calculated up to 31st August.
(ca) Death While in Service
- If a government servant dies while in service, HPL is credited at 5/3 days per completed month up to the date of death.
- This ensures that the leave encashment benefit is available to the family.
Example:
If death occurs on 20th May, then January–April = 4 months → 5/3 × 4 = 6 days HPL.
(d) Dies Non (Period Not Counted as Duty)
Example:
If dies non = 36 days in Jan–June, then deduction in July = 36 ÷ 18 = 2 days.
So instead of 10 days credit, only 8 days will be credited in July.
3. Departmental Leave Cases (Rule 49 Employees)
Employees who are eligible for Departmental Leave under Rule 49 (like teachers in some institutions) get 20 days of HPL after completing 12 months of actual duty.
4. When Can Half Pay Leave Be Taken?
- Medical Grounds: On production of a medical certificate.
- Private Affairs: For personal reasons, even without medical need.
This makes HPL flexible compared to some other leave types.
5. Rounding Off Rule
- Fractions of a day in calculation are rounded off to the nearest whole day.
Example:
If credit works out to 5.4 → 5 days.
If credit works out to 5.6 → 6 days.
Why Half Pay Leave Matters
- 20 days each year gives a safety net when Earned Leave is exhausted.
- Can be combined with Commuted Leave (where 2 HPL = 1 full pay leave) for long medical leave.
- Useful for employees nearing retirement, as leave encashment is available.
Key Takeaways
- HPL = 20 days per year (credited 10 + 10).
- Calculated at 5/3 days per completed month in special cases.
- Reduced if there is dies non.
- Can be taken on medical certificate or personal grounds.
- Rounding off makes calculation simple.
