Ultimate Guide to Study Leave for Government Servants in India – CCS Leave Rules 1972

Study Leave is a special kind of leave granted to government employees to enable them to pursue higher studies, specialized training, or research that enhances their professional knowledge and ultimately benefits public service. It is a privilege, not an automatic entitlement, and comes with conditions and obligations.

1. Purpose of Study Leave (Rule 50)

      The purpose of study leave is to allow government servants to:

• Pursue higher studies or professional training directly related to official duties.
• Attend training courses or study tours for skill enhancement and professional development.
• Undertake studies that broaden their knowledge, even if not directly connected to current duties, improving their overall efficiency.

Key points:

• Must be approved by competent authority and seen as beneficial to public service.
• Not normally granted for purely academic or literary courses, except for certain services (e.g., Indian Economic Service, Indian Statistical Service, or medical officers pursuing postgraduate studies).
• Department of Economic Affairs’ approval is needed for leave outside India.
• Must have sufficient service period left before superannuation to make study leave meaningful.

Example:
An officer in the Indian Economic Service may take study leave abroad to pursue a course in economic policy not available in India, subject to approval from the Chief Economic Adviser.

2. Eligibility and Conditions

• Minimum service requirement: Usually 5 years, including probation.
• Age limit: Should not be near superannuation; must have at least 3 years of service remaining post-study leave.
• Bond requirement: Employee must execute a bond to serve the government for a fixed period after returning.
• Not too frequent: Study leave cannot be taken so often that it disrupts regular duties or causes cadre difficulties.

3. Maximum Duration of Study Leave (Rule 51)

Note: Duration includes any similar leave previously granted for study or training.

4. Application and Sanction (Rules 52–53)

Application Procedure:

• Submit through proper channels to the authority competent to grant leave.
• Specify course details, examinations, and expected duration.
• Any changes in study program abroad must be reported and approved.

Sanction Procedure:

• Competent authority obtains a report from the Audit Officer including past study leave.
• Temporary transfers require concurrence from the parent department.
• Bonds must be executed by both permanent and non-permanent employees.
• After completion, certificates of study or training must be submitted.

Example:
A medical officer applying for a 2-year postgraduate course in cardiology abroad must submit the course details, obtain DGHS approval, and execute a bond for 5 years’ service after return.

5. Accounting of Study Leave (Rule 54)

• Study leave is not debited from regular leave accounts.
• Can be combined with other types of leave (except extraordinary leave) up to:
  • 28 months total absence generally
  • 36 months for Ph.D. courses
• Leave taken for personal purposes during study leave does not count as study leave.

6. Leave Salary During Study Leave (Rule 56)

• In India or abroad: Pay as drawn immediately before leave, including DA and HRA.
• If receiving scholarship, stipend, or remuneration, it is adjusted against leave salary (but cannot reduce salary below half-pay leave level).
• Pay revision benefits apply to ongoing study leave from 1 Jan 1996.

Example:
If an officer drawing ₹80,000/month salary takes study leave, they continue to receive ₹80,000 + DA + HRA, adjusted if they receive any scholarship.

7. Additional Allowances (Rule 60)

• HRA: Paid for the first 180 days at the rates applicable to the station from where leave commenced.
• Beyond 180 days, continuation requires certificate per Ministry of Finance rules.
• No other allowances, except DA and HRA, are payable.

8. Travel and Study Fees (Rules 61–62)

• Travel allowance (TA) is generally not provided, except in exceptional cases.
• Study fees are normally borne by the employee. Exception: can be sanctioned by the President in extraordinary cases.
• If receiving stipend/scholarship, fees cannot be reimbursed.

9. Resignation, Retirement, or Non-Completion (Rule 63)

• Refund obligations:
  • Leave salary, fees, travel expenses, and other government expenses incurred must be refunded.
  • Excess leave salary drawn must also be refunded.
• Exceptions:
  • Medical retirement.
  • Permanent absorption in statutory/autonomous bodies.
• The President can waive or reduce repayment in exceptional public interest cases.

Example:
If a government servant resigns after 1 year of study leave without returning, they must refund all salary and expenses paid for the leave.

10. Key Takeaways

• Study leave is a strategic leave for skill and knowledge enhancement.
• Must be beneficial to government service.
• Leave salary and allowances are well-defined, but repayment rules are strict in case of non-completion.
• Study leave is not debited from regular leave and can be combined with other leaves, enhancing flexibility.