Child care leave (CCL) gives a woman central government employee or a single male employee up to 730 days in the whole service, to look after the two eldest surviving children.
Pay is 100% for the first 365 days and 80% for the next 365 days. It can be taken in up to 3 spells a year (6 for a single woman), at least 5 days at a time.
Source: Rule 43-C, CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 (updated 24 September 2024) Confirmed · Updated 27 October 2026
Child care leave rules at a glance
| Item | Rule 43-C, CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 |
|---|---|
| Who can take it | Female government servant and single male government servant (unmarried, widower or divorcee) |
| Maximum | 730 days during entire service |
| For which children | Two eldest surviving children |
| Child means | Below 18 years, or any age with at least 40% disability |
| Leave salary | 100% for first 365 days, 80% for next 365 days |
| Spells per calendar year | 3 (6 for a single woman); up to 3 more can be relaxed if the child is a hospital inpatient |
| Minimum per spell | 5 days at a time |
| Leave account | Not debited against any leave account |
| Combine with other leave | Yes, with leave of any kind |
| Surrogacy | Commissioning mother with fewer than two surviving children can take it (from 18 June 2024) |
Who is eligible for child care leave?
- Women employees of the central government, married or not.
- Single male employees: the rule defines this as an unmarried man, a widower or a divorcee.
- Commissioning mothers in surrogacy, if they have fewer than two surviving children (GSR 331(E), 18 June 2024).
- Rule 43-C(3)(iii): CCL is not ordinarily granted during probation. The leave sanctioning authority can allow a minimal period in extreme situations.
Rule 43-C(1) says the leave may be granted by the authority competent to grant leave. It is not an absolute right, but the rule is a welfare provision and is meant for a genuine need of the children.
How much salary do you get on child care leave?
Rule 43-C(4) pays 100% of salary for the first 365 days and 80% for the next 365 days. This was changed by the DoPT notification of 11 December 2018. Before that, all 730 days were on full pay.
| CCL days used (cumulative) | Leave salary |
|---|---|
| Day 1 to day 365 | 100% |
| Day 366 to day 730 | 80% |
Worked example: basic pay ₹44,900
Take an employee whose basic pay is ₹44,900 (the starting cell of Level 7 in the 7th CPC pay matrix). Our calculation
| Period of CCL | Share of salary | Basic pay for a month of CCL |
|---|---|---|
| Within first 365 days | 100% | ₹44,900 |
| Within next 365 days | 80% | ₹35,920 |
| Difference | 20% | ₹8,980 less per month |
The 100% and 80% bands follow the total of days taken across the whole service, not the calendar year. If you already used 300 days earlier, only the next 65 days are on full pay.
How many spells and how many days at a time?
- Three spells in a calendar year for a woman employee or a single male employee.
- Six spells in a calendar year for a single female employee.
- Relaxation: DoPT OM A-24011/5/2024-ESTT-Leave dated 29 July 2024 lets the leave sanctioning authority allow up to three more spells in a year, if the child is admitted to a hospital as an inpatient.
- Minimum 5 days at a time. DoPT OM of 22 June 2018 reduced it from 15 days to 5 days (effective 13 June 2018).
What is a “child” for child care leave?
A child below 18 years of age counts. An offspring of any age with a disability of at least 40% also counts. The earlier 22-year limit for disabled children was removed with effect from 13 June 2018 (DoPT OM 22 June 2018).
Can child care leave be combined with other leave?
- CCL can be combined with leave of any other kind (Rule 43-C(5)).
- Leave of the kind due, including commuted leave up to 60 days and leave not due, up to a maximum of one year, can be granted after CCL without a medical certificate (Rule 43-C(6)).
- CCL is not debited against your leave account (Rule 43-C(7)). Your earned leave and half pay leave balance stays as it is.
PIB has also listed other CCL facilities: permission to leave headquarters and go abroad, and LTC while on CCL (PIB, 21 August 2025). See our LTC final claim bill guide for the claim steps.
How to apply for child care leave
- Check your balance: 730 days minus all days taken earlier in service.
- Write the application to the leave sanctioning authority. Give the dates, number of days and the reason (rearing, education, sickness, examination or similar need).
- Keep each spell at least 5 days. Count the spells you have already used in the calendar year.
- If your child is a hospital inpatient and you need more than 3 spells, attach the hospital admission proof and ask for relaxation under the OM of 29 July 2024.
- After sanction, check that the office records CCL separately and does not debit it from earned leave.
Child care leave: frequently asked questions
How many days of child care leave can a central government employee take?
A maximum of 730 days during the entire service, for the two eldest surviving children (Rule 43-C(1), CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972).
Is child care leave paid at full salary?
The first 365 days are paid at 100% of salary and the next 365 days at 80% (Rule 43-C(4)).
Can a male employee take child care leave?
Only a single male employee: unmarried, widower or divorcee. A married male employee is not covered under Rule 43-C.
What is the minimum period of child care leave at a time?
Five days. DoPT reduced it from 15 days to 5 days by its OM of 22 June 2018.
How many times can child care leave be taken in a year?
Three spells in a calendar year, and six for a single woman. Up to three more spells can be relaxed if the child is admitted to a hospital as an inpatient (OM of 29 July 2024).
Does child care leave reduce earned leave?
No. Rule 43-C(7) says CCL is not debited against the leave account.
Related: DA hike tracker · 7th CPC pay matrix · 7th CPC salary calculator.
Official sources
- CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972, updated as on 24 September 2024 (Rule 43-C)
- DoPT OM No. 13018/6/2013-Estt.(L) dated 22 June 2018 (5-day minimum, 22-year limit removed)
- DoPT OM No. A-24011/5/2024-ESTT-Leave dated 29 July 2024 (relaxation of spells)
- DoPT Notification G.S.R. 331(E) dated 18 June 2024 (surrogacy; copy on CSIR site)
- PIB press release dated 21 August 2025: inclusivity in workplace for women
Figures marked “Our calculation” are worked out by 8thpaycalculator.in from these orders. See our editorial policy and corrections policy.
