Female and male government employees are eligible for 730 days of child care leave (CCL), the Centre told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh told the Lower House of the Parliament in a written reply that female and single male government employees could avail 730 days of child care leave for taking care of two eldest surviving children up to the age of 18. In case of the child being differently-abled, there will be no age limit, as per a PTI report.
"Female government servant and single male govt servants appointed to the civil services and posts in connection with affairs of the Union, are eligible for child care leave (CCL) under Rule 43-C of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 for a maximum period of seven hundred and thirty days during the entire service for taking care of two eldest surviving children up to the age of 18 years and no age limit in case of differently-abled child," said the Union minister in his written statement.
According to a 2022 statement by the Ministry of Personnel, the leave can not be availed for more than three spells in a calendar year.
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But in case of a single female employee, the CCL shall be extended to six spells in a calendar year instead of three.
Female employees of the Central government are entitled to a maternity leave for upto 180 days during the pregnancy period. In cases of abortion or miscarriage, the leave can go upto 45 days during the entire service of the employee.
The male employees are also entitled to a paternity leave for upto 15 days for not more than two surviving children during the time his wife is recovering from a delivery. A male employee can avail this leave in case of adopting a child below the age of one year for not more than two surviving children.