Study Leave Rules
This part of the Haryana Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 2016, talks about study leave. This is a special kind of leave that government employees can take to study or train for something that will help them do their jobs better. The rules about study leave are in Chapter – XI of the document.
- Study leave is for things like higher studies or training in professional or technical subjects. It has to be something that will directly help the employee with their work.
- Study leave can also be used for training, study tours, and even things that aren’t directly related to the employee’s work, but will still make them a better employee.
- Not everyone can get study leave. Usually, you have to have worked for the government for at least five years, be in a “gazetted post,” and not be close to retirement.
- Before you can take study leave, the government has to agree that the studies will be useful, and if you’re studying in another country, you need permission to use foreign money to pay for it.
- You have to write a detailed application for study leave, and if your plans change, you have to tell the right people.
- You can usually take up to 12 months of study leave at once, and no more than 24 months in your whole career.
- Study leave doesn’t count against your regular leave time.
- If you’re studying in another country, you might get a special allowance to help pay for it. You can also keep any scholarships or money you get from a part-time job while you’re studying.
- If you don’t finish your studies or leave your job too soon after study leave, you might have to pay back the money the government spent on your studies.
- Study leave counts as time worked for things like promotions and retirement.
Study Leave FAQs
Q: What are the conditions for getting study leave?
A: To be eligible for study leave:
- The course of study must be directly related to your job and be beneficial to the government.
- You must have completed at least five years of regular service with the government.
- You must hold a gazetted post.
- You must not be due to retire within five years of your expected return from study leave.
Intra Haryana Portal: HRMS e Salary, Service Book, Leave
Q: How do I apply for study leave?
A: You must submit a written application through the proper channels to the authority who can approve study leave. Your application should clearly state the courses and examinations you plan to take. If you can’t give all the details yet, or your plans change after you leave India, you need to inform the Head of Mission or the authority who approved your leave as soon as possible.
Q: What’s the maximum amount of study leave I can take?
A: Generally, you can take up to 12 months at a time, but this can be extended in special cases. Over your entire career, you can take a maximum of 24 months of study leave, including any study leave granted under other rules.
Q: Who approves study leave?
A: The Administrative Department, in agreement with the Finance Department, is responsible for approving study leave. If you are on deputation or foreign service, the authority in your parent department approves your leave.
Q: Can I combine study leave with other kinds of leave?
A: Yes, you can combine study leave with other types of leave. However, the total time you are away from work, including vacation time, cannot be more than 28 months. If you combine study leave with any other leave, you can start your studies during the other leave, but that time will not count as study leave.
Q: What happens if my course of study finishes before my approved study leave ends?
A: You should return to duty once the course is over, unless you have prior permission from the authority that granted your leave to convert the remaining study leave into another type of leave.
Q: What is my salary like during study leave?
A: You will get a leave salary equal to half your regular pay (like during half-pay leave), plus any scholarships, stipends, or other income you might have. You’ll also get dearness and other compensatory allowances as they apply at your home station.
Q: What are the conditions for getting a study allowance?
A: If you’re studying outside India, you might be eligible for a study allowance at a rate set by the government of India. You can get this allowance for the time you spend studying at a recognized institution, for study tours, and for exams at the end of your course. Here are some more details:
- The maximum amount of study allowance you can receive is for 24 months total.
- You might get study allowance payments each month, but you have to agree to pay back any overpayment if you don’t meet the requirements.
- You can usually get the allowance during vacations if you are taking a special course or training approved by the government, or if you can show you kept studying during the vacation.
- You won’t get the allowance during a vacation at the end of your studies, except for maybe 14 days.
- You won’t get the allowance for any time you stop studying for personal reasons, unless you are sick for up to 14 days at a time.
- If you’re studying at an educational institution, you need to provide certificates of attendance to get the allowance.
- If you’re not in a formal course, you need to submit a diary and report about your studies.
- To get the full study allowance, you have to confirm that you’re not getting any other scholarships, stipends, or income from part-time work.
Q: Can I keep a scholarship or stipend if I get one while on study leave?
A: Yes, you can usually keep any scholarship or stipend you get from a government or non-government source in addition to your leave salary. However, you probably won’t get a study allowance if you are already getting a scholarship or stipend. If the scholarship/stipend (minus any fees you pay) is less than the study allowance you would normally get, you might get the difference.
Q: What if I have a part-time job during study leave?
A: You are generally allowed to keep any income from a part-time job, but you usually won’t get the study allowance. If your part-time income (after deducting fees) is less than the study allowance, you might be given the difference.
Q: Will the government pay for my travel?
A: If you are on study leave that the government sponsored, you will get travel allowance.
Q: Will the government pay for my course fees?
A: Usually, you are responsible for paying your own course fees. However, the relevant authority may cover the cost in special circumstances. This is not possible if you are receiving a scholarship or stipend or have income from a part-time job.
Q: Do I have to sign anything before I go on study leave?
A: If you are a permanent employee, you have to sign a bond before your study leave begins, promising to return to work for a certain amount of time. There’s a different bond for temporary employees as well.
Q: What happens if I resign or retire after study leave?
A: If you resign, retire, or leave your job without returning to duty after study leave, or if you don’t finish your course, you will have to pay back double the amount of leave salary, study allowance, fees, travel costs, and any other expenses the government paid. You’ll also have to pay back double the amount that other organizations (like foreign governments or foundations) spent on you.
There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, you don’t have to pay back the money if:
- You retire for medical reasons after returning from study leave.
- You are sent to work for another government organization and then resign from your government job to work there permanently.
Q: Does study leave count toward my work record for promotions and benefits?
A: Yes, study leave counts as service for promotions, pension, seniority, and increments. It does not count towards earning leave, except for half-pay leave.
Note: The information provided in this article about the Study Leave Rules for Haryana Government Employees is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and up-to-date details, we do not guarantee that the content is free from errors or omissions.