Employees who availed study leave to receive balance amount of salary
Shimla, June 11
In a major employee welfare initiative, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to provide full salary to government employees proceeding on study leave for higher education during their service period.
With this decision, employees availing study leave will now receive 100 percent of their salary during the period of higher studies. Earlier, employees on study leave were entitled to leave salary equivalent to 40 percent of the pay they were drawing before proceeding on leave, along with Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA).
The state government has amended Rule 56 of the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972, adopting what it described as a sympathetic and employee-friendly approach. The move fulfills an announcement made by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the Budget for the financial year 2026-27. The benefit will also extend to employees who had previously availed study leave under the earlier provisions. Such employees will be paid the balance amount of salary due to them under the revised rules.
According to the government, acquiring advanced qualifications and upgrading professional skills through higher studies contributes to the personal growth of employees while also enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness in public service delivery. To avail the benefit, a government employee will be required to furnish an undertaking stating that he or she is not receiving any scholarship, stipend or remuneration from any part-time employment during the study period.
The government noted that it had earlier restored full salary during study leave for allopathy doctors pursuing higher and specialized courses at premier medical institutions, a step that has strengthened healthcare services in the state. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government remains committed to the welfare of its employees and continues to extend various benefits to them. He said that soon after assuming office, the present government restored the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for 1.36 lakh NPS employees, ensuring financial security and dignity in their post-retirement life. The Chief Minister said the enhanced study leave benefit would encourage employees to pursue higher education and acquire advanced skills, ultimately improving the quality and efficiency of services delivered to the people.
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