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Rule 21 - Extraordinary Leave | KartavyaDesk

CCS Pension

Original Rule Text

(ii) for prosecuting higher scientific and technical studies. Explanation.- In the case of extraordinary leave other than extraordinary leave granted on medical certificate and extraordinary leave allowed to be counted as qualifying service under proviso to this rule, at the time of grant of such leave, a definite entry shall be made in the service book of the Government servant to the effect that the period of extraordinary leave shall not be treated as qualifying service and such an entry in the service book, if not made at the time of grant of extraordinary leave, can be made subsequently but not later than six months before the date of retirement of the Government servant on superannuation and if no such entry is made in the service book, the period of extraordinary leave shall be treated as qualifying service.

What This Means

Rule 21 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 focuses on how 'extraordinary leave' impacts your qualifying service for pension benefits. Qualifying service is the total length of time you've worked that counts towards your pension. Extraordinary leave is leave without pay, and generally, it doesn't count towards your qualifying service. However, there are exceptions, such as when it's taken on medical grounds or specifically allowed to count as qualifying service. This rule ensures clarity and prevents disputes regarding whether a period of extraordinary leave will be included when calculating your pensionable service.

The key takeaway is that if you take extraordinary leave (other than for medical reasons or when explicitly allowed), a note *must* be made in your service book stating that this leave won't count towards your pension. This entry should ideally be made when the leave is granted. If it's not, it can be added later, but no later than six months before your retirement. If no such entry is made, the extraordinary leave *will* be counted as qualifying service, which could increase your pension benefits. This rule affects all central government employees covered by the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021.

Essentially, it's about transparency and documentation. Make sure your service book accurately reflects whether your extraordinary leave is qualifying or non-qualifying. If you're unsure, consult with your administrative department to avoid any surprises when you retire.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Key Points

  • •Extraordinary leave generally does not count towards qualifying service for pension.
  • •An exception exists for extraordinary leave taken on medical grounds or when specifically allowed.
  • •A clear entry must be made in the service book stating whether extraordinary leave is qualifying or non-qualifying.
  • •If no entry is made, the extraordinary leave will be treated as qualifying service.
  • •The entry, if not made initially, must be made at least six months before retirement.

Practical Example

Ms. Anjali Sharma, a Section Officer, took 60 days of extraordinary leave to pursue a personal project. At the time of granting the leave, the administrative department forgot to make an entry in her service book stating that this leave would not be counted as qualifying service. Five months before her scheduled retirement, Ms. Sharma reviewed her service book and noticed the omission. She immediately brought it to the attention of the department, and the necessary entry was made. Had she not noticed and the entry not been made before the six-month deadline, those 60 days would have been counted as qualifying service, potentially increasing her pension amount. Mr. Rajesh Kumar took 90 days of extraordinary leave for medical treatment. This leave, being for medical reasons, will automatically be considered as qualifying service, regardless of whether a specific entry is made in his service book.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the entry in my service book is incorrect?▼
You should immediately bring it to the attention of your administrative department and request a correction. Ensure the correction is made well before the six-month deadline before retirement.
Does extraordinary leave taken for higher studies always count as qualifying service?▼
No. It depends on whether it was specifically allowed to be counted as qualifying service at the time it was granted. If not, it will not count unless no entry is made in the service book.
What is the significance of the six-month deadline?▼
The six-month deadline is crucial because it's the last point at which an entry can be made in your service book to specify that extraordinary leave is non-qualifying. After that, the leave will automatically be considered qualifying.
If I took extraordinary leave 15 years ago and no entry was made, is it too late?▼
No, it's not too late as long as you are more than six months away from your retirement date. The entry can be made retroactively, but it must be done at least six months before your retirement.
Where can I find the specific format for the entry to be made in the service book?▼
Your administrative department will have the standard format for such entries. Consult with them to ensure the entry is made correctly.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Test Your Knowledge

Question 1 of 3

According to Rule 21 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, under what circumstance is extraordinary leave automatically considered as qualifying service for pension?

Related Rules

Rule 62CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 - Rule 62Rule 19CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 - Rule 19Rule 65CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 - Rule 65Rule 68CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 - Rule 68Rule 72CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021 - Rule 72

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