7th CPC Report on Child Care Leave (CCL)

Child Care Leave Rules for Central Government Employees

Central Government more concern for women employees. CCL is granted for two years (730 days) during their entire service

7th Pay Commission Report on Child Care Leave (CCL) for Central Government Employees

Child Care Leave or CCL is granted to women employees for a maximum period of two years (730 days) during their entire service for taking care of their minor children (up to eighteen years of age).

There are several demands relating to Child Care Leave which include converting the same into “family care” leave, extending the facility to male parents and many representations stressing that it should be extended at least to single male parents.

Suggestions have also been received that in cases where the child is differently-abled, the clause stipulating that the child should be minor, should be done away with.

Single mothers have highlighted their unique problems and requested the Commission for liberalizing the grant of Child Care Leave. Interestingly, representations have also been made for discontinuance of the Child Care Leave, primarily on the grounds that it disrupts office working and also because it promotes gender discrimination.

7th CPC Analysis and Recommendations on CCL

When Child Care Leave was first introduced by the VI CPC it generated considerable interest as it represented a positive measure benefiting women employees.

It also took a while to stabilize and it is seen that as many as five amendments/clarifications were issued within a short period of time.

As it stands, it is meant for women employees “for taking care of up to two children whether for rearing the children or looking after their needs like examination, sickness etc.”

It is treated akin to Earned Leave and is sanctioned as such. It may not, however, be granted in more than three spells in a calendar year.

In the first two years of its implementation, the experience was that women employees tended to treat this as Casual Leave or an extension of the same, and the resultant frequent absences caused disruptions at work.

To address this, in September 2010, a clarification was issued stipulating that CCL may not be granted in more than three spells in a calendar year and also that it may not be granted for less than 15 days at a time.

However, the latter stipulation was subsequently withdrawn and as per the latest clarification issued on 5 June 2014 the government has decided to remove the requirement of minimum period of 15 days Child Care Leave.

It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that the capping of maximum three spells in a calendar year has, to some extent, addressed the problems relating to disruption of work.

Notwithstanding that, in the course of discussions with various stakeholders, the sense that has come across is that what was introduced as a welfare measure to help employees in times of need, is seen as a benefit that has to be availed simply because it exists.

There is, therefore, a palpable need to bring in some inhibiting feature so as to ensure that only genuinely affected employees avail of this scheme.

Towards this end, the Commission recommends that Child Care Leave should be granted at 100 per cent of the salary for the first 365 days, but at 80 per cent of the salary for the next 365 days. In making this recommendation the Commission has also kept in mind the fact the concept of a paid (whether 100% or 80%) leave solely for child care for a period of two years, is a liberal measure unmatched anywhere else.

The Commission notes that in the event a male employee is single, the onus of rearing and nurturing the children falls squarely on his shoulders. Hence extension of CCL to single male parents is recommended.

Moreover, the Commission recognizes the additional responsibility on the shoulders of employees who are single mothers.

Accordingly, it is Report of the Seventh CPC 365 Index recommended that for such employees, the constitutionality of three spells in a calendar year should be relaxed to six spells in a calendar year.

How to Claim Child Care Leave in Central Government Services?

As per the Service Record, the employees (Male or Female) having minor children may be admissible Child Care Leave for rearing or any of their requirements like education, sickness etc

80 Percent Salary on CCL Calculation as per Dopt Order

As per the Dopt order issued on 30 August 2019, CCL may be granted at 100% of the leave salary for the first 365 days and 80% of the leave salary for the next 365 days [Click to view the order]

Child Care Leave – Detailed Questions and Answers

Top Developments on Child Care Leave:

• Child Care Leave to Single Male Defence Industrial Employees February 20, 2020
• 7th Pay Commission Leave – Seeking Formal and Informal Clarifications September 25, 2019
• CCL to Single Male Service Personnel August 13, 2019
• 7th CPC Child Care Leave: Special Allowance for Women June 27, 2019
• FAQ on CCL : Whether CCL can be claimed as a matter of right? May 11, 2019
• CCL Proceed on Foreign Travel – DoPT Clarification Orders Dt. 3.4.2018 May 11, 2019
• Child Care Leave (CCL) – Clarification DOP Order Dt. 18.4.2018 May 11, 2019
• Child Care Leave – All Q & A Discussed on 4.5.2019 May 5, 2019
• Amendment in (Child Care Leave) CCL – Railway Board Orders February 25, 2019
• Child Care Leave – Clarification on Minimum Residency Period February 25, 2019
• Single Male Employees to get Child Care Leave December 26, 2018
• Clarification on Child Care Leave – Railway Board October 31, 2018
• Maternity Leave and Child Care Leave to Women Employees August 12, 2018
• Child Care Leave – DoPT Clarification Orders on 22.6.2018 June 28, 2018
• Availing LTC During CCL – DoPT Order dt: 3.4.2018 April 12, 2018
• Special Allowance for child care for women with disabilities – Dopt orders on 16.8.2017 August 18, 2017
• Child Care Leave – NC JCM writes to Govt. of India August 9, 2017
• Proposals on Child Care Leave (CCL) and Maternity Leave – Dopt OM on 1.4.2016 April 4, 2016
• Clarification on Child Care Leave – Dopt issued orders on 12.1.2016 January 12, 2016
• 7th Pay Commission Recommendations on Leave and Holidays December 6, 2015
• Child Care Leave to WB Female Teachers at par with CG Employees July 23, 2015
• Central Govt employee opts for a surrogate child – What says CCS (Leave) Rules..? November 11, 2014
• Child Care Leave, introduced by the 6th CPC, was a boon for women employees. April 7, 2014
• SBI introduces sabbatical leave to female staff; may extend to males January 10, 2014
• No proposal to introduce ‘Parents Care Leave’ on line of ‘Child Care Leave’ – Central Government December 24, 2013