Casual Leave (CL) Rules 2026: Combination Limit & ‘Sandwich’ Holiday Benefit
Updated: 24 January 2026 | Applies: All Central Govt Employees
Combination Warning: Never apply for CL and EL together. If you do, the entire period (including holidays) may be treated as Earned Leave, ruining your leave balance.
Casual Leave (CL) is the most flexible leave available to Central Government employees. Unlike Earned Leave, it is not treated as an “absence from duty,” meaning your pay status remains uninterrupted. However, strict combination rules apply.
The “Sandwich” Rule: CL vs. EL
The biggest advantage of CL is how it treats intervening holidays.
| Scenario | If you take CL | If you take EL |
|---|---|---|
| Leave taken on: | Friday & Monday | Friday & Monday |
| Intervening Holidays: | Sat & Sun (Weekly Off) | Sat & Sun (Weekly Off) |
| Days Debited: | 2 Days (Fri, Mon) | 4 Days (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon) |
| Conclusion: | Holidays are Free. | Holidays are counted as Leave. |
Combination Rules: What is Allowed?
You cannot mix all types of leaves. Use this grid to plan:
- ALLOWED: CL + Restricted Holiday (RH) + Special Casual Leave (SCL).
- BANNED: CL + Earned Leave (EL) + Half Pay Leave (HPL) + Commuted Leave.
Example: You cannot take CL on Friday and EL on Monday. You must convert both to EL or both to CL.
Half-Day CL & LTC Rules
1. Half-Day Leave:
CL is the ONLY leave that can be taken for half a day (Morning or Afternoon session). EL and HPL must be taken for full days.
2. LTC on Casual Leave:
Yes, you can avail Leave Travel Concession (LTC) while on Casual Leave. The minimum period rule (e.g., 5 days for CCL) does not apply to CL.
Entitlement (Days per Year)
- Office Staff (5-Day Week): 8 Days.
- Office Staff (6-Day Week): 12 Days.
- Industrial Workers: As per Standing Orders (usually 12).
सरल शब्दों में: आकस्मिक अवकाश (CL) नियम
1. कॉम्बिनेशन मना है: CL को कभी भी EL (अर्जित अवकाश) के साथ नहीं जोड़ सकते।
2. छुट्टियां फ्री हैं: अगर आप शुक्रवार और सोमवार की CL लेते हैं, तो बीच का शनिवार-रविवार आपकी छुट्टी में नहीं गिना जाएगा। (EL में यह गिन लिया जाता है)।
3. आधा दिन: केवल CL ही ऐसी छुट्टी है जो “आधे दिन” (Half Day) के लिए ली जा सकती है।
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