CBSE Board Exams 2026: Why Central Govt Working Mothers Must Take CCL
With the CBSE Board Examinations for Classes 10 and 12 scheduled between mid-February and April 2026, millions of students are entering their most crucial academic phase. For working women in the Central Government, balancing office responsibilities with a child’s exam stress is an immense challenge. This is precisely why the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) provides the provision of Child Care Leave (CCL).
Authority: Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT)
Applicability: Female Central Government Employees (and Single Male Employees)
Taking time off during the board exams is not just about helping your child revise; it is about providing critical emotional and psychological support. In practice, many female employees hesitate to apply for CCL due to pending office work, but DoPT rules explicitly recognize “examination” as a primary, legitimate ground for granting this leave.
The CBSE 2026 Schedule & The Mother’s Role
The CBSE datesheet spans nearly 45 days, with core subjects often spaced out by 3 to 5 days. A mother’s physical presence helps regulate the child’s sleep cycle, ensures proper nutrition, and severely reduces the pre-exam anxiety that peaks during these gap days. Utilizing CCL allows you to transform from a stressed, working parent into a calm, stabilizing anchor for your child.
DoPT Child Care Leave (CCL) Rules 2026: Key Parameters
The DoPT allows female employees (and single male employees) a maximum of 730 days of Child Care Leave during their entire service period for their two eldest surviving children. If you are planning to apply for CCL for the CBSE Board Exams, you must understand the exact statutory limits and pay regulations.
| CCL Rule Parameter | Official DoPT Guideline |
|---|---|
| Maximum Duration | 730 Days in entire service |
| Age Limit of Child | Up to 18 years (No limit for Divyang child) |
| Minimum Days per Spell | 5 Days |
| Maximum Spells per Year | 3 Spells (6 for single female Govt servants) |
| Leave Salary (Pay) | 100% for first 365 days; 80% for next 365 days |
Will taking CCL affect my monthly salary?
It depends on your previous CCL usage. According to the 7th Pay Commission modifications, you will receive 100% of your leave salary for the first 365 days of your total CCL quota. However, if you have already exhausted 365 days in the past, taking CCL now will result in your leave salary being reduced to 80% of your standard pay for the remaining 365 days.
Exam Preparation Guide & CCL Strategy for Working Women
To maximize the benefit of your Child Care Leave without disrupting your office hierarchy, strategic planning is essential. Do not wait until the exam eve to submit your application on the e-HRMS portal.
Apply at least 15 days in advance via e-HRMS
Attach the CBSE Board Datesheet as proof
Break the leave into 2 spells if needed (e.g., 10 days each)
Handover pending files to your link officer
Do not apply for less than 5 days
Cannot be claimed as a matter of absolute right
Do not leave headquarters without prior approval
Cannot be sanctioned during probation (unless extreme emergency)
How to schedule your CCL during the exams?
Since you are restricted to a maximum of 3 spells per calendar year, avoid taking 5 days of leave for every single exam. Instead, club the most difficult subjects together. For instance, take a 15-day continuous spell covering Mathematics, Science, and Social Science, utilizing weekends and gazetted holidays optimally within that single spell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take Child Care Leave specifically for my child’s board exams?
Yes, the DoPT explicitly lists “examinations” and “sickness” as the primary authorized grounds for granting Child Care Leave (CCL) to eligible Central Government employees.
What is the minimum number of days I can take for CCL?
The minimum duration for a single spell of Child Care Leave is 5 days. Applications for less than 5 days will be automatically rejected by the administrative portal.
Is CCL applicable for children giving Class 12 board exams?
Yes, CCL can be availed for children up to the age of 18 years. Since most Class 12 students are 17 or 18 years old during their board exams, mothers are fully eligible to apply.
How many times can I apply for CCL in one year?
A regular female employee can avail CCL in a maximum of 3 spells per calendar year. However, a single female Government servant can avail it in up to 6 spells per year.
हिंदी सारांश
फरवरी-अप्रैल 2026 में होने वाली सीबीएसई (CBSE) बोर्ड परीक्षाओं के दौरान बच्चों को मानसिक और भावनात्मक सपोर्ट देने के लिए केंद्र सरकार की महिला कर्मचारियों को चाइल्ड केयर लीव (CCL) जरूर लेनी चाहिए। डीओपीटी (DoPT) के नियमों के अनुसार, पूरे सेवाकाल में अधिकतम 730 दिन की सीसीएल (CCL) मिलती है। परीक्षाओं के आधार पर यह छुट्टी आसानी से स्वीकृत हो जाती है। पहले 365 दिनों के लिए 100% वेतन मिलता है, जबकि अगले 365 दिनों के लिए 80% वेतन दिया जाता है। आप एक साल में अधिकतम 3 बार (Spells) और कम से कम 5 दिनों के लिए यह छुट्टी ई-एचआरएमएस (e-HRMS) पोर्टल के माध्यम से ले सकती हैं।
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