Study Leave Rules 2026: 24 Months Paid Leave & Bond Penalty Guide

Updated: 25 January 2026 | Applies: Central Govt Employees

For Central Government employees looking to upgrade their skills (e.g., MBA, PhD, or specialized technical courses), Study Leave is a powerful tool. Under CCS (Leave) Rules, you can take a break from work for up to 2 years while still earning your Basic Salary.

Eligibility Criteria (2026)

Not everyone can claim this leave. Strict filters apply:

• Minimum Service: Must have completed 5 Years of regular service (including probation).
• Residual Service: Must have at least 3 Years of service left after returning from leave.
• Linkage: The course must be directly related to your work or public interest (e.g., IT, Law, Finance).
• Sanctioning Authority: Needs Ministry/Department approval (not just Head of Office).

Salary Status: What Do You Get?

While on Study Leave, your payout changes:

Maximum Duration

• Normal Limit: 24 Months (in entire career).
• Medical Officers (Central Health Service): 36 Months (for PG degree).
• Combination: Can be combined with EL/HPL, but total absence cannot exceed 28 months generally.