Paternity Leave

 

GURU’S DAILY INSIGHT  - Paternity Leave

DOPT Notifications: A-24011/21/2023-ESTT-Leave, dated 18.06.2024 & 11012/1/2009-Estt. (L), dated 01.12.2009

Eligibility & Duration
• A male Government servant (including an apprentice) with less than two surviving children may be granted Paternity Leave by the competent authority.
• Duration: 15 days, which can be availed:
o Up to 15 days before childbirth, or
o Within 6 months from the date of delivery.
• If not availed within this period, the leave shall lapse.

Paternity Leave for Childbirth (Including Surrogacy)
• In case of a child born through natural birth or surrogacy, the leave conditions remain the same.
• A commissioning father (i.e., the intending father of a child born through surrogacy) is also eligible for 15 days of Paternity Leave, within 6 months from the date of delivery.
Paternity Leave for Child Adoption
• A male Government servant (including an apprentice) with less than two surviving children, may avail 15 days of Paternity Leave upon:
o Accepting a child in pre-adoption foster care, or
o Valid adoption of a child below the age of one year.
• If the pre-adoption foster care does not lead to a valid adoption, the leave already availed shall be debited from other available leave.

Pay & Allowances During Paternity Leave
• The Government servant shall be paid leave salary equal to the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave.
Combination with Other Leave
• Paternity Leave can be combined with any other kind of leave.
Leave Account & Lapse
• Paternity Leave shall not be debited against the leave account.
• If not availed within the specified period, the leave shall lapse.
Granting of Paternity Leave
• Paternity Leave shall not normally be refused under any circumstances.

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