DoPT’s Latest Instructions on Study Leave for AIS Officers on Central Deputation

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Personnel & Training has issued new instructions on 18th September 2024, with regard to the Office Memorandum (OM) dated 14th July 2008. These new guidelines provide further clarity for All India Services (AIS) officers on Central Deputation during study leave.

Key highlights of the latest instructions are:

1. Leave Salary During Study Leave: It was observed that some AIS officers’ Central Deputation tenure ends during their study leave, which causes issues with drawing their leave salary. To resolve this:
   • The salary for AIS officers on study leave, up to the end of their Central Deputation tenure, will be borne by the Central Government.
   • For the period of study leave that extends beyond the officer’s Central Deputation, the leave salary will be the responsibility of the respective State Government or Cadre.
2. State Cadre’s Role in Study Leave: When the respective State Governments provide concurrence for study leave, they must also confirm that they will bear the salary for the period beyond the officer’s Central Deputation tenure.
3. Ex-India Study Leave: AIS officers are now allowed to take an additional 15 days of ex-India study leave for pre-course or post-course formalities. This leave can be taken in parts or in full, either before the start or after the end of the study course abroad, and must be clearly mentioned when submitting the application for ex-India study leave.

These instructions build upon the 2008 OM, clarifying the division of financial responsibility for officers’ leave salary and outlining the process for additional ex-India study leave.

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Key Points from the OM Issued on 14th July 2008

The Office Memorandum (OM) issued by the Ministry on 14th July 2008 outlines the regulations regarding the study leave of AIS officers on Central Deputation, particularly those serving under the Central Staffing Scheme or as Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) in Public Sector Undertakings. Key guidelines include:

1. Grant of Study Leave:
   • Ministries and Departments of the Central Government have the authority to grant study leave within India, provided they obtain prior consent from the officer’s parent State Cadre.
2. Authority for Ex-India Study Leave:
   • The power to grant study leave abroad is vested with the respective Cadre Controlling Authorities in the Central Government, such as the Department of Personnel & Training (for IAS officers), Ministry of Home Affairs (for IPS officers), and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (for IFS officers).
3. Eligibility for Study Leave:
   • AIS officers are not permitted to take long-term study leave until they have completed at least two years of Central Deputation.
4. Approval Procedure:
   • For study leave within India, while prior concurrence from the Cadre Controlling Authorities is not required, approval from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) is necessary.
   • For study leave abroad, concurrence from both the respective Cadre Controlling Authority and DoPT is required.
5. Reversion to Parent Cadre:
   • Upon completion of the study leave, the AIS officers will automatically revert to their parent cadre.

The 2008 OM lays down the groundwork for granting study leave, both within India and abroad, and the necessary approvals required for AIS officers serving on Central Deputation.

Click here to view DoPT’s letter