The Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2016 specify how different kinds of leave and suspension periods affect the calculation of pension and gratuity. According to Rules 28 and 29, only certain types of leave and suspension periods count as qualifying service. These provisions ensure fairness while discouraging unauthorized absence or misconduct during service.
1️⃣ Rule 28 – Service That Does Not Count Towards Pension
Before learning what is admissible, Rule 28 clearly lists the periods that do not qualify for pension:
- Service before the employee attains the age of 18 years.
- Service paid from contingencies or work-charged establishment, unless later declared pensionable.
- Service on daily wages, ad-hoc or contract basis not followed by regular appointment.
- Service forfeited by:
- Dismissal or removal,
- Resignation (unless to take another qualifying post),
- Breaks in service not condoned by competent authority.
- Periods of unauthorized absence or “dies non.”
These restrictions ensure that only genuine government service rendered under lawful authority counts for pension.
2️⃣ Rule 29 – Counting of Leave Periods for Pension
1. Leave With Pay
- All leave with pay (earned leave, half-pay leave, maternity leave, commuted leave, etc.) counts fully as qualifying service.
- During these leaves, the employee continues to draw pay from government funds and is considered on duty for pension purposes.
2. Leave Without Pay (Extraordinary Leave – EOL)
- Extraordinary Leave (EOL) or leave without pay does not automatically count for pension.
- However, it may count if the **competent authority** expressly declares so at the time of sanction.
- EOL counts for pension when:
- It is granted for illness, higher studies, or reasons beyond the employee’s control, and
- The authority passes written orders allowing it to count for pension.
3. Leave Periods Not Counting for Pension
- Unauthorized absence or overstay after expiry of sanctioned leave, if not regularized.
- Leave treated as “dies non” under conduct rules.
- Any portion of EOL not approved to count by competent authority.
3️⃣ Counting of Suspension Period for Pension
1. When Suspension Counts
- Suspension counts as qualifying service only when:
- The employee is fully exonerated in departmental or judicial proceedings, and
- The suspension period is treated as “duty for all purposes” by the competent authority.
- If the suspension period is treated as “leave” (half pay or EOL), then it counts only to that extent.
2. When Suspension Does Not Count
- If the employee is found guilty or awarded punishment after inquiry.
- If the period is treated as “not duty” or “dies non.”
- If pay and allowances for that period are not admitted for pension purposes.
Note: Suspension followed by compulsory retirement or dismissal does not count for pension.
4️⃣ Verification & Certification of Leave and Suspension Periods
- The Head of Office must record in the Service Book whether each period of leave or suspension counts for pension.
- Certificates must be based on leave sanction records and orders issued by the competent authority.
- No pension case can be finalized unless all leave and suspension entries are verified and certified before retirement.
✅ Quick Reference Table – Counting Rules at a Glance
| Type of Period | Condition for Counting | Counts for Pension? |
|---|---|---|
| Earned Leave, HPL, Maternity Leave, etc. | Leave with pay sanctioned by authority. | ✅ Yes (Full) |
| Extraordinary Leave (EOL) | Only if declared to count for pension by authority. | ⚠️ Conditional |
| Unauthorized Leave / Dies Non | No authority sanction or treated as misconduct. | ❌ No |
| Suspension (exonerated) | Treated as “duty for all purposes.” | ✅ Yes |
| Suspension (penalized) | Not treated as duty; pay disallowed. | ❌ No |
| Leave Before Age 18 | Service not qualifying until 18 years age attained. | ❌ No |
5️⃣ Example – How Leave & Suspension Affect Pension
Case Example:
| Period | Nature | Status | Counts? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01.01.1995 – 31.12.2024 | Total Service | 30 years | - |
| Jan–Feb 2005 | Earned Leave | With Pay | Yes |
| Mar–May 2008 | Extraordinary Leave | Allowed to count | Yes |
| Jan–Feb 2013 | Suspension | Treated as duty | Yes |
| Aug 2019 | Unauthorized Leave | Treated as dies non | No |
➡️ Total qualifying service = 30 years – 1 month (unauthorized) = 29 years 11 months counted for pension.
FAQs – Leave & Suspension Period for Pension
1. Does extraordinary leave always count for pension?
No. EOL counts only when the competent authority declares it to do so for specific cases like illness or higher studies.
2. Can leave without pay be regularized later for pension?
Yes, if the authority retrospectively orders that it shall count as qualifying service.
3. Does suspension count if an employee is acquitted?
Yes. If the suspension period is treated as “duty for all purposes,” it counts fully.
4. What if suspension is treated as ‘leave without pay’?
Then it will count only to the extent the leave (EOL or half-pay) is allowed to count for pension.
5. Who verifies leave records for pension?
The Head of Office verifies them from the Leave Account, Service Book, and suspension orders before forwarding the pension case.
Conclusion
Under Rules 28 and 29 of the Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules 2016, only properly sanctioned leave and suspension treated as duty contribute to qualifying service for pension. Unauthorized absence, unapproved EOL, or disciplinary suspensions do not count. Accurate verification and proper record maintenance by the Head of Office are essential to ensure fair and timely pension benefits for employees.
Source: Official Haryana Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2016 – Finance Department, Government of Haryana.