Casual Leave (CL) and Special Casual Leave (SCL) are short-term leaves granted to Haryana Government employees for personal or official reasons such as emergencies, social obligations, sports, blood donation, etc. These leaves are not part of earned or half-pay leave and do not affect leave balance or service continuity.
As per the Haryana Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 2016 — Rule 73–75 — casual leave is a privilege granted to government employees to attend urgent personal matters without disrupting official duties.
1️⃣ What is Casual Leave (CL)?
Casual Leave is short-duration leave granted to employees for personal, private, or urgent matters. It is not earned leave but is given at the discretion of the competent authority.
Key Features:
- It is not earned but granted yearly as per Government instructions.
- It does not accumulate or carry forward to the next calendar year.
- The period of casual leave is treated as duty for all purposes (no break in service).
- Holidays may be prefixed or suffixed with CL, provided the total absence does not exceed the prescribed limit.
2️⃣ Casual Leave Entitlement (General Rule)
| Category of Employee | Casual Leave Entitlement (per calendar year) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Government Employees (Non-Vacation Staff) | 8 to 12 days | As per department instructions and workload. |
| Teachers and Vacation Staff | 8 days | Separate summer/winter vacations are already available. |
| Part-time or Daily Wagers | Not eligible by default | May be allowed as per departmental instructions. |
Note: The number of CL days may vary by department — e.g., Education, Police, and Health Departments issue separate circulars fixing annual entitlement.
3️⃣ Grant and Conditions of Casual Leave
- CL is sanctioned by the competent authority (Head of Office/Department).
- Cannot be combined with:
- Earned Leave (EL)
- Half Pay Leave (HPL)
- Commuted Leave
- Extraordinary Leave (EOL)
- May be prefixed or suffixed with holidays or Sundays, provided total absence does not exceed 10 days at a stretch.
- If an employee remains absent for more than the sanctioned CL period, the excess period is treated as Extraordinary Leave (EOL) or unauthorized absence.
4️⃣ Record of Casual Leave
Casual Leave is maintained separately from other leave accounts. It does not appear in the official leave account registers like Earned or Half Pay Leave.
- Every department maintains a Casual Leave Register.
- Unavailed CL at the end of the year automatically lapses.
5️⃣ Special Casual Leave (SCL) – Rule 75
Special Casual Leave is an additional short-term leave granted to employees for specific purposes such as social welfare, sports, medical donations, and participation in recognized events.
Purpose and Conditions for SCL:
| Purpose | Maximum Duration | Eligibility / Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Participation in Sports / Cultural Events | Up to 30 days in a calendar year | For employees selected to represent Haryana or India in official tournaments; treated as duty. |
| Blood Donation / Organ Donation | Up to 1 day (Blood) / 5 days (Organ) | Allowed on production of certificate from authorized medical authority. |
| Family Welfare / Sterilization Operations | 6 days for men, 14 days for women | For sterilization under Family Welfare Programme; additional 7 days for post-operative complications. |
| Attendance at Union/Association Meetings (if recognized) | Actual period of meeting + journey time | Only for recognized employee associations, with prior sanction. |
| Natural Calamity or Relief Work | Up to 10 days | For employees volunteering in relief operations with official permission. |
| Election Duty / Voting | 1 day | If the employee’s workplace is away from the polling station. |
Key Rules for SCL:
- Sanctioned by the same authority as Casual Leave.
- SCL does not affect CL balance.
- Cannot be combined with Earned or Half Pay Leave.
- Treated as duty for all purposes — counts for service, increment, and pension.
6️⃣ Important Notes & Clarifications
- Casual Leave should not normally exceed 10 days at a time including holidays.
- Half-day CL may be allowed where office timings permit.
- CL cannot be combined with joining time or other regular leave.
- Overstay after sanctioned CL period is treated as unauthorized absence.
- Special Casual Leave for blood donation or sterilization requires a valid certificate.
- In exceptional cases, government may grant additional CL/SCL by special order.
7️⃣ Summary Table – Casual & Special Casual Leave at a Glance
| Leave Type | Duration | Eligibility | Pay Status | Carry Forward |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual Leave (CL) | 8–12 days per year | All regular employees | Full Pay | No |
| Special Casual Leave (SCL) | Varies (1–30 days) | Employees fulfilling specific criteria | Full Pay | No |
FAQs on Casual Leave and Special Casual Leave – Haryana Government
1. How many days of casual leave can Haryana government employees take?
Generally, 8 to 12 days per calendar year are allowed, depending on department rules.
2. Can casual leave be combined with earned or half pay leave?
No, CL cannot be combined with earned, half pay, or extraordinary leave.
3. Is casual leave carried forward to the next year?
No, unavailed casual leave lapses automatically at the end of the calendar year.
4. What is special casual leave?
Special Casual Leave (SCL) is granted for specific purposes like sports participation, blood donation, sterilization, or social service.
5. Does special casual leave affect earned leave balance?
No, SCL is independent and does not affect any other leave account.
6. Is casual leave treated as duty?
Yes, CL and SCL are treated as duty for all service benefits, increments, and pension.
Conclusion
The Casual Leave and Special Casual Leave Rules under the Haryana Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 2016 ensure that government employees can attend personal, social, or welfare activities without affecting their service record. With flexible provisions and full pay, CL and SCL offer work-life balance while maintaining professional responsibilities.
Official Source: Finance Department, Government of Haryana