Medical Leave (Leave on Medical Certificate) is granted to Haryana Government employees when they are unable to perform duties due to illness, injury, or physical incapacity. These provisions are contained under Rule 43 of the Haryana Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 2016.
It covers the process of applying for medical leave, the required medical certification, conditions for resuming duty, and special procedures like medical board examination, hospital treatment, and fitness verification.
1️⃣ Applicability
- Applicable to all regular Haryana Government employees under Groups A, B, C, and D.
- Temporary employees may also be considered for medical leave if covered under departmental policy.
- Admissible for self-illness only, not for attending sick relatives (except under specific sanctioned conditions).
2️⃣ Types of Leave Granted on Medical Grounds
| Type of Leave | Purpose / Conditions | Rule Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Half Pay Leave (HPL) | When employee is medically unfit for duty | Rule 37–39 |
| Commuted Leave | When supported by medical certificate; full pay leave equal to 2 × HPL | Rule 40 |
| Leave Not Due (LND) | Advance leave on medical certificate when HPL is not available | Rule 42 |
| Extraordinary Leave (EOL) | When no leave balance exists or medical treatment exceeds available leave | Rule 41 |
Note: The type of leave (HPL, Commuted, or EOL) depends on the nature and duration of illness, and availability of leave balance.
3️⃣ Grant of Leave on Medical Certificate (Rule 43(1))
Conditions for Grant:
- The employee must be declared **medically unfit for duty** by an authorized medical practitioner.
- A proper **Medical Certificate (MC)** must be attached to the leave application.
- For medical leave exceeding **5 days**, the certificate must clearly state:
- Nature of illness,
- Period of treatment,
- Expected date of recovery.
- The authority granting leave must verify that the medical certificate is genuine and issued by a **competent authority**.
Competent Medical Authorities:
- Civil Surgeon or Medical Officer-in-Charge of a Government Hospital.
- Government-approved Medical Practitioner (for specific cases like specialists).
- For long-term or serious illness, the employee may be referred to a **Medical Board** for evaluation.
4️⃣ Duration and Extent of Medical Leave
- Duration of medical leave depends on:
- Nature of illness,
- Medical certificate recommendation,
- Sanctioning authority’s discretion.
- No fixed upper limit for medical leave, but it must be supported by valid medical documentation.
- Medical leave can be sanctioned as:
- HPL (Half Pay Leave),
- Commuted Leave (Full Pay),
- Extraordinary Leave (Without Pay).
Note: Long-term medical leave beyond 6 months requires certification from a Government Medical Board and higher departmental approval.
5️⃣ Medical Certificate – Format and Requirements
Mandatory Details in Medical Certificate:
- Employee’s full name, designation, and department.
- Nature and cause of illness.
- Duration of recommended rest or treatment.
- Specific date from which the employee is unfit for duty.
- Doctor’s name, registration number, signature, and date.
Rule 43(2): Medical certificate must be submitted within a reasonable time. If delay occurs, reasons should be recorded by the authority.
6️⃣ Fitness Certificate for Rejoining Duty (Rule 43(3))
- Before resuming duty after medical leave, the employee must submit a Fitness Certificate from the same or equivalent medical authority.
- The certificate should declare the employee “fit to resume duties.”
- For long-term or recurring illness, the Head of Department may refer the employee to a Medical Board for re-examination.
- Without a fitness certificate, rejoining duty is not permitted.
7️⃣ Verification and Reference to Medical Board (Rule 43(4))
- The sanctioning authority may, at any time, request an employee to appear before a Medical Board if the leave appears excessive or doubtful.
- If the employee fails to appear before the board, the leave may be refused or canceled.
- In case of permanent incapacity, the Medical Board may recommend invalid pension or retirement.
8️⃣ Hospital Leave and Quarantine Leave (Related Provisions)
Although not part of Rule 43, the Haryana Leave Rules also include special medical-related leaves under Chapter XII:
| Type | Purpose | Entitlement |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Leave | For employees injured or falling ill due to official duties (especially in Police/Health Departments) | Full pay for 120 days; half pay beyond that up to 180 days |
| Quarantine Leave | For exposure to contagious diseases like COVID, cholera, plague, etc. | Full pay for the entire quarantine period as certified by Health Authority |
9️⃣ Leave Salary and Service Benefits During Medical Leave
- During Half Pay Leave — salary is half of basic pay + DA.
- During Commuted Leave — full pay (equivalent to double HPL debit).
- During Extraordinary Leave — no pay, but service continuity may be preserved if sanctioned.
- All sanctioned medical leaves count as **qualifying service** for pension, increment, and seniority.
🔟 Important Notes & Clarifications
- Medical leave is not a right — it requires proper medical certification and sanction.
- Medical leave can be refused if certificate is doubtful or issued by unauthorized doctor.
- Medical Board evaluation is compulsory for:
- Repeated long-term illness,
- Leave exceeding 6 months,
- Permanent incapacity cases.
- Fitness certificate must specify the date of full recovery; vague terms like “fit soon” are not acceptable.
- Medical leave during vacation (for teaching staff) counts as part of vacation unless illness continues beyond it.
✅ Summary Table – Leave on Medical Certificate at a Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | All regular government employees (medical grounds) |
| Supporting Document | Medical Certificate from authorized doctor |
| Fitness Requirement | Mandatory Fitness Certificate before rejoining |
| Salary | Half Pay / Full Pay / No Pay (as per leave type) |
| Medical Board Reference | Compulsory if illness is prolonged or repeated |
| Rule Reference | Rule 43, HCS (Leave) Rules, 2016 |
FAQs on Medical Leave – Haryana Government Employees
1. How can a Haryana government employee apply for medical leave?
By submitting a leave application with a valid medical certificate issued by an authorized government doctor or civil surgeon.
2. What is the salary during medical leave?
Salary depends on the type of leave — half pay during HPL, full pay during commuted leave, and no pay during EOL.
3. Is a fitness certificate mandatory after medical leave?
Yes, employees must submit a fitness certificate before resuming duty.
4. Who can issue a medical certificate?
Government hospital doctors, civil surgeons, or authorized medical practitioners recognized by the Haryana Government.
5. Can medical leave be refused?
Yes, if the medical certificate is found false, incomplete, or issued by an unauthorized person.
6. What if illness continues beyond sanctioned leave?
The employee must submit a fresh medical certificate for extension; otherwise, the absence will be treated as unauthorized.
Conclusion
The Medical Leave Rules under Rule 43 of the Haryana Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 2016 ensure that employees get fair medical relief while maintaining accountability through certification and fitness verification. By following proper procedures, employees can safeguard their health and service benefits simultaneously.
Official Source: Finance Department, Government of Haryana