Purpose of Study Leave
Study Leave is governed by the dedicated Study Leave provisions of the CCS (Leave) Rules. Approval depends on the proposed course/training satisfying the applicable rule and competent-authority requirements.
Maximum duration
DoPT's official leave FAQ states that, for employees other than Central Health Service officers, Study Leave is restricted to a maximum of 24 months during the entire service and is ordinarily allowed for up to 12 months at a time.
CHS officers
The same DoPT FAQ records a separate ceiling of 36 months for Central Health Service officers for acquiring postgraduate qualifications, subject to the applicable conditions.
Combining with other leave
DoPT states that Study Leave may be combined with other kinds of leave. However, the total absence when combined with leave other than Extraordinary Leave is subject to the limits prescribed in the Study Leave rules; the FAQ notes a general 28-month ceiling and a 36-month ceiling for courses leading to a PhD.
Approval comes before the course
Do not enrol or proceed on the assumption that Study Leave will later be regularised. Obtain the required departmental approval and Study Leave sanction first.
Public/service interest
The proposed study normally needs to meet the rule's service/public-interest test. A purely personal qualification does not automatically create an entitlement to Study Leave.
Documents to prepare
Keep the course offer/admission details, institution and duration, syllabus or study purpose, relevance to official duties, proposed leave dates and any undertaking or bond required by the competent authority.
After Study Leave
Comply with reporting, certificate, bond or service obligations contained in the sanction order. Preserve the sanction and completion documents in the service record.
Related guides
LTC & Leave Hub · Earned Leave · HPL & Commuted Leave · Extraordinary Leave
Official sources
Source review: 10 September 2026.