Central Govt employees to get 42-day special casual leave for organ donation

The Central Government has introduced a new policy allowing employees to avail up to 42 days of Special Casual Leave for organ donation.

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The decision, taken by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, recognises the substantial recovery time required after organ donation surgery.

The order by DoPT was issued on April 23, 2024, and published on January 4, 2025, and came into effect from the date of its issue.

Earlier, Special Casual Leave was capped at 30 days in a calendar year under the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972. This new measure provides a significant increase, acknowledging the demanding nature of the procedure and the selfless act of donation.

This extended leave is based on the recommendation of a government-registered medical practitioner. The leave is available to all living donors who have been duly approved for donation by a government-registered medical practitioner, in accordance with the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.

This Special Casual Leave cannot be combined with any other leave, except in exceptional circumstances involving post-operative complications, as recommended by a government-registered medical practitioner.

The leave should ideally be taken in one continuous stretch, starting from the day of hospital admission. However, it can begin up to one week prior to the surgery if recommended by a government-registered medical practitioner. Flexibility in splitting the leave may also be permitted based on medical recommendations.