Central Government Employees to Receive Extended Leave for Organ Donation

The Central Government has announced a new policy granting up to 42 days of Special Casual Leave to employees who donate organs. This decision, made in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, recognizes the substantial recovery time required after organ donation surgery. This OM was issued on April 23, 2024 and published on January 4, 2025 and has come into effect from the date of its issue.

Previously, 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.

Key Provisions of the New Policy

Central Government employees can now avail up to 42 days of Special Casual Leave for organ donation, regardless of the type of organ donated. 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.

Treatment related to organ donation should preferably be conducted in an “Authorized Hospital,” defined as a Government Hospital or a Private Hospital empanelled under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). If treatment is received in a private hospital not empanelled under CGHS due to the unavailability of an authorized hospital in the area, a medical certificate duly certified by the concerned Head of Department of the Hospital is mandatory.

These orders are applicable to Government employees appointed to civil services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union of India, as per Rule 2 of the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972.

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