Last Updated: June 2026
The Himachal Pradesh Government has restored full salary benefits for state government employees availing study leave for higher education. The decision reverses a 2024 amendment that had restricted leave salary to 40% of an employee’s pay while continuing Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA).
The restoration was announced during the presentation of the Himachal Pradesh Budget 2026–27 and subsequently approved by the state cabinet through amendments to Rule 56 of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, as adopted by the state. Under the revised provisions, eligible employees will receive full salary along with admissible allowances during approved study leave.
The policy applies to employees pursuing higher education, professional qualifications, and specialised academic programmes while remaining in government service.
Timeline of Key Developments
|
Date |
Status |
Development |
|
August 7, 2024 |
Historical |
Amendment reducing study leave salary notified |
|
August 9, 2024 |
Historical |
Notification published in e-Gazette |
|
2024 |
Historical |
Study leave approval powers shifted to Finance Department |
|
2024–25 |
Historical |
Legal challenge filed before the High Court |
|
Budget 2026–27 |
Confirmed |
Full salary restoration announced |
|
2026 Cabinet Approval |
Confirmed |
Amendment approved |
|
Arrear Payment Schedule |
Awaiting Notification |
Detailed implementation timeline not yet notified |
Revised Study Leave Benefits
|
Particulars |
Current Provision |
|
Salary During Study Leave |
100% of salary |
|
Dearness Allowance (DA) |
Payable |
|
House Rent Allowance (HRA) |
Payable |
|
Retrospective Relief |
Available to eligible employees |
|
Employee Undertaking |
Required |
|
Scholarship/Stipend Restrictions |
Applicable |
Background: The 2024 Amendment
In August 2024, the Himachal Pradesh Finance Department amended the study leave provisions under Rule 56 of the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972. The amendment formed part of measures introduced during a period of fiscal pressure.
Under the revised framework, employees proceeding on study leave for up to 24 months became eligible for only 40% of the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave. Full DA and HRA continued to be admissible.
The government also centralized study leave approvals by transferring sanctioning authority to the Finance Department. However, Allopathy doctors pursuing higher or specialised medical education at recognised institutions in India or abroad continued to receive full salary during study leave.
Comparison of Old and New Provisions
|
Provision |
2024 Rules |
Revised Rules |
|
Basic Salary |
40% of Pay |
100% of Pay |
|
DA |
Full |
Full |
|
HRA |
Full |
Full |
|
Retrospective Relief |
Not Available |
Available |
|
Employee Benefit Level |
Reduced |
Restored |
High Court Proceedings
The amendment was challenged before the Himachal Pradesh High Court by employees affected by the revised provisions.
One of the cases involved a Labour Inspector whose study leave had been sanctioned before the 2024 amendment came into force. The court held that the amended provisions could not be applied retrospectively to withdraw benefits already granted under the earlier rules.
Following the judgment, the Directorate of Higher Education clarified that the reduced salary provisions would apply only to employees proceeding on study leave on or after August 7, 2024.
Verification Note: Readers seeking legal details should refer to CWP No. 14496 of 2024 and related departmental clarifications.
Retrospective Relief for Employees
The revised policy also provides relief to employees who availed study leave during the period when the 2024 provisions were in force.
According to government announcements, eligible employees who received reduced salary under the earlier framework will be entitled to receive the remaining balance amount due to them. Detailed disbursement procedures and timelines should be verified through subsequent government notifications.
Conditions for Receiving Full Salary
Employees seeking full salary benefits during study leave must furnish an undertaking stating that they are not receiving:
- Scholarships
- Fellowships
- Stipends
- Remuneration from part-time employment
- Similar forms of financial assistance related to their studies
Compliance with these conditions is required under the revised framework.
Policy Context
Study leave provisions enable government employees to pursue academic qualifications and professional training without leaving public service. Such provisions are commonly used to support capacity building, specialised learning, and workforce development across departments.
The restoration of full salary alters the financial conditions under which employees can undertake higher education and may affect participation in approved study programmes.
Safety and Verification Advisory
Readers should verify all updates through official government sources.
- Use only official government notifications and gazette publications.
- Do not rely solely on social media posts or forwarded messages.
- Never share OTPs, passwords, or personal credentials with unknown individuals.
- Be cautious of anyone claiming to secure approvals or payments in exchange for money.
- Verify arrear-payment instructions through authorised government channels.
Official Sources
This article is based on information available from:
- Himachal Pradesh Budget 2026–27 Speech
- Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Decisions
- Finance Department notifications relating to study leave
- Directorate of Higher Education clarifications
- Himachal Pradesh High Court judgment in CWP No. 14496 of 2024
- CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972
Source Transparency Note: Notification numbers, circular references, and implementation orders should be verified from the latest official publications before relying on the provisions for administrative purposes.
Conclusion
The Himachal Pradesh Government has restored full salary benefits for eligible employees on study leave, replacing the 2024 framework that limited leave salary to 40% of pay for most employees. The revised provisions also extend relief to employees affected by the earlier policy, subject to applicable conditions and implementation guidelines.
Employees planning to avail study leave should consult the latest government notifications, departmental circulars, and gazette publications for confirmation of eligibility, arrear payments, and procedural requirements.
Editorial Disclaimer
This article is based on government announcements, budget documents, court records, and departmental communications available as of June 2026. Rules, implementation procedures, and payment timelines may be revised through subsequent notifications. In case of any discrepancy, official government orders, gazette publications, and departmental circulars shall prevail.