Single Fathers Now Eligible For Child Care Leave, Announces Ministry

Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions of India Jitender Singh announced that women and single fathers who are government workers qualify for up to 730 days of childcare leave.

The Announcement

In response to a written query in the Lok Sabha, Minister stated that 'Female government employees and single male government employees engaged in civil services and roles associated with Union affairs can avail child care leave (CCL) as per Rule 43-C of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972.

This leave can be taken for a total duration of up to seven hundred and thirty days throughout their entire service. Its purpose is to care for the two eldest surviving children until they reach the age of 18 years. Furthermore, there is no age restriction when it comes to caring for a differently-abled child.'

Existing Law And The Changes That Will Follow

The move indicates a shift from the traditional perspective of women being primarily responsible for child care, now allowing an unmarried, widower or divorcee male government employee to be solely responsible for the child too. 

Women are already eligible for the 730-day CCL and 180 days of maternity leave according to a law passed by the Parliament in 2017. While male employees can avail of a 15-day paternity leave. 

As entitled by an order passed earlier this month, the Department of Personnel and Training allows single mothers to avail of CCL over six spells across the year as compared to the three for the general public. The amendment was made in accordance with Rule 43(C) of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972. 

Though in a new set of rules, the DoPT has introduced a pay cut for half of the 730 days leaves determined. Previously, the regulation necessitated the recipient to receive a leave salary matching the payment received just before taking the leave. However, the revised rule grants the beneficiary 100% of their salary for the initial 365 days and 80% for the subsequent 365 days.

The recent decision made is in line with the recommendations made in the Seventh Pay Commission which had earlier mentioned that, in case, a male is a single parent the responsibility of a child solely lies on his shoulders.

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