Amendment to Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972: Embracing Surrogacy. Download CCS Leave (Amendment) Rules 2024 in PDF.
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, through the Department of Personnel and Training, has introduced significant amendments to the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972. These amendments, effective from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, mark a progressive step towards accommodating the needs of government servants involved in surrogacy arrangements.
Key Amendments Overview:
Maternity Leave for Surrogacy:
- In cases involving surrogacy, both the surrogate mother and the commissioning mother (provided she has less than two surviving children) who are government servants are eligible for maternity leave of 180 days. This amendment recognizes the unique circumstances of surrogacy and aims to support both the birth mother and the intending mother comprehensively.
Paternity Leave for Surrogacy:
- A commissioning father who is a male government servant and has less than two surviving children may avail paternity leave of 15 days within six months from the date of the child's delivery. This provision acknowledges the role of commissioning fathers in the surrogacy process and grants them essential leave benefits to bond with their newborn child.
Child Care Leave for Commissioning Mother:
- The amendment allows the commissioning mother (intending mother) with less than two surviving children to avail child care leave in cases of surrogacy. This provision ensures that commissioning mothers can care for and nurture their child born through surrogacy, aligning with the principles of family welfare and support.
Definitions Clarified:
- The amendment provides clear definitions for terms crucial to understanding these rules:
- Commissioning Mother: The intending mother of the child born through surrogacy.
- Surrogate Mother: The woman who carries the child on behalf of the commissioning mother.
- Commissioning Father: The intending father of the child born through surrogacy.
These definitions clarify the roles and responsibilities under the amended rules, ensuring consistency and clarity in their application across government services.
Conclusion:
The amendments to the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 represent a significant stride towards inclusivity and support for government servants navigating surrogacy arrangements. By extending maternity, paternity, and child care leave benefits to those involved in surrogacy, the government has demonstrated its commitment to promoting family-friendly policies and accommodating diverse family structures within the civil services.
This progressive approach not only enhances the welfare of government employees but also sets a precedent for inclusivity and support in public service policies. It is a testament to the evolving understanding of family dynamics and the government's responsiveness to the changing needs of its workforce.
For more detailed information, the full text of the amended rules can be accessed via the Official Gazette or the Ministry's official channels.
Source:
- Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, Notification G.S.R. 331(E) dated 18th June 2024.
This amendment reaffirms the government's commitment to fostering a supportive and equitable workplace environment while upholding the principles of fairness and compassion in governance.
