Maternity, Miscarriage & Hysterectomy Leave [Rule 100]

Leave Provisions

1. Maternity Leave [Rule 100]
   A competent authority may grant maternity leave on full pay to a female officer for 180 days from the date of commencement. This applies to:

   • Permanent female officers.

   • Temporary female officers [Rule 100, Note:1].

   • Female candidates undergoing pre-appointment stipendiary training, on the full rate of stipend [Note:3].

   • Provisional female recruits continuing in service in a single department beyond one year, provided they would continue in service but for proceeding on such leave [Note:4].

   • Female officers appointed on a contract basis, for up to 180 days or until the expiry of the existing contract, whichever is earlier [GO(P) No.2/2021/Fin dated 04/01/2021].

   • Supernumerary employees appointed under the Compassionate Employment Scheme, for 180 days [GO(Ms) No.1/2022/P&ARD dated 18/01/2022].

2. Maternity Leave for Female Recruits Joining Post-Delivery [Note:5]
   Female recruits through the Public Service Commission who join duty within 180 days from their date of delivery (other than due to miscarriage) shall be granted the balance portion of maternity leave admissible from the next day of joining, subject to:

   • Holidays or vacations immediately following the joining date cannot be prefixed to the leave.

   • Submission of a certificate from the medical officer who attended the delivery, indicating the date of delivery, along with a medical certificate of health as prescribed in Rule 13, Part I of Kerala Service Rules.

3. Maternity Leave for Officers with New Appointments [Note:6]
   Female officers on maternity leave who secure appointments in another department or the same department (via direct recruitment, transfer, or promotion) may avail the balance portion of maternity leave from the next day of joining the new post or department, subject to:

   • The maximum leave period, including intervening holidays and vacations across both departments or posts, shall not exceed 180 days.

4. Combination with Other Leave [Rule 102]
   Maternity leave may be combined with other types of leave, but any leave applied for in continuation of maternity leave requires a medical certificate, except for leave not exceeding 60 days.

5. Miscarriage Leave [Rule 101]
   Female officers are eligible for miscarriage leave (including abortion) for up to 6 weeks, subject to:

   • Submission of a certificate from the medical attendant.

   • Extension to contract-based female officers for up to 6 weeks or until the expiry of the existing contract, whichever is earlier [GO(P) No.2/2021/Fin dated 04/01/2021].

6. Hysterectomy Leave [Rule 101A]
   Female officers are eligible for hysterectomy leave for up to 45 days, provided the application is supported by a certificate from the medical attendant.

7. Leave as Duty for Probation
   Maternity Leave [Rule 100], Miscarriage Leave [Rule 101], and Hysterectomy Leave [Rule 101A] are reckoned as duty for all purposes, including probation [KS&SSR, Part-I, Rule 2(6)(g), Amendment(Second) 2024 vide G.O.(P)No.6/2024/P&ARD dated 23/09/2024].