Kerala Service Rules - Part I (Paternity Leave)

Paternity Leave Details

1. Introduction and Effective Date
   Introduced under the 2009 Pay Revision, effective from 26-02-2011, as per GO(P)No.85/2011/Fin dated 26/02/2011.

2. Eligibility and Duration
   Granted to male government servants for 10 days for each of their two children at the time of their wife’s delivery.

3. Time Frame for Availing Leave
   The leave can be taken for a period of 10 days during the confinement of the employee’s wife for childbirth, i.e., up to 10 days before or up to 3 months after the date of delivery, subject to submission of a medical certificate confirming the exact date of delivery.

4. Salary and Allowances
   During the 10-day paternity leave, the employee is entitled to leave salary and allowances as admissible under Rule 92 KSR I (Earned Leave salary and allowances).

5. Combination with Other Leaves
   Paternity leave can be combined with other types of leave, except Leave Without Allowance (LWA) under Appendix XIIA, B, and C.

6. Leave Accounting
   The leave is not debited against the employee’s leave account. However, details must be recorded in the employee’s Service Book and the Register of Special Leave as per the Government Decision below Rule 106.

7. Lapse of Leave
   If not availed within the specified time limit, the paternity leave is considered lapsed.

8. Non-Combination with Casual Leave
   Paternity leave cannot be combined with casual leave, as casual leave is not recognized as a formal leave under the rules.

9. Duty Status
   The paternity leave period is reckoned as duty for all purposes, including probation, as per GO(P)No.2/2014/P&ARD dated 08/01/2014.

10. Extension to Public Sector Undertakings
    Paternity leave eligibility was extended to all permanent male employees of Public Sector Undertakings not following Kerala Service Rules, effective from 10/06/2020, vide GO(P)No.78/2020/Fin dated 10/06/2020.