Railway Board Circulars on Study Leave

Study Leave is given to government workers so that they can take a specialized course of study that is related to their job. These classes will help them become better civil servants and give them the skills they need to work with other people in public service. Study Leave is good for the government because it lets people who work for the government use their skills to do a better job. During Study Leave, a Government employee is entitled to their regular salary, Dearness Allowance, and House Rent Allowance. Study Allowance may also be given for classes taken outside of India, based on the Rules.

On December 29, 2022, the Railway Board of the Ministry of Railways issued an important clarifying order, the wording of which is reproduced and provided below for your convenience.

RBE No. 171/2022

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No 2011/F(E)III/2(2)/3

New Delhi, Dated: 29.12.2022

The General Managers/Principal Financial Advisers,
All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc.,
DGs of RDSO and NAIR.

Sub: Study Leave Rules – Clarification reg.

In terms of Rule 14 of the Study Leave Rules contained in Appendix -V of the Indian Railway Establishment Code (IREC) Vol-I(1985-Edition), if a Railway servant resigns or retires from service or otherwise quits service without returning to duty after a period of study leave or within a period of three years (eight years in the case of Railway Medical Service Officer who has been granted thirty-six months study leave under sub-rule (2) of rule (2)) after such return to duty, he shall be required to refund;

(i) the actual amount of leave salary, cost of fees, traveling and other expenses, if any, incurred by the Railways; and

(ii) the actual amount, if any, of the cost incurred by other agencies such as foreign Governments, Foundations, and Trusts in connection with the course of study, together with interest thereon at rates for the time being in force on Government loans, from the date of demand, from his resignation is accepted or permission, to retire is granted or his quitting service otherwise.

2. In this regard, references have been received from various Railways seeking the details of the “Government Loan”, the rate of interest of which is to be considered for charging the interest on the actual amount to be refunded by the Railway servant. Since DoP&T is the nodal Department on CCS(Leave) Rules, the matter was referred to them, who in turn asked M/o Railways to consult D/o Expenditure (M/o Finance).

3. After such due consultation, Board (MF & CRB) have considered the matter and decided as follows :

(i) The ‘Advances’ admissible to Government employees will be taken as ‘Government Loan’ as provided in Rule 14 of the Study Leave Rules contained in Appendix-V of IREC Vol I.

and

(ii) The highest rate of interest prevailing on a specific Advance at the relevant time will be taken as the ‘rate of interest’ for calculating the dues recoverable under Rule 14 of the Study Leave Rules.

sd/-
(G. Priya Sudarsani)
Director, Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board