The Central Government has introduced a new policy granting employees up to 42 days of Special Casual Leave for organ donation, recognizing the substantial recovery time required after surgery. The decision, issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on April 23, 2024, and published on January 4, 2025, took effect immediately upon issuance.
Previously, Special Casual Leave was limited to 30 days per calendar year under the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972. The new measure increases this duration significantly, acknowledging the challenging nature of organ donation and the selfless act of contributing to others’ lives.
This extended leave is available to living donors approved by a government-registered medical practitioner in accordance with the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994. It requires a recommendation from a medical professional and cannot be combined with other forms of leave, except under exceptional circumstances involving post-operative complications, as specified by the doctor.
The leave should be taken in a continuous block, starting from the day of hospital admission. However, it can begin up to one week before the surgery if advised by a government-registered medical practitioner. In some cases, the leave may be split based on medical recommendations.
The new policy applies to all central government employees who donate organs such as a kidney, part of the liver, or a portion of the pancreas, as these organs can regenerate or sustain bodily functions after donation. The leave is irrespective of the type of surgery performed for the organ removal.
Dr. Anil Kumar, Chief of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), confirmed that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued the orders, which have been published on the NOTTO website to raise awareness. The measure aims to support living organ donors in their recovery and encourage more individuals to consider organ donation as an act of compassion.
