Government of Sikkim has launched a Sabbatical Leave Scheme for its regular and temporary government employees, making it the first state in India to formally implement such a policy.
Introduced in August 2023, the scheme allows eligible employees to take a break from service for a period ranging from one year to three years, while receiving 50% of their basic pay during the leave period.
The initiative reflects Sikkim’s commitment to progressive workforce policies and aims to support employees in pursuing personal development, higher education, entrepreneurial ventures, and other life goals without compromising job security.
Sikkim Sabbatical Leave Policy: Eligibility and Scope of the Scheme
The scheme is open to regular government employees who have completed at least five years of continuous service.
In a later expansion, the government extended the benefit to temporary employees with a minimum of six months of service, significantly broadening its reach across departments.
Employees availing sabbatical leave will retain their seniority status and continue to be governed by the Sikkim Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1981, along with other applicable service regulations.
Importantly, the government reserves the right to recall employees from sabbatical leave with a one-month notice, ensuring administrative flexibility.
Approved Purposes for Sabbatical Leave
According to the official notification issued by the Department of Personnel, sabbatical leave may be granted for a wide range of purposes, including:
- Pursuing higher education or skill development
- Launching entrepreneurial ventures
- Engaging in artistic or literary pursuits
- Addressing familial or health obligations
- Joining a spouse posted elsewhere
- Exploring hobbies, wellness retreats, or philanthropic activities
This broad scope reflects the government’s recognition of evolving employee needs and the importance of work-life balance in public service.
Decentralized Approval Mechanism
To streamline the application process, the Sikkim government amended its administrative protocol in April 2025.
Under the revised system:
- Heads of Departments can approve sabbatical leave for Group C and D employees, including temporary staff
- Group A and B employees must route their applications through the Secretary of the Personnel Department
This decentralization is expected to reduce delays and improve access to the scheme across various levels of government employment.
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