🟦 Difference between Extraordinary Leave (EOL) and Earned Leave (EL)
📌 Extraordinary Leave (EOL)
Definition & Rule Basis:
- Under Fundamental Rule 85(A), when no other leave is left in an employee’s account, and special circumstances arise, one can apply in writing for Extraordinary Leave (EOL).
- During this leave, no salary or allowances are given.
Key Points:
- If it’s for personal reasons, a maximum of 3 years counts for pension qualifying service. More than that, it’s not counted for pension.
- If it’s due to medical grounds, it qualifies for pension benefits and annual increments.
- For EOL that goes over 6 months, you need permission from C&DSE first.
- If EOL goes beyond 6 months due to departmental constraints, you need Government approval.
During Suspension:
- If your suspension period is covered by EOL, it counts for increments and pension purposes.
- This is mentioned in GO Ms No. 307, Finance (FR.2) Department, dated 03.12.2012, which adjusted Sub-Rules (5) and (7) of FR-54.
EOL for Foreign Employment:
- Government workers with 5 years of service can seek work abroad with EOL up to 5 years (in single or multiple stretches).
- See: G.O.Ms.No.214 Finance & Planning, dated: 03.09.1996
🟩 Earned Leave (EL)
Rule Basis:
- Comes under Rules 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17 & 20 of the AP Leave Rules, 1933.
Key Points:
- Employees earn EL during periods of duty or while on eligible leave.
- Permanent employees get 30 days each year.
- For teachers, it’s 6 days a year (split as 3 days on both January 1st & July 1st) according to G.O.Ms.No.317, dated: 15.09.1994.
- Single days of EL can be granted by the concerned DDO if no CL or HPL remains.
- You can keep up to 300 days (Look at: G.O.Ms.No.232, dated: 16.09.2005).
- Max you can take at one time is 180 days (Check: G.O.Ms.No.153, dated: 04.05.2010).
⚖️ Frequently Asked Question
Q: If the suspension period turns into Extraordinary Leave, will it count for increments and pension eligibility?
Answer:
- Yes. When suspended, and then set back to work, the Competent Authority might say the suspension time should be regularized using eligible leave.
- If you don’t have EL or HPL, then you must take EOL (on loss of pay).
- Even though EOL doesn’t typically count towards increments, it’s an exception if it’s during the suspension time.
- As per the details in GO Ms No. 307, Finance (FR.2) Department, dated: 03.12.2012, in these scenarios, the whole EOL time counts for both increment & pension calculations.
✅ Summary Table:
| Feature | Extraordinary Leave (EOL) | Earned Leave (EL) |
|---|---|---|
| Rule | FR 85(A), FR-54 amendments | APLR Rules 1933 – Rules 8 to 20 |
| Eligibility | When no other leave is available | Automatically earned during duty/leave |
| With Pay? | ❌ No pay | ✅ Full pay |
| Counts for Pension? | ✅ Yes (if on medical grounds or for suspension period) | ✅ Yes |
| Counts for Increment? | ❌ No (unless medical or suspension-based EOL) | ✅ Yes |
| Max Limit | 3 years for pensionable; up to 5 years for foreign employment | 300 days max accumulation |
| Usage | Only in exceptional conditions | Regular leave with administrative approval |
| Sanctioning Authority | Higher authority / Govt approval (based on duration) | DDO or Head of Department |
| Suspension Period EOL Impact | Counts for pension & increment (as per GO Ms No. 307/2012) | Not applicable |
