In a landmark reform, the Sikkim government has become the first in India to implement a formal Sabbatical Leave policy, offering regular and temporary employees extended leave of up to 1,080 days with partial pay and job continuity.
Introduced in August 2023, the policy allows eligible state employees to take long-term leave while receiving 50% of their basic pay. It also safeguards seniority and includes a one-month recall clause to ensure administrative stability.
The move has been widely praised as a progressive step toward employee empowerment and institutional flexibility. According to official sources, hundreds of youth have already utilized the scheme to pursue higher education, travel, or launch startups—turning career breaks into life-changing opportunities.
Initially designed for regular employees with a minimum of five years of continuous service, the policy was later expanded to include temporary staff. Under the revised framework, temporary employees can apply for Sabbatical Leave after six months of service, with access to the same benefits and duration limits.
In April 2025, to improve efficiency and ease of access, the government decentralized approval authority. Heads of Departments can now independently approve leave for Group C and D employees, including temporary staff. Group A and B employees must continue to route their applications through the Secretary of the Personnel Department.
Officials say the reform not only fosters work-life balance but also encourages skill development and innovation within the state’s workforce. “The Sabbatical Leave policy is designed to help our employees grow without the fear of losing their job or position,” said a senior official from the Personnel Department.
By offering such structured flexibility, Sikkim has set a precedent for other states to emulate—redefining what employee welfare can look like in Indian governance.
