Sabbatical Leave Scheme

• In an unprecedented reform, Sikkim has become the first state in the country to implement a formal sabbatical leave scheme.
• The government has empowered its employees, especially the youth, by providing them rare opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• The policy, launched in August 2023, allows regular state government employees with a minimum of five years of continuous service to avail sabbatical leave ranging from 365 to 1,080 days.
• During this period, they are entitled to receive 50% of their basic pay.
• The seniority of employees under the scheme is retained, and the government can recall them at a month's notice.
• Later, temporary employees were also included in the scheme, who became eligible after six months of continuous service, and continue to receive the same structural benefits.
• Further enhancing the effectiveness of the scheme, in April this year, the government also delegated the power of approval.