Children Education Allowance Rules

• The document contains consolidated instructions regarding the implementation of decisions relating to Children Education Allowance (CEA) and Hostel Subsidy, based on the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission. These instructions are issued in supersession of earlier OMs on the subject.

CEA/Hostel Subsidy Eligibility

• Reimbursement can be claimed for only the two eldest surviving children, except in the case of twins/multiple births from the second child birth.
• Reimbursement is admissible for children born out of the first instance of sterilization failure, beyond the usual two-child norm.

CEA Reimbursement Amount

• The fixed amount for CEA reimbursement is Rs. 2250 per month per child, irrespective of actual expenses.
• To claim CEA, a government servant should produce a certificate from the Head of the Institution confirming the child studied there during the previous academic year.
• If a certificate cannot be obtained, a self-attested copy of the report card or fee receipt confirming fee deposit for the entire academic year can be used.
• The term "period/year" refers to the academic year, which is twelve months of a complete academic session.

Hostel Subsidy

• The amount for hostel subsidy is Rs. 6750 per month.
• To claim hostel subsidy, a certificate from the Head of the Institution is required, confirming the child studied in the school and stating the amount of expenditure incurred towards lodging and boarding.
• If a certificate cannot be obtained, a self-attested copy of the report card and original fee receipts indicating expenditure towards lodging and boarding can be produced.
• The expenditure on boarding and lodging or the ceiling of Rs. 6750, whichever is lower, will be paid as hostel subsidy.

Divyaang Children

• Divyaang children of government employees are entitled to double the normal rates of CEA, i.e., Rs. 4500 per month (fixed).

Dearness Allowance

• The rates/ceiling for CEA and hostel subsidy are automatically raised by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance on the revised pay structure increases by 50%.

Concurrent Claims for Spouses

• If both spouses are government servants, only one can avail reimbursement under CEA and Hostel Subsidy.
• CEA and Hostel Subsidy can be claimed concurrently.

Financial Year

• Reimbursement of CEA and Hostel Subsidy is done only once in a financial year after completion of the financial year.

Hostel Subsidy Location

• Hostel subsidy is applicable only if the child studies in a residential educational institution located at least 50 kilometers away from the government servant's residence.

Performance

• Reimbursement of CEA and Hostel Subsidy is not linked to the child's academic performance.
• Even if a child fails, reimbursement will not stop.
• However, if a child is admitted to the same class in another school after passing or mid-session, CEA will not be reimbursable.

Death During Service

• If a government servant dies while in service, CEA/hostel subsidy is admissible if the spouse is not employed by the Central/State Govt., Autonomous body, PSU, Semi Government Organization, or any organization funded by the Central/State Govts. In such cases, CEA/Hostel Subsidy will be payable until the employee would have received it, subject to fulfilling other conditions.

Retirement

• Upon retirement, discharge, dismissal, or removal from service, CEA/Hostel Subsidy is admissible until the end of the academic year.

Age Limit

• The upper age limit for Divyaang children is 22 years.
• For other children, the age limit is 20 years or until passing the 12th class, whichever is earlier. There is no minimum age.

Eligible Classes

• Reimbursement of CEA and Hostel Subsidy is applicable for children from nursery to 12th grade, including classes 11th and 12th held by Junior Colleges or schools affiliated with Universities or Boards of Education.

Distance Learning

• CEA is allowed for children studying through "Correspondence or Distance Learning," subject to other conditions.

Previous Classes

• CEA and Hostel Subsidy are admissible for children studying from two classes before class one to 12th standard.
• It covers the initial two years of a diploma/certificate course post 10th standard from Polytechnic/ITI/Engineering College, if CEA/Hostel Subsidy was not granted for 11th and 12th standards.

Unaffiliated Schools

• For schools/institutions not affiliated with any Board of Education at nursery, primary, and middle levels, reimbursement may be allowed for children studying in a recognized school/institution, meaning a Government school or any educational institution recognized by relevant authorities.

Aided Institutions

• For a Divyaang child in an aided or approved institution by the Central/State Govt. or UT Administration, CEA is reimbursed regardless of the institution's recognition, up to age 22.

Government Employee Children

• CEA is payable for children of all Central Government employees, including citizens of Nepal and Bhutan employed by the Government of India, studying in their native place if the school is recognized by the relevant Indian Mission.

Leave

• CEA or hostel subsidy is admissible while a government servant is on duty, under suspension, or on leave (including extraordinary leave), but not during any period treated as 'dies non'.

Effective Date

• The above instructions came into effect from July 1, 2017.