Children Education Allowance Scheme (CEA) - FAQ

Department of Personnel & Training

Establishment (Allowance Section)

Sl.No.	Frequently and Question		Answer
Children Education Allowance Scheme (CEA)
1.	Whether Reimbursement of Children  Education Allowance (CEA) for 3rd child is permissible if CEA has not been claimed for 1stand or 2nd child?  As per OM dated 2.9.2008 CEA is admissible for two school going children does it mean any two school going children?	As per OM No.12011/03/2008- Estt.(AL) dated 11.11.2008, the Children Education Allowance would be admissible for more than two children in case the number of Children exceeds two as a result of the second child birth resulting in twins or multiple birth.  This implies that the CEA will be admissible  only in the cases of two eldest surviving children and CEA for third or subsequent child will only be permissible if there is a case of multiple birth at the time of second childbirth.  Further, reimbursement of CEA for the 3rd child is admissible in case of failure of sterilization operation.
2.	What are the fees that are reimbursable? Whether Development Fees, Annual Charges Transportation fees are reimbursable? Reimbursement towards purchase of school bag, water bottle, uniform, shoes not stationary is admissible?	As per OM No.12011/03/2008- Estt. (AL) dated 2.9.2008, tuition fee, admission fee, laboratory fee, special fee charged for agriculture, electronics, music or any other subject, fee charged for practical work under the programme of work experience, fee paid for the use of any aid or appliances by the child, library fee, games/sports fee and fee for extra-curricular activities are reimbursable subject to the condition that the  aforementioned fee are charged by the school directly from the student.  Besides, reimbursement for purchase of one set of text books and notebooks, two sets of uniforms prescribed by the school in which the child is studying, one pair of shoes, in an academic year are reimbursable. Uniform include all items of clothing prescribed for a day, as uniform by the school, irrespective  of colours / winter/ summer PT uniforms
3.	Whether CEA has been increased by 25% as a result of enhancement of Dearness Allowances beyond 50%?	This Department’s OM No.12011/03/2008-Esst(AL) dated 2.9.2008 clearly indicates that the limits should be automatically raised by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance on the revised pay structure goes up by 50%”. There is no need for any separate order from this department to effect enhancement of CEA as a result of increase in DA by 50%. However O.M. No.12011/01/2011-Estt(Allowance) dated 4th May 2011, has been issued to clarify this further.
4.	Whether CEA can be claimed for the child for  the same class twice?	The reimbursement of CEA is not linked to the performance of the child in his class.  Even if a child fails in a particular class, the reimbursement is permissible.However, if the child is admitted in the same class in another school, although the child has passed out of the same class in previous school or in the midsession, CEA shall not be reimbursable.
5.	Whether Hostel subsidy is reimbursable irrespective of transfer liability?	Hostel Subsidy is reimbursable  to all Central Govt. employees for keeping their ward in the Hostel of a residential  school away from the station in which the employee is posted or residing irrespective of any transfer liability.
6.	Whether the admissible amount on account of CEA can be reimbursed in full to a Govt.  servant in the first quarter of  the financial / academic year itself.	A Govt servant is allowed to get 50%  of the total amount subject to the overall annual ceiling in the first quarter and the remaining amount in third and or fourth quarter. Frontloading of the entire amount in the first and second quarters is not allowed.
7.	Whether any age limit has been prescribed for reimbursement of CEA in respect of children studying in nursery classes.	There is no minimum age prescribed for reimbursement of CEA in respect of children admitted in nursery classes.  However, with regard to physically challenged children the minimum age of 5 (five) years has been prescribed.  The maximum age for physically challenged children the maximum age is 22 years.
8.	Whether the school/institution should be recognized?	The school/institution has to be recognized by the Central or State Government or UT administration or by University or a recognized educational authority  having jurisdiction over the area where the institution is situated.
9.	Whether CEA is payable for the children of central Government employees and studying abroad, including children of citizens of Nepal/Bhutan but working in Government of India, and the children are studying in the schools in their native place, i.e., Nepal/Bhutan?	The CEA is payable for the children of all central Government employees including citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, who are employees of Government of India, and whose children are studying abroad. However, a certificate may be obtained from the Indian Mission abroad that the school is recognized by the educational authority having jurisdiction over the area where the institution is situated.
Joining Time Rules
10.	Whether Joining time/Joining Time pay  is admissible in case of technical resignation to join another Govt. Organization?		For appointment to posts under the Central Government on the results of a competitive examination and or interview open to Government servants  and others, Central Government employees and permanent / provisionally permanent State Government employees will be entitled to joining time.  A Government servant shall be treated on duty during the period of joining time pay equal to the pay and allowances like DA, HRA. CCA drawn before relinquishment to chare at the old post.  But temporary central Government employees with less than 3 years of regular continuous service, though entitled to joining time would not be entitled to joining time pay.
11.	Revision of rates of Overtime Allowance		The 5th and 6th Central pay Commission have recommended abolition of grant of Overtime allowance but the Government has decided to maintain the status quo at the existing rats till implementation of performance Related Incentive Scheme.