Bihar Elections 2025 and Bye-Elections: Paid Holiday Guidelines
Official Guidelines for Central Government Employees
Overview
The Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has issued guidelines regarding paid holidays for central government employees in connection with the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar, 2025 and bye-elections to 8 Assembly Constituencies across various States and Union Territories. This memorandum outlines the applicable rules and leave provisions for eligible employees.
- Bihar General Election Phase 1: 6 November 2025 (Thursday)
- Bihar General Election Phase 2: 11 November 2025 (Tuesday)
- Bye-Elections: 11 November 2025 (Tuesday)
General Election to Bihar Legislative Assembly 2025
The Election Commission of India has fixed the dates for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar in two phases:
- Phase 1: 6 November 2025 (Thursday)
- Phase 2: 11 November 2025 (Tuesday)
These elections will determine the composition of the Bihar Legislative Assembly for the next term.
Bye-Elections to 8 Assembly Constituencies
In addition to the Bihar elections, bye-elections are scheduled for 8 Assembly Constituencies across various States and Union Territories on 11 November 2025 (Tuesday). The constituencies include:
- Jammu & Kashmir (2 constituencies):
- 27-Budgam
- 77-Nagrota
- Rajasthan (1 constituency):
- 193-Anta
- Jharkhand (1 constituency):
- 45-Ghatsila (ST)
- Telangana (1 constituency):
- 61-Jubilee Hills
- Punjab (1 constituency):
- 21-Tarn Taran
- Mizoram (1 constituency):
- 2-Dampa (ST)
- Odisha (1 constituency):
- 71-Naupada
Key Guidelines for Central Government Employees
The Department of Personnel & Training has issued clear guidelines regarding office closure and leave provisions for central government employees:
Guideline 1: Office Closure in Notified Areas
Applicable to: General Elections to State Legislative Assembly
The Central Government Offices, including Industrial Establishments, shall remain closed on the day of poll in the notified areas where general election to the State Legislative Assembly is scheduled to be conducted.
This means offices in Bihar will remain closed on both 6 November 2025 and 11 November 2025 in notified polling areas.
Guideline 2: Special Casual Leave for Bye-Elections
Applicable to: Bye-Elections to Assembly Constituencies
In connection with bye-elections to Assembly Constituencies, only such employees who are bona-fide voters in the relevant constituency should be granted special casual leave on the day of polling.
This provision ensures that only eligible voters can exercise their voting rights without loss of pay.
Guideline 3: Residents of Constituency Employed Outside
Applicable to: General Elections and Bye-Elections
Special casual leave may also be granted to an employee who is:
- Ordinarily a resident of the constituency
- Registered as a voter in that constituency
- But employed in any Central Government Organization/Industrial Establishment located outside the constituency having general/bye-election
This provision recognizes the voting rights of employees who work outside their native constituency but are registered voters there.
Leave Summary Table
| Scenario | Leave Type | Eligibility | Applicable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working in a notified polling area | Office Closure (Paid Holiday) | All employees | General Elections |
| Bona-fide voter in bye-election area | Special Casual Leave | Registered voters | Bye-Elections |
| Resident but working outside constituency | Special Casual Leave | Registered residents & voters | General & Bye-Elections |
Action for Central Government Departments
The guidelines have been directed to be brought to the notice of all concerned parties, including:
- All Ministries and Departments of the Government of India
- Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories involved (Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Telangana, Punjab, Mizoram, and Odisha)
- Constitutional bodies (UPSC, CVC, C&AG, Supreme Court, High Courts)
- All attached and subordinate offices of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
- Staff Side and National Councils
- National Commissions for various categories
- Election Commission of India
Important Points to Remember
- Not all employees will get paid leave: The guidelines apply based on whether the polling area is notified and the employee's status as a registered voter in the constituency.
- Check with your department: Employees should verify with their Department or HR section about the applicability of these guidelines to their specific location.
- Notified areas only: Office closure for general elections applies only in areas officially notified as polling areas.
- Special Casual Leave is not paid leave: Unless the office remains closed, special casual leave may not be counted as paid holiday in all cases—check your establishment's rules.
- Document your voter status: To claim special casual leave, employees must prove they are registered voters in the relevant constituency.
Impact on Central Government Employees
This memorandum is particularly relevant for central government employees working in Bihar and the specified constituencies. The provision ensures that:
- Employees in Bihar can participate in the democratic process without loss of pay on election days
- Government offices in polling areas remain closed to facilitate the conduct of elections
- Employees registered to vote in bye-election constituencies can exercise their voting rights
- The principle of democratic participation is balanced with governance continuity
If you are a central government employee in Bihar or any of the specified states, ensure you:
- Check your voter registration status
- Confirm whether your office location is in a notified polling area
- Consult your Department/HR for specific leave applicability
- Verify the polling date and voting center for your constituency
For the complete official memorandum and detailed guidelines, download from the source:
📄 Download Official PDF 🖨️ Print This ArticleDocument Reference: F. No. 12/1/2022-JCA
Issued by: Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India
Date: 4 November 2025
Location: 2nd Floor, B Wing, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi
Contact: Election Commission Reference - Letter No. 78/EPS/2025 dated 07.10.2025
Official Link: DOPT Official Website
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