Leave for a maximum period of 30 days in a year in addition to public holidays may be availed of by the Postdoctoral Fellow with the approval of the mentor and Head of the Department. In the case of short leave (less than 8 days), medical leave etc. DSK Fellow has to follow the host institution guidelines. Women candidates are eligible for maternity leave with full pay as per the Government of India rules, once during the tenure of their award. The Fellow, in exceptional cases may be allowed by the UGC, leave without fellowship and contingency, for a period not exceeding six months during the tenure of award on the recommendation of the mentor and Head of Department of the institution concerned. The period of leave without fellowship will be counted as a part of the tenure. To avail this leave, the Fellow has to be submit a request to the DSKPDF Cell. Decision on the request will be taken by the UGC-Empowered Committee.