Special Casual Leave (SCL) for Trekking: How Government Employees Can Apply with Trekup India

If you are an Indian government employee, you can apply for Special Casual Leave (SCL) for a trek in India with us. We are an active member of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), registration number IMF/2022-23/0173, and we handle the SCL application for you once you book.

Who can get Special Casual Leave for a trek?

Special Casual Leave (SCL) is a leave allowance that Indian government employees can use for trekking and mountaineering. To get it through us, three conditions apply:

• You must be an Indian government employee.
• The trek must be run within India. SCL does not apply to treks abroad, such as Everest Base Camp or Kilimanjaro.
• You must apply at least 30 to 35 days before the trek date.

That last point matters most. The approval needs time, so plan your leave when you pick your batch, not in the last two weeks.

One more thing to check on your side: leave rules can differ by department and by state. Ask your office or HR what they need to see, and share it with us when you book so we can help you get the right letter.

How we apply for your SCL, step by step

You book your trek, and we do the paperwork with the IMF. Here is the full path:

1. Book your trek. Book with the help of one of our mountain experts, and tell them you want to apply for SCL.
2. Share your details. Your mountain expert asks for a few personal details and documents (the list is in the next section).
3. We apply on the IMF portal. Our team reviews your details and applies for your SCL at the IMF portal. We give you the reference ID.
4. The IMF reviews it. A designated officer at the Indian Mountaineering Foundation checks the application. If the details and documents are correct, it is approved.
5. You pay the application fee. Once the IMF approves, we tell you, and you pay the application fee.
6. The IMF issues the letter. After your payment, the approval and confirmation letter from the IMF comes in 10 to 15 days.
7. We send it to you. We forward the letter to you as soon as we receive it, and you submit it to your office.

Approval depends on the IMF and on correct details and documents, so we cannot promise it. What we can do is make sure your application is complete before it goes in.

Documents, fee and timeline

Keep these ready when you book, and the process moves faster:

• Your full name, exactly as on your government ID
• A copy of your Aadhaar card, front and back
• Your designation
• Your current office address
• A copy of your office ID card

We prepare and provide the other documents needed for the SCL application.

If your trek is close, speak to us before you book. We will tell you honestly whether the timeline works.

How much leave you get, and how to pick a genuine operator

As per the Pay Commission rules, government employees can take up to 30 days of SCL in a calendar year for trekking or mountaineering expeditions. The trek must be organised by a registered organisation that the Indian Mountaineering Foundation recognises. Trekup India is an active member of the IMF, and our registration number is IMF/2022-23/0173.

Be careful when you compare operators. Some companies show the IMF logo on their website without being registered. Before you book with anyone, ask for a copy of their IMF registration certificate, and check that the number on it matches what they say.

If you have a question about your own leave entitlement, your department is the final authority. For anything about our part of the process, write to us at info@trekupindia.com.

FAQs about SCL for trekking

Who can apply for SCL through Trekup India? Any Indian government employee who books a trek that we run within India.

Can I use SCL for an international trek? No. SCL applies only to treks conducted and operated within India.

How early should I apply? At least 30 to 35 days before your trek date.

How long does the IMF take to approve? The approval and confirmation letter comes from the IMF within 10 to 15 days from the date you pay the application fee.

How much does the SCL application cost? The application fee is about ₹300 per application, plus a processing fee. You pay it after the IMF approves your application.

Which documents do I need? Your full name as on your government ID, a copy of your Aadhaar card (front and back), your designation, your current office address and a copy of your office ID card.

How many days of SCL can I take? As per the Pay Commission rules, up to 30 days in a calendar year for trekking or mountaineering expeditions. Please confirm with your department.

Is approval guaranteed? No. The IMF approves the application only if the details and documents are correct.

What is your IMF registration number? IMF/2022-23/0173. Ask any operator for a copy of their IMF registration certificate before you book.

Who do I contact for help? Your mountain expert after booking, or write to info@trekupindia.com.