The Tamil Nadu government has decided to extend maternity leave for women government employees having a third child from 12 weeks to 365 days, bringing the benefit in line with the leave already available for the first two children.
The decision was announced in the state Assembly by the Human Resources Management Minister. A detailed government order is expected to be issued to formally implement the change.
One-year leave for third child
Under the existing rules, women government employees with fewer than two surviving children are eligible for one year of maternity leave.
Employees with two or more surviving children, however, were previously entitled to only 12 weeks of maternity leave for a subsequent child.
The latest decision removes this distinction and extends the 365-day maternity leave benefit to the third child as well.
Maternity leave expanded over the years
Tamil Nadu has progressively increased maternity leave for its women government employees.
The leave period was initially 90 days, before being increased to six months in 2011, nine months in 2016 and one year in 2021.
The latest decision continues the state’s expansion of maternity benefits and provides additional support to women employees during childbirth and the period following it.
Government order expected
Officials have indicated that the change is linked to earlier amendments and court directions concerning maternity benefits for women with more than two children.
The detailed government order will establish the specific implementation provisions and clarify how the revised benefit will apply to eligible employees.
The move is being viewed as part of Tamil Nadu’s broader focus on women’s welfare, social security and family-friendly workplace policies.
Once implemented, women government employees having a third child will receive the same 365-day maternity leave entitlement as applicable for the first two children.
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