The Tamil Nadu government has made a significant decision aimed at improving the welfare and social support for working women. State government employees will now receive full maternity leave of 365 days (one year) upon the birth of a third child, up from the previous 12 weeks (84 days).
Previously, this benefit was only available upon the birth of the first two children. This decision was announced by Minister of Human Resources D. Sharathkumar during discussions on his department's budget requests in the legislative assembly.
Sharathkumar stated that a detailed government order will be issued soon to implement this new rule. He addressed the house, saying that the Tamil Nadu government is a caring administration that prioritizes social well-being and women's empowerment. Given the current circumstances, the maternity leave of 12 weeks for third children of government female employees will be increased to 365 days.
Under existing regulations, married female employees in Tamil Nadu with fewer than two living children receive paid maternity leave for 365 days. However, when there are more than two children, women were only granted a 12-week (84-day) leave, which will now be extended to a full year.
The maternity leave period in Tamil Nadu has been increased several times over the past years. In 2011, the leave of 90 days was extended to six months. Then, in 2016, it was increased to nine months. Following this, in July 2021, the then government expanded it to one year (365 days).
This new government resolution will provide substantial support to working women in the state planning to have a third child, allowing them to care for their children more effectively.