Loading…
Tamil Nadu announced on 18 August 2026 that women state government employees will get 365 days of maternity leave for a third child, up from 12 weeks.
The announcement was made by Human Resources Management Minister D Sarathkumar in the Legislative Assembly during the demand-for-grants discussion of his department.
It reverses a March 2026 amendment to Fundamental Rule 101(A) that had capped third-child leave at 12 weeks; the Madras High Court had upheld that cap in June 2026.
Third-child leave is now aligned with the 365 days already available for the first two deliveries, granted with full pay.
The state's total fertility rate is below 1.4 against a replacement level of 2.1, and nearly 16 per cent of its population is above 60.
Maternity leave for state government employees raised from 90 days to six months
Entitlement extended further to nine months
Raised to 365 days for women employees with fewer than two surviving children
Fundamental Rule 101(A) amended to limit maternity leave for a third child to 12 weeks, following a Supreme Court directive
Madras High Court upholds the 12-week restriction on third-child maternity leave
Government announces 365 days of maternity leave for a third child, restoring parity with the first two deliveries
The service rule under which maternity leave is granted to state government employees; its March 2026 amendment created the 12-week cap now being reversed.
Central law that raised paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for a woman with fewer than two surviving children, and made creche facilities mandatory in establishments with 50 or more employees.
Governs maternity leave for Central Government employees, who are entitled to 180 days for the first two surviving children.
GS Paper 1 > Population and Associated Issues; GS Paper 2 > Welfare Schemes and Issues Relating to Women
General Awareness > Current Affairs, Schemes and Policies
General Awareness > National and State Affairs
The average number of children a woman would bear over her lifetime at prevailing age-specific fertility rates.
A TFR of about 2.1, the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.
The body of service rules governing conditions of service, including pay and leave, for government employees.