📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Michael Gäbler
Health
Tamil Nadu Extends Maternity Leave for Third Child to One Year
✍️ Business Standard
🗓 19 Aug 2026, 04:38 PM
👁 22
The Tamil Nadu government has announced that mothers of a third child will now be eligible for 365 days of maternity leave, up from the previous period.
The state cabinet of Tamil Nadu approved an amendment to its maternity‑benefit rules, granting mothers of a third child a full year of leave with full pay. The change aims to support larger families and promote gender‑balanced workforce participation. Under the revised policy, eligible women will receive the same salary and job protection as they would for their first two children, but the leave period is now extended to 365 days. Officials said the move aligns with the state’s broader social‑welfare agenda and will be implemented from the next fiscal year. The announcement was made through an official press release and will be communicated to employers across the state.
The extension follows similar initiatives in other Indian states that have sought to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce drop‑out rates among working mothers. Labour unions have welcomed the decision, noting that longer paid leave can help women balance career and family responsibilities more effectively. The government has also indicated that it will monitor the scheme’s impact on both employee welfare and employer compliance.
Implementation details, such as the application process and documentation required, will be outlined by the Tamil Nadu Labour Department in the coming weeks. Employers are expected to update their HR policies accordingly, and the state plans to conduct awareness campaigns to ensure that eligible women are informed of their new rights.
The extension follows similar initiatives in other Indian states that have sought to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce drop‑out rates among working mothers. Labour unions have welcomed the decision, noting that longer paid leave can help women balance career and family responsibilities more effectively. The government has also indicated that it will monitor the scheme’s impact on both employee welfare and employer compliance.
Implementation details, such as the application process and documentation required, will be outlined by the Tamil Nadu Labour Department in the coming weeks. Employers are expected to update their HR policies accordingly, and the state plans to conduct awareness campaigns to ensure that eligible women are informed of their new rights.