Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Vijay said that women state government employees will now receive 365 days of maternity leave for a third child [1].
The policy change aims to align benefits for a third child with those provided for the first two children. By extending this leave, the government seeks to promote women's empowerment and encourage population growth [2].
Previously, women employees in the state government were eligible for only 12 weeks of maternity leave when having a third child [3]. The new mandate increases this duration significantly, granting a full year of leave [1].
This move addresses a previous disparity in leave entitlements. Under the old rules, the sharp drop from the leave granted for the first two children to the 12 weeks provided for the third child created a barrier for government workers [4].
Officials said the expansion is part of a broader effort to support working mothers in the public sector. The administration intends for this change to reduce the professional penalty associated with larger families [2].
The announcement comes as part of the state's current social welfare initiatives. By providing 365 days of leave [5], the government intends to ensure that mothers have sufficient time for recovery, and childcare, without risking their employment status [3].
“Women state government employees will now receive 365 days of maternity leave for a third child.”
This policy shift represents a departure from traditional population control narratives often seen in Indian state governance. By incentivizing a third child through extended paid leave, Tamil Nadu is prioritizing maternal health and family size, signaling a strategic move to combat declining birth rates among its professional workforce.
