Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay said that women state-government employees will receive 365 days of maternity leave for a third child [1].
The policy aims to address falling fertility rates in South India by incentivizing larger families among public sector workers [1].
Under the new guidelines, maternity leave for women employees having a third child increases from 12 weeks to 365 days [1]. This extension represents a significant shift in state labor benefits for government staff.
In addition to the extended leave, the government increased health insurance cover to Rs 25 lakh [2]. These combined measures are designed to reduce the financial and professional burdens associated with having more children.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, comes as part of a broader effort to boost population growth within the region [1].
Not all political factions support the move. The DMK objected to the 365-day maternity leave policy for the third child [2]. The opposition's concerns contrast with the government's stated goal of reversing demographic declines.
Government employees will now have access to nearly a full year of leave to care for a third infant, a departure from the standard 12-week window previously provided [1].
“Maternity leave for women employees having a third child increases from 12 weeks to 365 days”
This policy shift indicates a growing concern among South Indian administrators regarding demographic sustainability. By specifically targeting the third child with extensive leave and high insurance coverage, the Tamil Nadu government is attempting to use state employment benefits as a tool for social engineering to prevent long-term population decline.
