Maternity Leave Amendments: Good news for surrogacy mothers. Now government women employees will be able to take six months of maternity leave after becoming mothers through surrogacy. The central government has researched 50-year-old rules in this matter. The Modi government has amended the rules to give 6 months of maternity leave to women employees in case of surrogacy.
Fathers are also allowed paternity leave. As per the amendment made in the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, a mother can take leave for child care. Also, the father can take 15 days of paternity leave.
What is a surrogacy pregnancy?
If there is no child or there is any obstacle, the couple rents the womb of another woman to give birth to a child. This is called surrogacy pregnancy. According to the notification issued by the Central Government, this big decision has been taken keeping in mind the need for leave for the mother giving birth to a child through surrogacy and the couple adopting the child. Now in the case of surrogacy, maternity leave of up to 180 days can be taken. Also, the surrogate can get leave of up to 180 days.
Provision of paternity leave
Till now there was no provision of maternity leave for female employees in case of child birth through surrogacy. Now under the new rules, if the parents giving birth to a child through surrogacy are government employees, then they will have to take 15 days of paternity leave and 180 days of maternity leave within 6 months from the date of delivery.
According to the current rules, a female and a male employee can avail a maximum of 730 days of childcare leave during their service. This includes all matters like care of two children, education and illness.