Govt Amends Rules: 180 Days Maternity Leave for Surrogate Mothers

The Centre has amended the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules to allow 180 days of maternity leave for women government employees who have children through surrogacy. Additionally, commissioning mothers can avail child care leave, while commissioning fathers are eligible for 15 days of paternity leave.

In a landmark move, the Centre has amended the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, to grant 180 days of maternity leave to women government employees who have children through surrogacy. This significant change aims to support the 'commissioning mother'—the intending mother of the surrogate child—ensuring she receives equivalent benefits as natural birth mothers.

Furthermore, the amended rules introduce child care leave for the commissioning mother and paternity leave of 15 days for the commissioning father, ensuring support for both parents. This move, effective from June 18, 2024, brings more inclusivity and support for varied family structures within the government workforce.

Before this amendment, the rules did not provide for maternity leave in cases of surrogacy, marking a substantial shift in policy. Additionally, the new rules clarify the definitions of 'surrogate mother' and 'commissioning father' to avoid any ambiguity. This policy shift underscores the government's commitment to recognizing and supporting diverse parenting roles.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)