National News

Maternity Leave for Adoptive Mothers

March 20 , 2026 12 hrs 0 min 22 0

The Supreme Court of India struck down the age cap on maternity leave for adoptive mothers as unconstitutional.
The court ruled that Section 60(4) of the Social Security Code, 2020, violated equality and the right to life under Articles 14 and 21.
It has granted 12 weeks of maternity leave to adoptive mothers irrespective of the child’s age at adoption.
The earlier rule limited benefits only to children below three months, making it impractical and discriminatory.
The court also urged the government to consider paternity leave as part of social security benefits.