Center modifies policies to provide employees with a six-month maternity leave in the event of surrogacy

As per the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, modifications, female government employees who become pregnant through surrogacy are now eligible to receive 180 days of maternity leave. The modifications also permit 15 days of paternity leave for "commissioning fathers" and child care leave for "commissioning mothers" (intent mothers). Notified on June 18, 2024, these modifications guarantee surrogate and commissioning moms who have fewer than two surviving children.The Center recently announced changes to a 50-year-old rule that would allow female government employees to take 180 days of maternity leave in the event that they became surrogate parents. With the amendments made to the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, it has also permitted the "commissioning mother" (the intended mother of the child born through surrogacy) to have child care leave in addition to paternity leave of 15 days to the "commissioning father".