Supreme Court Key Verdict on Maternity Leave

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has delivered a landmark verdict on maternity leave, striking down a restrictive provision related to adoptive mothers. The court observed that limiting maternity leave eligibility only to cases where the adopted child is below three months of age is unconstitutional. It held that Section 60(4) of the Social Security Code 2020 violates constitutional principles and fails to uphold the rights of women.

The apex court clarified that adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, regardless of the age of the child at the time of adoption. The court emphasized that maternity benefits should focus on the welfare of both mother and child, rather than arbitrary age restrictions. This ruling is expected to strengthen social security protections and ensure greater equality for adoptive mothers across the country.