HC Directs Government on Maternity Leave Policy for Third Child

Rapid Summary

• The Telangana High Court questioned the State government about limiting the provision of 180 days of maternity leave to only two children.
• A Bench consisting of Chief Justice Aparesh kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin raised the matter during a writ petition filed by G. Swetha, an assistant in a government school.
• Swetha argued that GO 152 Leave rules, issued by the Finance Department, were arbitrary and violated natural justice as well as a Supreme Court verdict.
• Swetha applied for maternity leave for her third child but was denied approval under the current rule framework.
• The High court has directed the government’s counsel to provide clarification on this policy within a week. The case has been scheduled for further hearing on September 16, 2025.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This case highlights an important legal challenge questioning whether restrictions on maternity benefits infringe upon constitutional rights or established judgments by higher courts like the Supreme Court. If maternity leave provision is limited based solely on family size criteria, it could raise broader concerns regarding equity in workplace policies for women across sectors. For many employees working in government roles with rigid rule frameworks, such policies may introduce dilemmas balancing professional obligations with parental duties.

The intervention of the Telangana High court offers an prospect to revisit these rules through judicial scrutiny while assessing their alignment with principles of fairness and natural justice. Irrespective of its ultimate outcome, this case might set an important precedent affecting public sector employment norms in India.

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