Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday approved a major decision to enhance maternity and childcare leave for women officers in the armed forces to one year from the current six months. The order will benefit all women officers and soldiers irrespective of their ranks. “Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the proposal to enhance the period of maternity leave and childcare leave from the existing 180 days to 365 days for all women officers, including permanent and short service commissioned officers, in the armed forces,” a defence ministry official said on Monday. The official clarified that the enhanced maternity and childcare leave will also be applicable to women soldiers of all ranks. “The new policy will provide women officers and soldiers adequate time to attend to the needs of their newborn child and family. This decision reflects the government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of women in the armed forces,” the official added. The decision comes after a series of representations from women officers and soldiers seeking an increase in the maternity leave period. Currently, women officers and soldiers are entitled to 180 days of maternity leave. This includes 90 days of ante-natal leave and 90 days of post-natal leave. After the completion of maternity leave, women officers and soldiers are entitled to 60 days of childcare leave. The enhanced maternity and childcare leave will be applicable to all women officers and soldiers who are pregnant or are planning to have a child on or after December 1, 2023. The order will also have retrospective effect for those who have already availed maternity leave before December 1. “The approval of this proposal is a testament to the government’s commitment to gender equality and the welfare of women in the armed forces. It will provide women officers and soldiers the opportunity to balance their professional and personal commitments effectively,” the official said..
Rajnath Okays Maternity Childcare Leave of One Year for Women Soldiers of All Ranks
