Maternity Leave is Part of Reproductive Rights: Supreme Court

On 22nd May 2025, in landmark verdict, the Supreme Court (SC) of India, clarified that maternity benefits form an essential part of a woman’s reproductive rights, and cannot be restricted by arbitrary or discriminatory norms.

Background

  • The case arose when Uma Devi, a government school teacher in Tamil Nadu, was denied maternity leave for her 2021–22 pregnancy on the ground that Rule 101(a) of the Tamil Nadu Fundamental Rules (“FR 101(a)”) restricts the benefit to women with “less than two surviving children.”
  • A Single Judge of the Madras High Court granted relief; a Division Bench reversed.

SC’s Ruling

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