Dear Nagendrudu,

Individual maternity benefits may vary from organisation to organisation and will primarily depend on a particular organisation’s HR policy. However, most organisations follow a three-month maternity leave pattern. The government is currently considering a six-month maternity leave policy.

Under the provisions of the Maternity Benefits Act, a person is entitled to maternity benefits at an average daily wage for a period of six weeks from a day before your delivery to six weeks following that day.

The average daily wage is calculated on the basis of the daily wages during the period of three calendar months immediately preceding the date the person absented herself on account of maternity, or the minimum wage rate, whichever is higher.

To be eligible she must have worked for not less than 160 days in the 12 months immediately prior to the date of the expected delivery.

The employee is entitled to a maximum period of 12 weeks as maternity benefit. In the unfortunate event of a miscarriage, she must provide relevant proof of the miscarriage to avail the medical benefits.

Another important provision under the Maternity Benefits Act is that if the employee is ill on account of the pregnancy or if have delivered prematurely, she is entitled to a maximum period of one month in addition to the maternity leave.

Regards,
Martin

Hi Nagendrudu,

The leave entitlement for Adoption is 2 weeks.

Benefits may vary from organisation to organisation, but they should not be less than the scheme offered by the state / central government