The Tamil Nadu government has announced a major change in maternity leave rules for women government employees having their third child. The state will increase maternity leave from the existing 12 weeks to 365 days, or one year. Human Resources Management Minister D Sarathkumar announced this decision on the floor of the legislative assembly.  

The announcement comes as the government, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, has highlighted women’s welfare and empowerment as key priorities. The new provision will give women employees more time to care for their newborns and recover after childbirth.

At present, women working in the Tamil Nadu government receive different maternity leave benefits based on the number of children they have. Married women government employees with fewer than two surviving children are eligible for 365 days of maternity leave. Women with two or more surviving children are currently entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave with full pay.

Minister D Sarathkumar announced the change while responding to the demand for grants for his department in the State Assembly. He said, "Under these circumstances, as the Tamil Nadu government is a welfare-oriented administration prioritising social welfare and women's empowerment, the maternity leave currently provided for the third child of female government employees will be enhanced from 12 weeks to 365 days".

The state has gradually increased maternity leave for government employees over the years. In 2011, the maternity leave period stood at 90 days. The government increased it to six months later. In 2016, the leave period was raised to nine months. It was eventually extended to one year, or 365 days, in July 2021.

The earlier extensions came under different state governments led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The latest decision will now extend the one-year benefit to women government employees having their third child.

According to a government source cited by news agency PTI, the 365-day maternity leave benefit applies to regular women employees with fewer than two surviving children under the existing eligibility rules. Women government employees with two or more surviving children are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave with full pay. This provision follows directives issued by the Supreme Court and subsequent amendments made by the state government.

A senior government official said a detailed government order will be issued soon for the implementation of the new maternity leave provision. The order is expected to clarify the rules and eligibility conditions for women employees having their third child.

The announcement also comes amid a recent controversy involving first-time TVK MLA R Pallavi and her newborn child. Pallavi has been bringing her newborn to the Tamil Nadu Assembly premises during the ongoing session. Sources cited by PTI said she leaves the child with an attendant when she enters the main Assembly hall for proceedings.

The caregiver looks after the newborn in a room located near the Assembly hall until Pallavi finishes her work and returns. Pallavi also recently took her child to meet TVK founder and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay inside the Assembly premises. Vijay blessed the newborn during the meeting.

Pallavi faced criticism over her decision to carry her child with her. She later defended her choice and said the criticism was unfair. Speaking to a YouTube channel, she said, "What is there to create a scene?...How can I leave the newborn at home? Please think and then make a comment. It is okay even if you do not understand the pain of others; but do not troll."

Pallavi was elected from the Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar constituency in Chennai during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The controversy surrounding her newborn has brought renewed attention to the challenges faced by working mothers, particularly those with young children.

The Tamil Nadu government's decision to extend maternity leave for third-child mothers marks a significant change in its existing policy. Once the detailed government order is issued, eligible women employees will be able to take up to one year of paid maternity leave for their third child.