Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved grant of Maternity Child Care Leave (MCC Leave) to women officers of all ranks in the Army, Navy and Air Force, across all branches and cadres, in line with the extant policy for their male counterparts, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday. The Maternity Child Care Leave will be granted for a period of six months extendable up to one year in case of unavoidable circumstances. The leave can be availed in two spells, each spell being minimum of 90 days as per the convenience of the woman officer. Notably, the government had in 2020 increased the maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks for all central government employees. In February this year, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) had issued an office memorandum stating that the Maternity Child Care Leave would now also be granted to women employees of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles. .
Rajnath Okays Maternity Child Care Leave for Women Soldiers of All Ranks
