Telangana HC: Twins Born In First Pregnancy Don't Deny Maternity Leave

The Telangana High Court has ruled that a woman government employee cannot be denied maternity leave for her second delivery if her first pregnancy resulted in the birth of twins. This decision was made in a case where a Junior Lecturer with the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS) was denied maternity leave for her second pregnancy.

The petitioner had given birth to twins in November 2023 and was granted 180 days of maternity leave at that time. When she became pregnant again, she applied for maternity leave from April 14, 2026, but the authorities rejected her request, citing that she already had two surviving children and was therefore not eligible for maternity leave under Rule 101(a) of the Telangana Fundamental Rules.

The court, however, observed that the condition of having 'less than two surviving children' under the Telangana Fundamental Rules cannot be interpreted literally in cases where twins are born during a single pregnancy. Justice K. Sarath relied on the Supreme Court's rulings in Deepika Singh v. Central Administrative Tribunal and K. Umadevi v. Government of Tamil Nadu while deciding the case.

The court said that maternity leave is a beneficial provision meant to support women in balancing motherhood and employment and should therefore receive a purposive interpretation. It noted that there is no restriction on the number of deliveries for a woman employee under the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972.

The petitioner had argued that the authorities had mechanically applied the two-child norm by treating the birth of twins as two separate confinements. She contended that her first pregnancy was a single biological event and should be treated as one delivery for the purpose of maternity leave.

The respondents had opposed the plea, arguing that the applicable rules permit maternity leave only to women government employees having less than two surviving children. However, the court ruled in favour of the petitioner, allowing her to receive 180 days of maternity leave with all consequential benefits for her second pregnancy.

This decision is significant as it supports the rights of working women and allows them to balance their professional and personal lives. The court's ruling is a step towards promoting gender equality and providing beneficial provisions to support women in the workplace.

The Telangana High Court's decision is also in line with the Supreme Court's observations that decisions relating to childbirth are often influenced by family and social circumstances, and that the birth of twins is a biological occurrence beyond the control of the mother.

In conclusion, the Telangana High Court's ruling is a positive step towards supporting working women and promoting gender equality in the workplace. It allows women to receive maternity leave for their second pregnancy, even if their first pregnancy resulted in the birth of twins.

This decision will have a significant impact on the lives of working women in Telangana and will provide them with the necessary support and benefits to balance their professional and personal lives. It is a step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment for women and promoting gender equality in the workplace.

The court's ruling is also a reminder that the rights of working women must be protected and promoted, and that beneficial provisions such as maternity leave are essential for supporting women in the workplace. It is a positive step towards creating a more equitable and just society, where women have the opportunity to pursue their careers and balance their personal and professional lives.

The decision of the Telangana High Court will have far-reaching implications for working women in the state and will provide them with the necessary support and benefits to succeed in their careers. It is a significant step towards promoting gender equality and creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment for women.