The Supreme Court has ruled that maternity leave is a fundamental right of women and cannot be denied. The court's decision came in response to a petition filed by a woman government employee from Tamil Nadu who was denied maternity leave for her third child.
- Maternity Leave as a Fundamental Right: The court recognized maternity leave as an integral part of a woman's reproductive rights.
- Expansion of Maternity Benefits: The ruling expands the scope of maternity benefits, ensuring that women cannot be deprived of their right to maternity leave.
- Applicability: The decision applies to all women, regardless of the number of children they have.