The Supreme Court has ruled that adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, regardless of the child's age. This decision is seen as a significant step towards strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and their children.
Stakeholders, including adoptive parents and rights groups, have hailed the ruling as both 'essential and imperative' for the well-being of adoptive families.
According to the court, the process of adjustment and integration within the adoptive family remains substantially the same, regardless of the child's age.
The court also urged the Centre to come up with a law recognising paternity leave as a social security benefit, observing that parenthood is not a solitary function.
While there is no uniform law requiring private companies to provide paternity leave for adoption, the Department of Personnel and Training has an order allowing male government employees to take 15 days of paid paternity leave within six months from the date of adoption.
