Hi Everyone! An IMPORTANT update - There seems to be a lot of questions/doubts with respect to the recent Maternity Benefit Amendment Act 2017. The gazette notification of this Act can be found here: http://www.labour.nic.in/sites/default/files/Maternity%20Benefit%20Amendment%20Act%2C2017%20.pdf In addition to the gazette, there are a few FAQs & clarifications that the Labour Ministry has addressed. The same can be accessed here: http://www.labour.nic.in/sites/default/files/The%20Maternity%20Benefit%20%28Amendment%29%20Act%2C2017%20-Clarifications.pdf There are a few clarifications/doubts (especially the ones about the 6 months Paid Maternity Leave) that I would like to address. 1. If you are an expectant mother who has gone on Maternity Leave on or after 1st April, you are entitled to the 26 weeks paid maternity leave. 2. If you are already on Maternity Leave AND have not completed 12 weeks of maternity leave as on 1st April, then you too are entitled to an extension of up to 26 weeks paid maternity leave. It is MANDATORY for your company to give you an extension, and it is not up to their discretion. Many companies are using the "can be" in the FAQs and fooling mothers saying it is up to them. It is not up to them, but YOUR RIGHT! 3. If you are on extended leave (PLs, LOP) and have completed 12 weeks as on 1st April, then you ARE NOT entitled to the benefits of this Act, unless your company is really generous and decides otherwise. If you are rightfully entitled to the benefits of this Act, and if your company is denying you the same, you have every right to complain to the Labour Ministry. Please spread the word so that all deserving mothers benefit! I hope this helps. Thanks. Regards, Jincy Varghese.