ALT4
India • Updated for 2026

Maternity Leave Calculator

Calculate maternity leave dates in India for the first or second child, third child onward, adoption, commissioning motherhood, miscarriage, medical termination of pregnancy and related situations.

Leave calculator

Calculate maternity leave

Select the situation and enter the relevant date. The result updates instantly.

Central statutory guide

First and second child: 26 weeks. Third child onward: 12 weeks.

Delivery date is

Choose how many weeks of the total leave you want to use before the due date.

Work duration: To qualify for maternity benefit under the central provision, an employee must have worked for the same employer/establishment for at least 80 days in the 12 months immediately before the expected delivery date.
Estimated statutory entitlement
Enter a date to calculate
Leave starts—
Leave ends—
Return to work—
Total leave days—

Your dates are processed only in this browser by this calculator.

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Key maternity-benefit periods

These are central statutory limits under Chapter VI of the Code on Social Security, 2020. More favourable service rules or contractual benefits can continue to apply.

26 weeks • 182 days

First & second child

Up to 8 weeks may be taken before the expected delivery date.

12 weeks • 84 days

Third child onward

Up to 6 weeks may be taken before the expected delivery date.

12 weeks • 84 days

Adoption / commissioning

From handover date for legal adoption of a child below 3 months, or for a commissioning mother.

6 weeks • 42 days

Miscarriage / MTP

Immediately following the day of miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy, subject to prescribed proof.

2 weeks • 14 days

Tubectomy

Immediately following the day of a tubectomy operation, subject to prescribed proof.

1 month

Related illness

Additional leave up to one month for illness arising from pregnancy, delivery, premature birth, miscarriage or MTP.

15 months

Nursing breaks

Two nursing breaks during the workday after return to duty until the child reaches 15 months.

50+

Crèche threshold

Covered establishments with 50 or more employees must provide a crèche facility, with four visits a day as provided by the Code.

Important rules

What the calculator also checks

  • 80-day qualifying condition: an employee must have worked for the same employer/establishment for at least 80 days in the 12 months immediately before the expected delivery date. Certain paid holidays and laid-off days count for this purpose.
  • First/second versus third child: this calculator uses the simple first-child, second-child and third-child-onward presentation requested for everyday use. The central statutory wording is technically framed around the number of surviving children; unusual family circumstances should therefore be verified with HR or the applicable authority.
  • Coverage: Chapter VI applies to every factory, mine and plantation, and generally to shops or establishments with 10 or more employees (or those notified by the appropriate government).
  • Post-delivery protection: employment/work is prohibited during the six weeks immediately following delivery, miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy.
  • Arduous work: on request, a pregnant woman cannot be required to do arduous work, long-standing work or work likely to adversely affect pregnancy during the specified protected period before delivery.
  • Medical bonus: the Code specifies ₹3,500, or another amount notified by the Central Government, where free pre-natal confinement and post-natal care are not provided by the employer.
  • Work from home: after maternity benefit, work from home may be mutually agreed if the nature of work permits it.
  • Dismissal protection: discharge or dismissal during or because of an absence taken in accordance with Chapter VI is restricted, subject to the Code's provisions on prescribed gross misconduct and appeal.
  • No deduction for protected work/nursing breaks: normal wages cannot be reduced merely because of protected work arrangements under section 59 or nursing breaks under section 66.
  • Working during the paid absence: working for remuneration during a period for which maternity absence has been permitted can lead to forfeiture of maternity benefit for that period.
  • Stillbirth: the Code's childbirth provision states that “child” includes a stillborn child.
  • Death-related cases: the Code contains special rules affecting how long maternity benefit remains payable if the woman or child dies. This calculator does not model those exceptional cases.
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Frequently asked

FAQ

How much leave is available for the first, second and third child?

This calculator applies 26 weeks (182 calendar days) for the first and second child, with up to 8 weeks before the expected delivery date. From the third child onward, it applies 12 weeks (84 calendar days), with up to 6 weeks before the expected delivery date. The central law is technically worded by the number of surviving children, so exceptional circumstances should be checked separately.

Can maternity leave start before the expected delivery date?

Yes. For the 26-week category, not more than 8 weeks may precede the expected delivery date. For a woman with two or more surviving children, not more than 6 weeks may precede expected delivery.

What is the leave after miscarriage or MTP?

Six weeks (42 calendar days) with wages immediately following the day of miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy, subject to prescribed proof.

What is the leave after tubectomy?

Two weeks (14 calendar days) with wages immediately following the day of the tubectomy operation, subject to prescribed proof.

What about adoption and surrogacy?

A woman who legally adopts a child below three months of age and a commissioning mother are entitled to 12 weeks (84 calendar days) of maternity benefit from the date the child is handed over.

Does the calculator decide whether ESI or the employer must pay?

No. The Code contains coordination rules with ESI maternity benefit. If you are insured and qualified under ESI, the payment route can differ. The calculator therefore shows an ESI guidance note rather than making a definitive coverage decision.

Are my maternity dates stored?

No. The calculator does not send or save the dates, child count, wage figures or event selection to an ALT4 server. Calculations run in your browser. Third-party services loaded by the page, such as AdSense and the public visitor counter, operate separately and do not receive the calculator form values from this script.

Can an employer offer more maternity leave?

Yes. The Code preserves more favourable benefits available under an award, agreement, contract of service or other arrangement.

Disclaimer: This tool provides a general calculation based on central statutory provisions and the information you enter. State rules, service rules, ESI qualification, establishment status, employer policies, medical documentation and more favourable contractual benefits may affect the final entitlement. For a disputed or high-stakes case, verify with HR, the appropriate labour authority or a qualified legal professional.