With the armed forces now recruiting women as soldiers, sailors and air warriors under the Agneepath scheme, the Defense Ministry has approved a proposal to grant them maternity, child care and child adoption leave at par with senior officers.
A Defense Ministry official said, “Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved new rules to grant such leave to all women, whether officers or other ranks. “This measure will improve the working conditions of women in the Army and help them better balance the areas of professional and family life.”
According to the ministry, “With the issuance of these rules, all women in the army will get these leaves equally, whether they are officers or working in any other rank.”
The ministry said that “this step will improve the working conditions for women in the army and help them better balance professional and family life.”
Officials said that at present, women officers get 180 days of maternity leave with full salary for each child, provided there is a maximum of two children. While a total of 360 days of child care leave is given during service career, 180 days of leave is given after adoption of a child below one year of age.