Family leave India’s courts tackle the motherhood penalty Recent case law suggests judiciary are increasingly linking maternity leave to constitutional guarantees of equality iStock.com/EyeEm Mobile GmbH Image Chantelle Cloete Reporter Tuesday 13 October 2026 Maternity leave cannot be used to deny a woman a promotion she would otherwise deserve, India’s Madras High Court has ruled, adding to a growing body of decisions seeking to protect women from care Get AccessContinue reading International Employment LawyerAlready have access? Login now Email Enter your email address. Password Enter the password that accompanies your email address. Reset your passwordLog in Need access? Find out how to enjoy unlimited accessGet access You might also like... Disputes Indian court puts substance over title in maternity leave case Family leave India’s Supreme Court backs maternity leave for adoptive mothers Misclassification Why the nature of work defines the worker in India Compliance India tightens rules on POSH compliance, maternity benefits