Archive · 21 Jul 2026
Telangana High Court Rules on Maternity Leave for Twins
The Telangana High Court has ruled that a woman cannot be denied maternity leave for her second pregnancy just because her first pregnancy resulted in twins.
The court held that the biological occurrence of the birth of a single child or twins is not under the control of the petitioner and denying maternity leave would violate her fundamental rights.
The judgment could have a wider impact on women government employees who are denied maternity benefits because their first pregnancy resulted in multiple births.
The court directed the authorities to grant the lecturer maternity leave from April 14, 2026 to October 11, 2026 with full pay and allowances.
The Telangana High Court ruled that a woman cannot be denied maternity leave for her second pregnancy just because her first pregnancy resulted in twins.
The court held that the biological occurrence of the birth of a single child or twins is not under the control of the petitioner and denying maternity leave would violate her fundamental rights.
The judgment could have a wider impact on women government employees who are denied maternity benefits because their first pregnancy resulted in multiple births.
The court directed the authorities to grant the lecturer maternity leave from April 14, 2026 to October 11, 2026 with full pay and allowances.
The Telangana government and TGSWREIS defended their decision, stating that the petitioner already had two surviving children and was ineligible for maternity leave under the rules.
- Who
- Jadi Swarupa Rani, a government lecturer with the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS)
- What
- The Telangana High Court ruled that a woman cannot be denied maternity leave for her second pregnancy just because her first pregnancy resulted in twins.
- When
- The judgment was delivered on July 15.
- Where
- Telangana High Court
- Why
- The court held that the biological occurrence of the birth of a single child or twins is not under the control of the petitioner and denying maternity leave would violate her fundamental rights.
Petitioner's Argument
Government's Argument
Definition of a Delivery
Petitioner's Argument
The petitioner argued that her first pregnancy resulting in twins should be treated as a single delivery for the purpose of maternity leave.
Government's Argument
The government argued that the petitioner already had two surviving children and was ineligible for maternity leave under the rules.
Interpretation of Rules
Petitioner's Argument
The petitioner contended that a literal reading of the rules would defeat the object of maternity leave legislation.
Government's Argument
The government stated that sanctioning maternity leave contrary to the fundamental rules would invite audit objections and amount to irregular payment of salary and allowances.
- Petitioner
- Jadi Swarupa Rani
- Court
- Telangana High Court
- Date of Judgment
- July 15
- Maternity Leave Period
- April 14, 2026 to October 11, 2026
- Relevant Rule
- Rule 101(a) of the Telangana Fundamental Rules and government order Ms. No. 50, dated May 17, 2014