Supreme Court Strikes Down Three-Month Rule, Grants Equal Maternity Leave To Adoptive Mothers Too

Delivering a powerful message on equality, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that adoptive mothers cannot be denied maternity leave based on arbitrary age limits. Striking down provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020, the court said there is no rational basis to treat adoptive mothers differently. The bench of JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan underlined that bonding, care, and emotional development are critical regardless of the child’s age. The ruling also opens a larger debate on gender roles, with the court urging the government to introduce paternity leave. This decision is expected to have far-reaching impact on workplace policies and adoption rights in India. It not only removes a key barrier for adoptive parents but also sets a progressive tone for future reforms in family and labour laws.