Maternity beneifit leave

Employer can provide by its sweet will.

Employer can even provide superior benefits than as  provided in the Act by its sweet will.

As per the latest amendment, the lotal maternity leave available is 26 weeks for both pre delivery and post delivery and where you can take a maximum of 12 weeks before the delivery and rest 14 weeks after delivery. 

In my opinion, you can take a max leave of 12 weeks before delivery. In case you take 8 weeks leave before delivery, you will not be entitled to carry forward your 4 weeks leave with 14 weeks of post delivery leave period.

Before the amendments also many private establishments have been providing by its sweet will, 180days Maternity Benfit i.e. superior benefit as provided for in Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

.The Act allows employer to provide superior benefits.

The provisions of Maternity Benefit ( Amendmnet ) Act, 2017 shall apply from date it is made applicable.

For past period you can request employer and employer can provide by its sweet will.