For Nationalised Banks, please refer the standing orders. The benefits will be provided as per the Standing Orders. I understand that there is separate clause disallowing or allowing women such benefits during probation. To be specific,the SBI is understood to have a provision in the recruitment and promotion process which requires woman candidates to declare whether she is pregnant and also to certify herself of her menstrual cycle.The same being inhuman and against rights of women and against the provisions of the Equal Remuneration Act which calls for equal right for appointment and promotion irrespective of sex, has now (NOW ONLY!!!!) been challenged by the Trade Union (I think the Union affiliated to CPM) A similar provision in the Life Insurance Corporations's selection process was scrapped by the intervention of the Supreme Court well back in 1991. Regards, Madhu.T.K