Is There a New Mandate for 15-Day Paternity Leave in India? Seeking Confirmation

Wishing you all a Happy Sai Baba Diwas. I need a small favor. I have heard through some sources that a law has been recently passed for paternity leave as well. The law states that an employee will be eligible for 15 days of compulsory paternity leave for a maximum of 2 children.

I know that most government and private organizations are already implementing this. But I just want to confirm if there is any mandate regarding this. Please let me know if this holds true.

Thanks and best regards,
Kriti

Paternity Leave Provisions

No provision in private organizations, but it depends on their policies.

Government Employees

The Central Government in 1999, by notification under Central Civil Services (Leave) Rule 551 (A), made provisions for paternity leave for a male Central Government employee (including an apprentice and probationer) with less than two surviving children for a period of 15 days to take care of his wife and newborn child. He can avail this leave 15 days before or within 6 months from the date of delivery of the child. If such leave is not availed within the period, it shall be treated as lapsed. For paternity leave, he shall be paid leave salary equal to the pay last drawn immediately before proceeding on leave. Following the Central Government's move, many State governments have also implemented similar provisions for their employees.

Regards,
Pon