Maternity Leave - compulsory to take pre 3 months leave from expected due?

Hi, I am working in corporate company, XXX CENTRAL HOSPITAL. I am under ESI panel from last 3 years and my esi is deducted from same. I want to confirm that , is it compulsory to take pre 3 months leave from expected due date of delivery and post 3 months after the delivery, or I can also take 6 months leave post delivery which is more beneficial to me. My next query is that salary paid by esi to me is for just 3 months or it will be for whole 6 months from when I will be on leave.
kindly reply my query to help me out from this situation.
Yashika chugh
senior executive

It is not mandatory to take three months leave before expected date of birth, though it is so mentioned in the act.

Yashika,
it is on you, how you choose your maternity leave, YES, you can take all leave post delivery, NO RESTRICTIONS................
you are entitled for whole 6 months salary.......
for further clarifications or any legal query you can mail/whatsapp me.