Navigating Paid Maternity Leave: How Can I Manage Costs and Claim ESI Benefits?

Dear Madam/Sir,

I am working as an Assistant Professor at one of the colleges in Mysore for the past 8 years. I am currently eight months pregnant. The management has asked me to take a one-year maternity leave with pay. I have both PF and ESI benefits. When I inquired about it, the management replied that I can take maternity leave but during this time, I have to pay for a substitute.

I would like to know how to take maternity leave with pay and how to claim delivery expenses under ESI.

Thank you.

Please clarify - The management is asking me to take one year of maternity leave with pay. What is your ESI Insurance Number? Maternity benefit under ESI, subject to eligibility, is to the extent of 26 weeks.