For claiming maternity benefit, which is a leave benefit with wages and continuity of service, salary is not at all a criterion. However, a minimum service of 80 days in the establishment during the preceding 12 months prior to the expected date of delivery is required. This leave comprises 26 weeks in total, of which 8 weeks can be availed of before the day of delivery, and the remaining 18 weeks after delivery or as a stretch of the entire 26 weeks from the day of delivery.