Before you venture into the new leave policy, you need to ascertain the position in the applicable Standing Orders or the Shop & Establishment Act as the case may be. You need to follow the provisions. In case they are not applicable, you will have to check the position in the neighbouring establishments and try to follow the same.
The suggestions are as follows:
1. Some states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra etc have National & Festival Holidays Act, so it has to be followed for deciding the quantum and the necessary number of days. (Many states have declared 1st May & 14th April as National holidays)
2. As per the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act 2017 , maternity leave has been increased, the duration of paid maternity leave available for women employees from the existing 12 weeks to 26 weeks. This benefit could be availed by women for a period extending up to a maximum of 8 weeks before the expected delivery date and the remaining time can be availed after childbirth. For women who are having 2 or more surviving children, the duration of paid maternity leave shall be 12 weeks (i.e. 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after expected date of delivery).
Maternity leave for adoptive and commissioning mothers:
Maternity leave of 12 weeks to be available to mothers adopting a child below the age of three months from the date of adoption as well as to the "commissioning mothers". The commissioning mother has been defined as biological mother who uses her egg to create an embryo planted in any other woman.
You may consult the provision applied and decide the matter.