Dear Jasmeet ,
Private Educational Institutions are already covered by the Payment of Gratuity Act,1972 as 'establishment' by means of notification u/s 1(3)(c) of the Act. In addition, they are also covered by the EPF Act,1952. Therefore, the Maternity Benefit Act,1961 is applicable to them by virtue of the provisions of sec.2(1)(b) of the Act.
Hence a woman employed in any private educational institution is eligible for all the maternity benefits under the Act including leave with full salary/wages for 26 weeks, had she worked in the institution for 80 days in the preceding 12 months prior to the date of her expected delivery.