Can a woman be denied maternity leave after having twins under two-child policy? Telangana HC ruling answers

The Telangana High Court has ruled that a woman government employee cannot be denied maternity leave for her second pregnancy solely because she gave birth to twins during her first pregnancy, as per a TOI report. The court held that a literal interpretation of the state's two-child norm would defeat the purpose of maternity leave, which is meant to safeguard the health of women employees and enable them to continue in service.

Justice K. Sarath delivered the ruling on Wednesday while hearing a petition filed by Jadi Swarupa Rani, a 35-year-old junior English lecturer at a Telangana government girls' college in Mancherial district, TOI reports.

Why was maternity leave denied?

The petitioner gave birth to twins in her first pregnancy in 2023. When she delivered her third child through a second pregnancy in April 2026, the college authorities rejected her application for maternity leave.


The administration argued that because she already had two surviving children from her first delivery, she was ineligible for maternity leave under the state's two-child norm.

Petitioner challenges interpretation of rules

Representing the petitioner, counsel Gattu Vinay Kumar argued that the birth of twins was a biological event beyond her control and that denying maternity benefits for a subsequent pregnancy violated her fundamental rights.

The society governing the college opposed the petition, citing service rules issued in 2010 and 2014. Its counsel argued that maternity leave was available only to married women employees with fewer than two surviving children.

The state also contended that extending benefits beyond the prescribed eligibility would impose an unnecessary financial burden on the government.

High Court rejects 'rigid' interpretation

Rejecting the state's interpretation, the High Court said the issue was not the validity of the rule itself but how it should be applied in cases where a woman's first pregnancy results in twins.

The court observed that a strict reading of the rule would undermine the objective of maternity leave.

"A literal interpretation would defeat the very objective of maternity leave, which is intended to protect the health of women and enable them to continue in employment," the judge said.

Court cites precedents from other states

Justice Sarath referred to a Madras High Court precedent, noting that Tamil Nadu had amended its rules to allow maternity leave for an additional delivery in such cases. The court also observed that Andhra Pradesh had removed the restriction on the number of surviving children for availing maternity leave.

Court directs full salary and benefits

Allowing the petition, the High Court held that the petitioner was entitled to maternity leave for her second pregnancy from April 14, 2026, to October 11, 2026, covering a period of 180 days.

The court directed the authorities to grant the leave and pay her full salary and allowances for the entire period.

(With inputs from TOI)