CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has announced a major expansion of maternity benefits for women government employees, increasing leave for the birth of a third child from 12 weeks to 365 days. Human Resources Management Minister D. Sarathkumar made the announcement in the Assembly while replying to the debate on demands for grants for his department.

Under the existing policy, eligible women government employees received 365 days of maternity leave for their first two children, while those with two or more surviving children were entitled to only 12 weeks for another childbirth. The latest announcement brings maternity leave for the third child in line with the benefit available for the first two children.

The change comes as the state government shifts its family-planning approach towards family well-being. The move is expected to provide women employees with more time for postnatal recovery, childcare and family responsibilities without having to return to work within a short period after delivery.

The decision also follows a Madras High Court ruling earlier in 2026 that questioned restrictions limiting maternity leave for a third pregnancy to 12 weeks and stressed that maternity benefits should not be reduced merely because of the number of pregnancies.

The extension is one of the most significant employee-welfare announcements made during the Assembly session. By allowing a full year of leave for a third childbirth, the government has removed the earlier difference in maternity benefits based on the number of children.

The measure is likely to benefit women working across Tamil Nadu government departments and strengthen workplace support for mothers. Reports said government employee associations and women employees welcomed the announcement.

Sarathkumar also announced a new mobile application called Vetri Paathai for students preparing for competitive examinations. The app will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 20 lakh and is aimed at candidates appearing for examinations conducted by the TNPSC, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection and other recruitment agencies.

Competitive examination coaching centres will also be linked with knowledge centres with infrastructure improvements estimated at Rs 1.3 crore, giving aspirants wider access to training and study facilities.

The Human Resources department also announced plans for a Social Media Monitoring Centre at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh to track whistle-blower disclosures, viral videos, sting-operation footage and related information. Advanced CCTV facilities are also planned for the Tamil Nadu Information Commission.

Under the government’s Simple Governance initiative, 150 public services are planned to be delivered during the current financial year. Together with the maternity-leave expansion and new competitive-exam support measures, the announcements signal a broader push towards employee welfare, recruitment support and digital public administration in Tamil Nadu.