New Delhi: The Central government on Wednesday said in Parliament that female and single male government employees are eligible to get 730 days of childcare leave.

While replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Personnel, said that under Rule 43-C of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 an employee is eligible for a leave of a maximum of 730 days during the entire service.

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The rule is applicable for taking care of two children up to the age of 18, the minister said in a written reply. However, the government has not specified any age limit in the case of differently-abled children.

Men employees are entitled to a 15-day leave within six months of birth or adoption. Earlier, in 2022 women’s panel had requested extending paternity leave to reduce burden on mothers.

The announcement came a week after Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced that his government would give 12-month maternity leave and one-month paternity leave to state employees.

16 week Paternity leave in Spain

In order to bring equality, Spain provides 16 weeks of paternity leave, while Sweden has reserved 3 months of leave for fathers. Many European countries grant 164 days of paternity leave to each parent.

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