Fixed gap between two pregnancies not needed for maternity leave: HC

Allahabad High Court held that no fixed gap between two pregnancies is required for maternity leave benefits.

Justice Siddharth Nandan ruled that maternity benefits are governed by the Social Security Code, 2020, which does not mandate a timeline between pregnancies.

The court set aside a January 9, 2026 order from the Uttar Pradesh medical education department that rejected nurse Shikha Yadav's maternity leave claim due to a two-year gap rule.

The court directed Yadav to submit a fresh application for maternity leave under the Social Security Code, 2020, overriding Rule 153(1) of the UP Financial Handbook and a 2008 government order.