The Central Government has introduced significant amendments to the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, to provide maternity benefits for women government employees opting for surrogacy. Under the revised rules notified by the Personnel Ministry, women employees who become "commissioning mothers" through surrogacy are now eligible for 180 days of maternity leave. This rule extension also includes provisions for child care leave for commissioning mothers with less than two surviving children.

Moreover, the amendments introduce paternity leave of 15 days for "commissioning fathers," allowing male government employees in such situations to take leave within six months from the child's delivery date. Previously, there were no specific provisions for maternity leave in cases of surrogacy for women government employees.

The updated rules clarify that the "surrogate mother" refers to the woman carrying the child on behalf of the commissioning mother, while the "commissioning father" is defined as the intended father of the child born through surrogacy. These changes mark a progressive step towards accommodating diverse family structures among government employees, ensuring equitable leave benefits in line with evolving societal norms and practices.