EAC-PM Recommends Gender-Neutral Parental Leave and Extended Paternity Benefits

The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has recommended expanding paternity leave and introducing gender-neutral parental leave policies in India to improve childcare support and boost female workforce participation. In a paper titled Re-imagining the Care Economy: From Private Burden to Social and Economic Infrastructure, the council argued that the current childcare framework places most caregiving responsibilities on women, leading to the “motherhood penalty” that affects women’s employment opportunities and career growth.

The report, authored by Shamika Ravi along with researchers from Nikore Associates and NIPFP, noted that India’s parental leave structure remains heavily maternity-focused. While central government male employees receive 15 days of paternity leave, there is no statutory mandate for private sector workers. The council highlighted that countries such as Sweden and Iceland have adopted gender-neutral parental leave systems with dedicated leave quotas for fathers, helping distribute caregiving responsibilities more equally.

The EAC-PM suggested a phased reform plan beginning with statutory paternity leave in the private sector, followed by broader gender-balanced parental leave policies. The council also referred to a 2024 advisory by India’s Ministry of Labour and Employment encouraging workplaces to support flexible working arrangements and shared caregiving responsibilities for both men and women. According to the report, such reforms could improve maternal health, child development, economic security, and women’s participation in the labour force.

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