Raghav Chadha Urges Legal Paternity Leave In India, Calls for Equal Parenting Responsibility
Raghav Chadha Urges Legal Paternity Leave In India, Calls for Equal Parenting Responsibility
New Delhi, March 31, 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has called for the introduction of a legal framework for paternity leave in India, highlighting the need for shared parental responsibility after childbirth.
Raising the issue during the ongoing Parliament session, Chadha emphasised that caregiving duties should not rest solely on mothers. He pointed out that while both parents are celebrated at the birth of a child, the burden of childcare often falls disproportionately on women.
He argued that fathers frequently face a difficult choice between supporting their families during childbirth and maintaining their professional commitments. According to him, this imbalance underscores the need for a structured policy that allows fathers to be present during the early stages of a child’s life.
Chadha stressed that a father’s presence is crucial for both emotional and practical support to the mother, especially immediately after childbirth. He noted that parenting should be treated as a shared responsibility and that existing laws must evolve to reflect this reality.
His remarks come amid similar observations from the Supreme Court of India, which recently highlighted the importance of both parents in a child’s development and emphasised that fathers should have the opportunity to actively participate in early childcare.
Currently, India does not have a dedicated law mandating paternity leave in the private sector. While maternity benefits are governed under existing legislation, paternity leave policies largely depend on individual company practices. For government employees, limited provisions exist under service rules, allowing a short period of paid leave.
The issue has been discussed previously in Parliament, but no comprehensive legislation has been enacted so far. Chadha’s remarks have once again brought attention to the need for policy reform in line with changing social dynamics and global practices.
Experts note that several countries have already implemented structured parental leave systems, offering shared benefits to both parents. Chadha’s proposal is expected to revive discussions on creating a more balanced and inclusive parental leave policy in India.
