University Grants Commission (UGC) has made a provision in the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M. Phil. / Ph. D.  Degrees) Regulations 2016 "the women candidate may be provided Maternity Leave/ Child Care Leave once in the entire duration of M. Phil. / Ph. D. for up to 240 days."

The notification issued by Secretary of UGC, Ministry of Education, Government of India, Prof. Rajnish Jain, vide D. O. No. 21-116/ 2021 (CPP-II) dated 14 December 2021, all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have been directed to frame appropriate rules/ norms with regard to granting Maternity Leave to the women enrolled in their respective institution/ affiliated Colleges and also provide all relaxations/ exemptions relating to attendance, extension in date for submitting examination forms or any other facility deemed necessary for women students pursuing Under Graduate and Post Graduate programmes.

(Kiso, IA Peren)