The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 mandates 26 weeks of paid maternity leave for the first two children (12 weeks thereafter), plus provisions for adoption/commissioning mothers, work-from-home where feasible, and a crèche facility for establishments with 50+ employees. It protects income and job during and after pregnancy - distinct from insurance maternity cover (which pays medical costs).
In India
Among the more generous maternity mandates globally. Progressive employers extend it with parental/paternity leave and phased return-to-work, going beyond the statutory floor.
In practice
An expecting employee takes her full 26 weeks paid leave for her first child; because the company has 120 employees, she also uses the on-site crèche on returning - both statutory entitlements, not discretionary perks.