The Assam government has announced 14 days of paid paternity leave for state government employees as part of its 2026-27 State Budget. The move is aimed at encouraging fathers to actively take part in caring for their newborn children. Along with this, the government has also expanded maternity leave and family pension benefits to improve social security for employees and their families.
Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah announced this while presenting the Budget in the Assam Legislative Assembly on 10th July. The new measures are aimed at supporting working families, encouraging shared parenting and creating a more employee-friendly work environment.
Two weeks of paid leave for new fathers
Under the new policy, state government employees will be entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave after the birth of a child. With this decision, Assam has become one of the few states to introduce a paternity leave policy for its employees.
Fatherhood begins on day one, and those moments can never be relived.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 11, 2026
Introducing Paternity Leave for State Govt employees- a 2 week paid leave for fathers to be with their families.#AssamCares pic.twitter.com/JXqlA5vJlq
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the move, saying that fatherhood begins from the very first day and those early moments with a newborn cannot be experienced again. In a post on X, he said the new leave provision will allow fathers to stay with their families during this important phase.
The Chief Minister also pointed out that while mothers already receive maternity leave, fathers often had to depend on casual leave to stay with their wives during the first few days after childbirth, especially when the mother and baby are still in the hospital. He said the new policy recognises the father’s role in caring for both the newborn and the mother.
Maternity leave extended to PSU and society employees
The Budget also brings relief to women working in government societies and public sector undertakings (PSUs). The government has decided to extend paid maternity leave to women employees in these organisations, giving them the same benefit that is already available to regular government employees.
The move is expected to ensure equal workplace benefits for women across different government organisations and strengthen gender-sensitive employment policies.
Family pension benefit widened
Another important proposal in the Budget is the expansion of the Compensatory Family Pension (CFP) scheme. Families of government employees appointed on or after 1st April 2017, who die in service within one year of joining, will now receive 50 % Compensatory Family Pension. The benefit will be provided prospectively from the date of sanction.
According to the government, these welfare measures are designed to improve financial security for employees’ families while also promoting equal parenting responsibilities and better support for women in the workplace. The announcements form part of the Assam government’s broader effort to strengthen employee welfare through the 2026-27 State Budget.
