The National Commission for Women has submitted a 37-point report to the Centre seeking a major overhaul of India’s maternity and childcare framework.

The key proposals include gender-neutral child care leave, with 730 days of leave split equally between both parents. The report also calls for mandatory paid paternity leave in the private and unorganised sectors.

The Commission has proposed a National Childcare Infrastructure Mission to create five lakh creche seats by 2030 through cooperation between the Centre and the states. The recommendations were sent to the Department of Personnel and Training, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The report spans nine areas, including maternity benefits, childcare infrastructure, nursing and lactation support, and prevention of workplace discrimination. It also wants maternity and childcare benefits extended to informal, gig and platform workers.

The Commission noted that more than 90 percent of women workers remain outside effective maternity coverage. The report is based on a national consultation held on May 5, 2026, at the Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi.