What was announced
Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, while presenting the 2026-27 State Budget on July 10, 2026, outlined three key welfare measures for government employees. First, all government employees will now be entitled to 14 days of paternity leave. Second, paid maternity leave benefits, previously available to regular government employees, will be extended to women employees working in all government societies and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Third, the budget proposes to extend the benefit of 50 percent Compensatory Family Pension (CFP) to the families of government employees who die in service within one year of joining, provided their appointment date was on or after April 1, 2017. This pension benefit will be granted prospectively from the date of sanction.Why it matters
The introduction of paternity leave is a significant step towards promoting shared parental responsibilities and encouraging fathers to be more involved in early childcare. This policy aligns with modern approaches to family welfare and gender equality in the workplace. By extending paid maternity leave to women in government societies and PSUs, the Assam government is ensuring a broader segment of its female workforce receives crucial support during and after childbirth, bringing them on par with regular state government employees. The expansion of family pension benefits offers enhanced financial security to families of employees who face the unfortunate event of death early in their service, providing a safety net for dependents. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently emphasized his government’s commitment to employee welfare and a corruption-free administration.Background
Paternity leave in India for state government employees varies significantly by state, with some offering benefits similar to the central government, which provides 15 days of paternity leave. States like Kerala offer 10 days, while Tamil Nadu mirrors the central government’s 15-day provision. Assam’s new policy of 14 days places it among the states actively providing this benefit. Regarding maternity leave, the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961, amended in 2017, mandates 26 weeks of paid maternity leave for women in establishments with ten or more employees, covering both public and private sectors for the first two children. For subsequent children, adoptive mothers, and commissioning mothers, the leave is 12 weeks. The Assam government’s decision to extend these benefits to women in government societies and PSUs ensures uniform application across a wider array of state-controlled entities. The concept of family pension in Assam has evolved over time. Under the Scheme of 1964, family pension is granted to the family of a government servant who dies in service or after retirement, typically requiring one year of continuous service for in-service deaths. The previous Compensatory Family Pension (CFP) scheme, introduced in April 2017, entitled dependents to 100 percent of the last pay drawn for a period up to the date of deemed superannuation, provided the employee had completed a minimum of one year of continuous service. The current budget refines this by extending the 50 percent CFP benefit even to those who die within one year of joining, if appointed after April 1, 2017, thereby broadening the safety net for newer recruits. The 2026-27 State Budget, presented by Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, is the first full budget of the second consecutive government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. It outlines a five-year development roadmap focusing on infrastructure, welfare, agriculture, education, and employment generation. The budget also aims to reduce the fiscal deficit to 3 percent of the state’s projected GSDP.Key details
The newly introduced paternity leave grants male government employees 14 days of paid leave. This provision is intended to promote greater parental involvement in childcare and shared family responsibilities. For women employees, the expansion means that those working in government societies and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) will now receive paid maternity leave benefits, equivalent to those enjoyed by regular state government employees. This standardises the benefit across various government-affiliated bodies. The enhanced family pension benefit specifically targets families of government employees who unfortunately pass away within one year of joining service. To be eligible, the employee must have been appointed on or after April 1, 2017. The benefit will provide 50 percent Compensatory Family Pension (CFP) and will be applied prospectively from the date of sanction.Reactions
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma commented on the broader budget, stating that it is “revenue-and-tax-neutral” and reflects the pledges made in the BJP’s election manifesto. He highlighted the budget’s key priorities, including human development and women-centric welfare. The government’s initiatives are aimed at strengthening social security, promoting gender-sensitive workplace policies, and enhancing the overall welfare of government employees and their families, according to officials.“The initiative aims to encourage greater parental involvement in childcare and promote shared family responsibilities,” a government statement said regarding the paternity leave.