Gazette Notification on Sacred Bond (Parent Care Leave) Act, 2026

Sacred Bond (Parent Care Leave) Act, 2026 Gazette Notification

Bill No. XXV of 2026

A Bill to provide for parent care leave to enable employees to attend to the medical, health and wellbeing needs of their aged parents, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

CLICK HERE (9 pages)

📝 Summary of the Bill

Title & Commencement

• Called the Sacred Bond (Parent Care Leave) Act, 2026.
• To come into force on a date notified by the Central Government.

Definitions

• Covers employees in government and private establishments (with 10+ employees).
• “Parent” includes biological, step, adoptive, foster, or in-law aged 60+.
• “Parent care leave” means leave granted under this Act.

Entitlement

• Employees entitled to 45 days of parent care leave during entire service.
• Leave can be taken in one stretch or multiple spells with employer approval.
• Granted with full pay and allowances, not debited against other leave accounts.

Not encashable.

• Application & Documentation
• Application with prescribed documents (medical certificate, hospital records).
• Emergency leave allowed without prior sanction, subject to documents within 7 days.
• Employer to dispose of applications within 48 hours; refusal must be recorded.

Protection & Penalties

• No adverse service consequences (promotion, transfer, increments) for availing leave.
• Employers denying leave without cause: penalty ₹50,000–₹2,00,000.
• Employees misusing leave with false documents: disciplinary action + refund of salary.

Grievance Redressal

• Government employees: handled under service rules.
• Private sector employees: complaints to Labour Commissioner/authority, resolved within 60 days.

Rule-making Powers

• Appropriate Government empowered to frame rules on procedures, documentation, complaints.
• Rules to be laid before Parliament/State Legislature.

Additional Provisions

• Act supplements existing leave entitlements, not replacing them.
• Central Government may issue orders to remove difficulties.

📌 Statement of Objects & Reasons (Highlights)

• India’s ageing population is rising sharply (projected 34 crore above 60 years by 2050).
• Traditional joint family caregiving is eroding due to urbanization and migration.
• “Sandwich generation” (35–55 years) faces dual caregiving stress for children and parents.
• 75% of elderly suffer chronic diseases; 22% face mental health issues.
• No existing legal provision for parent care leave in India.
• International precedents (NZ, UK, Belgium, Canada) provide similar family care leave.
• Bill ensures employee welfare + organizational balance, with enforcement mechanisms.
• Aims to strengthen family bonds, reduce stress, improve productivity, and honor cultural values.

👉 In short: The Bill introduces 45 days of paid leave for employees to care for aged parents, with strong safeguards against discrimination, penalties for misuse, and grievance mechanisms. It fills a major gap in India’s labour laws by formally recognizing filial caregiving responsibilities.