My application for a government job was stuck in a court case for two years. Thankfully, the court ruled in our favour in November 2016, and I was asked to join immediately. However, I had a baby on October 24th, 2016, just a few weeks before the court order came through. Now, I’m struggling to balance my job and caring for my newborn. Can I still claim maternity benefits, even though I gave birth before the court order?

Under Indian law, maternity benefits are typically calculated from the date of joining the job, not the date of delivery. Since you joined the job after the court order, you are eligible for maternity benefits based on your joining date, even though you delivered earlier. However, specific rules may vary depending on the employer and the applicable state laws, so it’s best to consult with your HR department for clarification.