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Topic 037 · Law, Judiciary & Landmark Judgments

Adoptive mothers' maternity benefit: age cap struck down

10 MCQs · tap an option to check it · All answers

Revise the 12 points first Book 1 RATNA

Core Trigger: On 17 March 2026, in Hamsaanandini Nanduri v Union of India, the Supreme Court struck down Section 60(4) of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
Struck Provision: The provision gave adoptive mothers maternity benefit only if the adopted child was under three months old.
Deciding Court: The Supreme Court of India, headed by the Chief Justice of India, decided the challenge.
New Entitlement: Adoptive and commissioning mothers now receive twelve weeks of benefit from the date the child is handed over.
Earlier Law: The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 was amended in 2017 to cover adoptive mothers.
Successor Law: The Code on Social Security, 2020 subsumes the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
India Link: The ruling widens labour-law protection, so adoptive mothers get benefit regardless of the child's age.
Venue: The Supreme Court of India sits at Tilak Marg, New Delhi.
Founded: The Maternity Benefit Act came into force in 1961.
Landmark: Municipal Corporation of Delhi v Female Workers (Muster Roll) (2000): the Supreme Court extended maternity benefit to daily-wage women workers.
Articles: Article 14 bars unreasonable classification, Article 21 protects dignity, and Article 42 directs the State to secure just conditions and maternity relief.
Doctrine: Reasonable classification needs an intelligible differentia and a rational nexus with the object; the child's age had no such nexus.

Question 1 of 10

On 17 March 2026 the Supreme Court struck down which Section of the Code on Social Security, 2020 in Hamsaanandini Nanduri v Union of India?

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Answer: (B) Section 60(4)

Core Trigger: On 17 March 2026, in Hamsaanandini Nanduri v Union of India, the Supreme Court struck down Section 60(4) of the Code on Social Security, 2020.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 037, point 1

Question 2 of 10

The struck provision gave adoptive mothers maternity benefit only if the child was under what age?

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Answer: (B) Three months

Struck Provision: The provision gave adoptive mothers maternity benefit only if the adopted child was under three months old.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 037, point 2

Question 3 of 10

The challenge in Hamsaanandini Nanduri was decided by the Supreme Court headed by whom?

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Answer: (A) Chief Justice of India

Deciding Court: The Supreme Court of India, headed by the Chief Justice of India, decided the challenge.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 037, point 3

Question 4 of 10

Consider: 1. Adoptive and commissioning mothers now receive twelve weeks of benefit. 2. The benefit runs from the date of the child's birth. Which of the statements is/are correct?

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Answer: (A) Only 1

New Entitlement: Adoptive and commissioning mothers now receive twelve weeks of benefit from the date the child is handed over.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 037, point 4

Question 5 of 10

In which year was the Maternity Benefit Act amended to cover adoptive mothers?

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Answer: (B) 2017

Earlier Law: The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 was amended in 2017 to cover adoptive mothers.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 037, point 5

Question 6 of 10

The Code on Social Security, 2020 subsumes which earlier maternity law?

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Answer: (B) Maternity Benefit Act

Successor Law: The Code on Social Security, 2020 subsumes the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 037, point 6

Question 7 of 10

The Supreme Court that decided Hamsaanandini Nanduri v Union of India sits at which address?

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Answer: (A) Tilak Marg, New Delhi

Venue: The Supreme Court of India sits at Tilak Marg, New Delhi.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 037, point 8

Question 8 of 10

In which year did the Maternity Benefit Act come into force?

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Answer: (B) 1961

Founded: The Maternity Benefit Act came into force in 1961.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 037, point 9

Question 9 of 10

Which 2000 case extended maternity benefit to daily-wage women workers?

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Answer: (B) Municipal Corporation of Delhi v Female Workers (Muster Roll)

Landmark: Municipal Corporation of Delhi v Female Workers (Muster Roll) (2000): the Supreme Court extended maternity benefit to daily-wage women workers.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 037, point 10

Question 10 of 10

Consider: 1. Article 14 bars unreasonable classification. 2. Article 42 directs the State to secure maternity relief. Which of the statements is/are correct?

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Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

Articles: Article 14 bars unreasonable classification, Article 21 protects dignity, and Article 42 directs the State to secure just conditions and maternity relief.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 037, point 11

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