Discuss the challenges faced by women athletes in India in resuming competitive careers after maternity. Suggest a policy framework.

In September 2026, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the Centre, the Wrestling Federation of India and the Indian Olympic Association on wrestler Vinesh Phogat's plea for a structured return-to-sport framework after maternity. The case exposes a gap: India protects maternity in workplaces, not in competitive sport.

Challenges in resuming a competitive career

• Legal vacuum: the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 grants 26 weeks of paid leave and mandatory crèches in establishments with 50+ employees, but governs an employer–employee relationship — it does not bind federation selection and nomination criteria [1].
• Structural selection disadvantage: criteria resting largely on performances during the absence period penalise the returning athlete; India has no protected ranking or trial-exemption route, unlike international practice in tennis and athletics.
• Physiological burden: post-partum recovery, and in weight-category sports like wrestling, the added demand of regaining competition weight without a graded re-entry window.
• Financial insecurity: stipends, sponsorships and scheme support are performance-linked, so a maternity break can mean loss of income precisely when costs rise.
• Administrative arbitrariness: absence of federation SOPs pushes disputes into ad hoc disciplinary action (show-cause notices), risking victimisation of athletes asserting their rights.
• Social constraints: childcare responsibilities and the lack of crèche or family accommodation at national camps.

A suggested policy framework

• Use the Safe Sports Policy mandate for women athletes under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 to require every National Sports Federation to notify a maternity return-to-play policy [2].
• Guarantee ranking protection for a defined window, a fair trial opportunity, and continued stipend and medical-rehabilitation support under the athlete-centric National Sports Policy 2025 [3].
• Extend crèche and childcare facilities to SAI centres and national camps, mirroring the 2017 Act's norm [1].
• Provide time-bound appeals through the National Sports Tribunal created under the 2025 Act [4].

Motherhood should not end a sporting career. A clear, published framework converts judicial prodding into durable administrative practice, giving effect to Article 15(3) and advancing SDG-5 on gender equality.