Since your wife attended the school on the 19th Oct, i.e. the day before the holiday started, she can apply for the Maternity leave from the 7th Nov,2012. She may however, apply for that leave from any other subsequent date as Maternity leave may be combined with leave of any other kind (other than CL), but in that case she will have to apply for any other kind of leave (Commuted or Earned) for the period from 7th November to the date before the date of commencement of maternity leave.