( CNN ) Gaze across the painted portraits adorning the walls of India 's biggest bank , and you 'll find row after row of men -- with one exception . Arundhati Bhattacharya is the first woman to head the State Bank of India in its 208-year-history , and she 's shaking up the rules on maternity leave like never before . In Bhattacharya 's workplace , employees are allowed to take sabbaticals for two years -- a huge relief for many women who fear they 'll be penalized for taking time out to care for family . `` In India , women are still the primary caregivers . Whether it be for children , whether it be for old people or sick people , you are the primary caregiver . No matter what position you are in , '' said 58-year-old Bhattacharya , who in 2013 also became the youngest person to be appointed chairman of the company . `` We have allowed a special sabbatical of two years , which people can take three times in their career , usually for reasons of child-rearing or looking after sick people . '' It 's a bold move for most western workplaces -- let alone in India , a country known for its patriarchal nature . But the 36th most powerful woman in the world according to Forbes , is n't a person held back by tradition . Here , Bhattacharya opens up about running a company that controls a whopping fifth of India 's bank assets . On rising to challenges : . `` If you are really challenged , and if you are willing to take the plunge , very often some of the path opens up in front of you . '' On India 's patriarchal society : . `` I still see a lot of recruitment of women . But I think we need to do more in order to get them to stay . There are still too few people staying put for them to have a good shot at the top jobs . '' On two-year sabbaticals : . `` A large number of women who have taken time off have actually come and thanked me because they said : 'You know , this feeling of guilt is terrible , ' So if they 're able to take off then they stop feeling guilty . '' On the mentor who encouraged her to stay : . `` His name is Mr. M.S Verma and he really told me that : 'You 've worked long and hard , you are just about beginning to reap the awards , and you will not give up and you will try your best . ' `` Only when you find for sure that nothing is working , then you should start having these thoughts . Not now . '' Watch : Five things you did n't know about Christine Lagarde . Insight : Can failing be good for your career ?
Meet the first woman to head the Overseas Bank in 208 years . Bringing in groundbreaking women on two - year contracts . The workers say they no longer feel guilty about time off .