Under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act 1948, which of the following benefits is provided to an insured employee who sustains a permanent partial disablement due to an employment injury?
- A Disablement benefit at 90% of wages for a limited period of 5 years
- B Disablement benefit as a periodical payment for life, proportional to the degree of loss of earning capacity ✓
- C A lump-sum ex gratia payment only, with no ongoing benefit
- D Disablement benefit equal to sickness benefit rate for the duration of incapacity only
Correct answer: B. Disablement benefit as a periodical payment for life, proportional to the degree of loss of earning capacity
Explanation
Under ESI Act 1948, employment injury benefits include: Temporary disablement benefit (TDB) — 90% of wages during inability to work (no minimum qualifying period). Permanent partial disablement (PPD) benefit — a periodical payment for life at a proportion of the full disablement rate corresponding to the percentage loss of earning capacity. Permanent total disablement benefit — full rate for life (90% of wages). This is superior to Workmen's Compensation Act provisions and is a social insurance model.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.