An insured woman covered under the ESI Act 1948 delivers her second child. For what maximum period and at what rate is maternity benefit payable to her?

• A 12 weeks at 100 percent of wages
• B 16 weeks at 75 percent of wages
• C 26 weeks at 100 percent of wages ✓
• D 26 weeks at 80 percent of wages

Explanation

ESIC maternity benefit was enhanced to 26 weeks of paid leave at full wages (100 percent of standard benefit rate), aligning with the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017. The old figure of 12 weeks remains the most common wrong answer because candidates remember the pre-amendment duration. No ESI cash benefit is ever paid below the 70 percent sickness rate, eliminating the reduced-rate options.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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