A 40-year-old insured textile worker under ESI develops pulmonary tuberculosis and requires prolonged treatment with incapacity exceeding 91 days. His claim is upgraded to Extended Sickness Benefit. Beyond the usual 91 days of sickness benefit, for how long can Extended Sickness Benefit be drawn?

• A Up to 309 additional days ✓
• B Up to 180 additional days
• C Up to 130 additional days
• D Up to 365 additional days

Explanation

Extended Sickness Benefit applies to about 34 specified long-duration diseases such as tuberculosis, malignancy, leprosy and paraplegia. It is paid at 75% of wages and may run up to 309 days within a total span of 2 years, giving 91 days of sickness benefit plus 309 days of ESB. Option B reflects a common misremembering of the figure; the statute caps ESB at exactly 309 days.

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.