Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017? 1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-delivery and three months post-delivery paid leave. 2. Enterprises with crèches must allow the mother minimum six crèche visits daily. 3. Women with two children get reduced entitlements. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (c)
• The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 raised paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks, of which up to 8 weeks may be taken before delivery — so statement 1 (three months before and after) is wrong.
• Statement 2 is wrong: establishments with 50+ employees must provide a crèche and allow four visits a day, not six.
• Statement 3 is correct: a woman who already has two or more surviving children gets only 12 weeks' leave.
• The Act also gives 12 weeks to adoptive and commissioning mothers and allows work-from-home by agreement.
• Hence 3 only, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statements 1 and 2 are wrong: leave is 26 weeks (8 pre-delivery) and crèche visits are four.
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: four crèche visits, not six.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Statements 1 and 2 are wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.