UPSC Prelims 2019 · GS Paper I
Question 76: Economy and Social Development
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.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Only statement 3 is correct. The 2017 amendment raised paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks, with up to 8 weeks before delivery and the rest after, not three months before and three after. This applies for the first two children; a woman who already has two or more children gets 12 weeks. A crèche is mandatory for establishments with 50 or more employees, and four visits a day are allowed, not six.
- 1. The leave is 26 weeks, with up to 8 weeks before delivery.
- 2. Four crèche visits a day are allowed, not six.
- 3. A woman who already has two or more children gets 12 weeks.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a), (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: Four crèche visits a day are allowed, not six.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 3.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Statements 1 and 2 are both wrong.
- (b) Four crèche visits, not six, are allowed.
- (c) Correct: reduced leave for women with two children is the only correct statement.
- (d) Statements 1 and 2 are false.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.