Change set

Pick exam & year, then Go.

Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q76 (IAS/2019) Polity & Governance › Governance, Policies & Social Justice › Rights-based legislations Official Key

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.

Result
Your answer: —  Âˇ  Correct: C

Explanation

The correct answer is option C because only statement 3 is correct.

**Statement 1 is incorrect**: The maximum period of maternity leave is 26 weeks, of which up to 8 weeks may be taken before the expected date of delivery[1], not three months (12 weeks) pre-delivery and three months post-delivery as stated.

**Statement 2 is incorrect**: The employer must allow four visits a day by the woman to the crèche which includes the rest intervals[2], not six visits as claimed in the statement.

**Statement 3 is correct**: The policy ensures that eligible women are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave for their first two children, and 12 weeks for subsequent deliveries[3]. This means women with two or more surviving children receive reduced entitlements of only 12 weeks instead of the standard 26 weeks.

Sources
  1. [1] https://www.pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx?Id=150499&reg=3&lang=1
  2. [2] https://www.pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx?Id=150499&reg=3&lang=1
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
43%
got it right

PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN

Guest preview
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017? 1. Pregnant women are entitled fo…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 ¡ 10/10
You're seeing a guest preview. The Verdict and first statement analysis are open. Login with Google to unlock all tabs.

This is a classic 'Fine Print' question. UPSC knows every aspirant memorized the headline '26 weeks', so they attacked the operational details: the pre-delivery split, the exact number of crèche visits, and the multi-child exception. Strategy: For major social acts, do not stop at the 'Key Highlight'; you must read the 'Salient Features' on PRS or PIB to catch the numeric thresholds.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 (India), are pregnant women entitled to three months (approximately 12 weeks) paid leave before delivery and three months paid leave after delivery?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The maximum period of maternity leave is 26 weeks, of which up to 8 weeks may be taken before the expected date of delivery."
Why this source?
  • States the total leave under the 2017 amendment is 26 weeks (not simply two 12-week periods).
  • Specifies that only up to 8 weeks may be taken before the expected date of delivery, contradicting the claim of 12 weeks pre-delivery.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"provides for increased paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, pre-natal leave from 6 weeks to 8 weeks,"
Why this source?
  • Confirms the 2017 amendment increased paid maternity leave to 26 weeks (total).
  • Specifically notes pre-natal leave was increased from 6 weeks to 8 weeks — not 12 weeks before delivery.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The Maternity Benet (Amendment) Act, 2017: Key highlights Increase in Maternity leave Paid maternity leave increased to twenty-six weeks"
Why this source?
  • Official labour ministry material stating paid maternity leave increased to 26 weeks under the 2017 amendment.
  • Supports the overall correction that leave is 26 weeks in total rather than two separate 12-week periods around delivery.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 9: Subsidies > Subsidies > p. 296
Strength: 5/5
“The Act provides additional benefits to: • Pregnant women and lactating mothers: Free meal during pregnancy and up to six months after child birth through Aanganwadi and Rs. 6000 in instalments• Children aged 6 months to 6 years: Free meal at local Aanganwadi• Children aged 6 years to 14 years: Mid-day meal scheme at school”
Why relevant

Lists specific maternal benefits tied to 'during pregnancy and up to six months after childbirth', showing legislation/government schemes treat pregnancy and a defined post‑natal period as a combined entitlement window.

How to extend

A student could infer that statutory maternity provisions often specify durations spanning pre‑ and post‑delivery and therefore check the Act's text for the exact split (pre‑ vs post‑delivery weeks).

Understanding Economic Development. Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: SECTORS OF THE INDIAN ECONOMY > p. 30
Strength: 4/5
“these benefits? They get paid leave, payment during holidays, provident fund, gratuity etc. They are supposed to get medical benefits and, under the laws, the factory manager has to ensure facilities like drinking water and a safe working environment. When they retire, these workers get pensions as well. In contrast, Kamal works in the unorganised sector. The unorganised sector is characterised by small and scattered units which are largely outside the control of the government. There are rules and regulations but these are not followed. Jobs here are low-paid and often not regular. There is no provision for overtime, paid leave, holidays, leave due to sickness etc.”
Why relevant

Explains that organised‑sector workers are 'supposed to get paid leave' under labour laws, indicating maternity leave is typically a statutory paid‑leave benefit for employees in the organised sector.

How to extend

Combine this with knowledge that the Maternity Benefit Act governs organised sector leave to look up the Act/Rule provisions on number and timing of paid leave weeks.

Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge > Anti-Poverty Measures > p. 40
Strength: 3/5
“Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan was launched in 2016 with the aim to reduce maternal and infant mortality by providing quality antenatal care to the pregnant women throughout the country. The scheme works towards safe pregnancies, deliveries and addresses gaps in the service of the maternal care, to ensure constant and regular treatment to the beneficiaries. Services are provided on the ninth day of every month. This programme follows a systematic approach for engagement with private practitioners, motivating them to volunteer in the scheme at government health facilities. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims towards women empowerment in rural areas.”
Why relevant

Describes a 2016 maternal programme providing antenatal care throughout pregnancy on a monthly schedule, highlighting policy attention to prenatal care as a distinct period before delivery.

How to extend

Use this pattern (distinct prenatal services/timeframes) to expect maternity legislation may also distinguish 'before delivery' weeks from 'after delivery' weeks and then verify the exact allotment in the Act.

How to study

This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.

Login with Google to unlock study guidance.

Micro-concepts

Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.

Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.

The Vault

Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.

Login with Google to unlock The Vault.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS ¡ 2024 ¡ Q99 Relevance score: 1.94

With reference to the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan', consider the following statements : 1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility. 2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS ¡ 2018 ¡ Q25 Relevance score: -0.11

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements : 1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains. 2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card. 3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a 'take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CDS-II ¡ 2017 ¡ Q66 Relevance score: -0.27

Which of the following statements about the 73rd and 74 th Constitution Amendment Act is/are correct? 1. It makes it mandatory for all States to establish a three-tier system of Government. 2. Representatives should be directly elected for five years. 3. There should be mandatory reservation of one-third of all seats in all Panchayats at all levels for women. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

IAS ¡ 2023 ¡ Q51 Relevance score: -0.44

Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana : 1. It is a safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women. 3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women. 4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age. How many of the statements given above are correct?

CDS-II ¡ 2025 ¡ Q4 Relevance score: -1.57

Which of the following statements as per the Constitution of India is/are correct ? 1. Provision for the reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha has been made vide 106th Amendment of the Constitution. 2. There are provisions for the reservation of seats for women in the Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils of the States. 3. There are provisions for the reservation of seats for women in Panchayats. Select the answer using the code given below :