Question

The maximum period for which any woman shall be entitled to maternity benefit shall be _______ weeks of which not more than _______ weeks shall precede the date of her expected delivery.

• A. 26; 8
• B. 12; 6
• C. 24; 12
• D. 18; 6

Hint:

The 2017 amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act is significant. Remember the new limits: 26 weeks total leave, with up to 8 weeks available before delivery.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This question refers to the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, as amended by the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017.

Section 5(3) of the amended Act increased the total duration of paid maternity leave to twenty-six weeks.

The proviso to this section states that the woman can avail this benefit for a period not earlier than eight weeks from the date of her expected delivery.
Therefore, the correct combination is 26 weeks in total, with a maximum of 8 weeks before the expected delivery date.