Question

Under the ESI Act, the maximum duration of Extended Sickness Benefit for an insured person with tuberculosis is:

• A. 91 days
• B. 1 year
• C. 2 years
• D. 4 years

Hint:

91 days is the ordinary benefit; the extended one for chronic TB lasts much longer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Ordinary sickness benefit under the ESI scheme is paid for up to 91 days in a year.
Step 2: For certain specified long-term diseases, including tuberculosis, an insured person who has been in continuous employment for the qualifying period is entitled to Extended Sickness Benefit on top of the ordinary benefit.
Step 3: This Extended Sickness Benefit is payable for a maximum period of 2 years for the listed chronic conditions such as tuberculosis.
So the answer is 2 years.
Ref: Park Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 24e, p.854.