The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (ESI Act) is one of the most important social security laws in India. It provides financial and medical protection to employees during situations like sickness, maternity, employment injury, and disability. The Act is implemented through the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and continues to play an important role in ensuring social security for workers and their families. With labour law reforms and the introduction of the Code on Social Security, 2020, ESI provisions are also undergoing a transition towards a broader social security framework.
Download UPSC EPFO APFC Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 Quiz PDF
The UPSC EPFO APFC Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 Quiz PDF is useful for revising important concepts related to ESI Act provisions, applicability, ESIC, contribution rates, insured persons, benefits, important sections, and recent updates related to social security laws.
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Attempt UPSC EPFO APFC Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 Quiz
Test your preparation with the UPSC EPFO APFC Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 Quiz and revise important concepts such as objectives of the ESI Act, ESIC functions, coverage, contribution rates, benefits, important sections, and the role of ESI under the broader social security framework.
1. The Employees’ State Insurance Act was enacted in which year?
2. What was the principal objective of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948?
3. Which statutory body administered the ESI Scheme under the 1948 Act?
4. On which date was the ESI Scheme inaugurated historically?
5. Under the historical ESI Act, Section 3 dealt with which subject?
6. Which body functioned as an executive organ of ESIC under the historical ESI Act?
7. Which body under the historical ESI Act advised on administration of medical benefits?
8. Under the historical ESI Act, the Employees’ State Insurance Fund was provided for in which section?
9. Which historical ESI Act section specified the purposes for which the ESI Fund could be spent?
10. Under the historical ESI Act, Section 38 broadly required that:
11. Under the historical ESI Act, which section dealt with contributions?
12. Under the historical ESI Act, who was required to pay both the employer’s and employee’s contributions in the first instance?
13. Can an employer lawfully recover the employer’s own share of ESI contribution from an employee?
14. Under the historical ESI Act, Section 41 primarily concerned:
15. Which section of the historical ESI Act empowered ESIC to determine contributions in certain cases on the basis of available information?
16. Historically, the main statutory benefits under the ESI Act were enumerated in which section?
17. Which of the following was one of the six principal statutory benefits under the historical ESI Act?
18. Sickness benefit under the ESI Scheme is primarily intended to compensate an insured person for:
19. What is the normal qualifying contribution requirement for ordinary sickness benefit under the continuing ESI framework?
20. What is the standard maximum duration of ordinary sickness benefit in two consecutive benefit periods?
Quiz Summary
What is the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948?
The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 was introduced to provide social security benefits to employees working in factories and notified establishments. It provides insured employees and their dependents with medical care and financial assistance during various contingencies. The Act is administered by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
- Enacted in 1948 to provide social security protection to workers.
- Implemented through the ESIC, an autonomous statutory body.
- Covers employees against sickness, maternity, employment injuries, and related risks.
- Provides both cash benefits and medical facilities to insured persons and their families.
What are the objectives of the ESI Act 1948?
The main objective of the ESI Act is to provide financial security and healthcare support to employees during difficult situations. It protects workers from income loss caused due to illness, injury, or employment-related accidents. Major objectives include:
- Providing medical benefits to insured employees and their family members.
- Offering cash compensation during sickness, maternity, and disablement.
- Providing financial support to dependents after employment injury-related death.
- Ensuring rehabilitation support for disabled employees.
- Promoting social security among the working population.
What is the coverage and applicability of the ESI Act 1948?
The ESI Act applies to factories and notified establishments covered under the scheme. It provides social security benefits to employees working in different sectors, including manufacturing and services.
| Particulars | Details |
| Administered By | Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Labour and Employment |
| Applicable To | Factories and notified establishments |
| Employee Coverage | Generally applicable to establishments with 10 or more employees (subject to notified conditions) |
| Wage Limit for Coverage | ₹21,000 per month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities) |
| Coverage Area | Across India |
What are the benefits provided under the ESI Act 1948?
The ESI Act provides various benefits to insured employees and their dependents. These benefits aim to provide healthcare support and financial assistance during medical emergencies and employment-related risks.
| Benefit | Details |
| Medical Benefit | Provides medical care to insured persons and eligible family members. |
| Sickness Benefit | Provides cash compensation during certified sickness for a specified period. |
| Maternity Benefit | Provides paid maternity support to insured women employees. |
| Disablement Benefit | Provides compensation for temporary or permanent disablement due to employment injury. |
| Dependants’ Benefit | Provides financial support to dependents in case of death due to employment injury. |
| Funeral Expenses | Provides financial assistance for funeral-related expenses. |
| Rehabilitation Support | Helps insured persons recover and return to work after disability or injury. |
What are the contribution rates under the ESI Act 1948?
The ESI scheme is funded through contributions made by both employers and employees. These contributions help ESIC provide medical and cash benefits to insured persons.
| Contributor | Contribution Rate |
| Employer | 3.25% of wages |
| Employee | 0.75% of wages |
| Total Contribution | 4% of wages |
Note: Employees earning average daily wages up to the prescribed limit are exempt from paying their contribution.
What are the latest updates related to the ESI Act 1948?
The ESI Act continues to operate under the existing framework, while major labour law reforms are linked with the Code on Social Security, 2020. The Code aims to simplify and consolidate social security laws, including provisions related to ESI.
- The Code on Social Security, 2020 proposes to subsume the ESI Act, 1948.
- ESI-related benefits such as medical, sickness, maternity, disablement, and dependants’ benefits continue to remain important parts of the social security framework.
- The broader social security framework also recognises new categories of workers, including gig and platform workers, through notified schemes.
- ESIC continues to focus on digital services, online facilities, and improvement of healthcare infrastructure.
How is the ESI Act 1948 administered?
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is responsible for implementing and managing the provisions of the ESI Act. It works under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour and Employment and manages healthcare and benefit delivery systems across India.
- Managing ESI hospitals, dispensaries, and medical facilities.
- Providing cash benefits to eligible insured persons.
- Maintaining online services for registration, contribution, and claims.
- Ensuring smooth delivery of social security benefits.
- Representing interests of employees, employers, governments, and medical professionals.
FAQs
The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 is a social security law that provides medical and financial benefits to employees during sickness, maternity, disablement, and employment injury.
The Act is administered by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The main objective of the Act is to provide social security protection and healthcare support to employees and their dependents.
The major benefits include medical benefit, sickness benefit, maternity benefit, disablement benefit, dependants’ benefit, and funeral expenses.
Employees earning wages up to ₹21,000 per month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities) are covered under the ESI scheme.
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