Social Security: EPF, ESI, Gratuity and Maternity Benefits (Overview) Questions

Question 1

Define social security. (concept)

Accepted Answer

**Social security** refers to measures that protect workers and families against income loss due to sickness, injury, maternity, old age, etc. (concept).

Question 2

State one objective of social security.

Accepted Answer

To provide **income security** during contingencies like sickness/injury/old age (concept).

Question 3

What is EPF? (concept)

Accepted Answer

**EPF** is a retirement savings scheme where employer and employee make prescribed contributions to build a provident fund corpus (concept).

Question 4

ESI provides medical and sickness benefits. (True/False)

Accepted Answer

True. **ESI** provides medical care and cash benefits such as sickness and employment injury benefits (concept).

Question 5

Define gratuity (concept).

Accepted Answer

**Gratuity** is a lump-sum benefit paid by employer as recognition for long and continuous service (concept).

Question 6

Maternity benefits provide paid leave and job protection. (True/False)

Accepted Answer

True. **Maternity benefits** provide paid leave and protect women employees during pregnancy/childbirth (concept).

Question 7

List any three objectives of social security (points).

Accepted Answer

Any three objectives (concept):

- provide **income security** during sickness/injury/old age
- provide medical care and rehabilitation support (concept)
- protect family through survivor/death benefits (concept)
- reduce poverty and vulnerability of workers
- promote welfare and productivity (concept)

Any three points are sufficient.

Question 8

Differentiate EPF and ESI using a small table (brief).

Accepted Answer

EPF vs ESI (concept):

| Point | **EPF** | **ESI** |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | savings/retirement fund (concept) | insurance: medical + cash benefits |
| Main benefit | retirement corpus | medical care + sickness/injury/maternity benefits (concept) |
| Contributions | employee + employer | employee + employer (as prescribed) (concept) |

Thus, EPF is retirement savings; ESI is health/social insurance (concept).

Question 9

List any three ESI benefits using points/table.

Accepted Answer

ESI benefits (any three) (concept):

- **medical benefit** (treatment for insured person/dependants)
- sickness benefit (cash during certified sickness) (concept)
- employment injury benefit (compensation for workplace injury/disability) (concept)
- maternity benefit (cash support) (concept)

Any three points are sufficient.

Question 10

Explain gratuity eligibility and the computation idea (concept) using a small table.

Accepted Answer

Gratuity (concept):

| Aspect | Overview (concept) |
|---|---|
| **Eligibility** | payable after minimum continuous service; also on death/disablement (special rules) |
| Payment | lump-sum by employer within prescribed time (concept) |
| Computation idea | depends on last drawn wages and years of service (concept) |

Exact conditions vary by law; write concept + table in exams.

Question 11

List any three employer compliance duties for EPF/ESI (use points/table).

Accepted Answer

Employer compliance duties (any three) (concept):

- **registration** of establishment and employee coverage
- timely deduction and deposit of contributions (concept)
- maintain records/registers and file returns (concept)
- facilitate employee claims and cooperate with inspections/audits (concept)

Any three points are sufficient.

Question 12

Differentiate gratuity and provident fund (EPF) using a small table (brief).

Accepted Answer

Gratuity vs EPF (concept):

| Point | **Gratuity** | **EPF** |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | terminal lump-sum benefit | savings fund through contributions (concept) |
| Funding | employer funded | employee + employer contributions (concept) |
| Trigger | payable on exit events (retirement/resignation/death etc.) (concept) | accumulates over service; withdrawal as per rules |

Thus, gratuity is a service-linked terminal benefit; EPF is contribution-based savings (concept).

Question 13

Write an exam-style note on social security: meaning, objectives and schemes (EPF, ESI, gratuity) with a table and conclusion.

Accepted Answer

### Meaning
**Social security** protects workers against income loss due to sickness, injury, maternity, old age and death (concept).

### Objectives (any 4)
- provide **income security** (concept)
- provide medical care and rehabilitation (concept)
- protect families through survivor benefits
- promote welfare and productivity (concept)

### Schemes (table)
| Scheme | Main focus (concept) |
|---|---|
| **EPF** | retirement savings through contributions |
| **ESI** | medical + cash benefits for sickness/injury/maternity |
| **Gratuity** | lump-sum benefit for long service (concept) |

### Conclusion
By combining savings, insurance and terminal benefits, social security improves welfare and stability of employment (concept).

Question 14

Explain maternity benefits: meaning, importance and employer compliance (exam-style) using a table and conclusion.

Accepted Answer

### Meaning
**Maternity benefits** provide paid leave and related protections to women employees during pregnancy/childbirth (concept).

### Importance
- protects health of mother and child (concept)
- provides **income security** and job protection

### Employer compliance (table)
| Area | Compliance action (concept) |
|---|---|
| **Paid leave** | grant maternity leave and pay benefits as prescribed |
| Records | maintain registers/records and process claims (concept) |
| Protection | avoid discriminatory dismissal during maternity period (concept) |

### Conclusion
Proper compliance supports women’s welfare, reduces discrimination, and improves workplace fairness (concept).

Question 15

Describe employer compliance steps for EPF/ESI in a process flow and explain briefly (exam-style).

Accepted Answer

### Compliance flow (concept)
Check coverage → registration under EPF/ESI → deduct employee contribution + add employer contribution → deposit within timelines → maintain records/returns → support claims/inspections → periodic audit/review (concept)

### Brief explanation
Timely contributions and accurate records ensure employees receive benefits without delays and help avoid penalties for non-compliance (concept).

Social Security: EPF, ESI, Gratuity and Maternity Benefits (Overview)

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