A study conducted by Prarthana Dutta and Mithilesh Kumar Jha from the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati examines the historical context of maternity benefits in India, particularly their connection to population control efforts in the 1960s. The research, published in Modern Asian Studies, revisits the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 and the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill of 1956, noting that while the Act was initially designed to enhance maternal and infant health, it faced scrutiny for potentially increasing birth rates, which was seen as detrimental to the national family planning program. Notably, Shakuntala Paranjpye's proposed amendment to limit benefits to the first two deliveries reflected a neo-Malthusian perspective aimed at regulating the reproductive behavior of the working class. Despite intense parliamentary debates, this amendment was ultimately rejected. The researchers argue that the narrative surrounding maternity benefits has evolved, with a greater emphasis on reproductive health and maternal well-being in recent years. The 2017 amendment, which extended maternity leave to 26 weeks, underscores this shift, as population control concerns have diminished in legislative discussions.