The Employee State Insurance (ESI) scheme is a comprehensive social security programme covering sickness, maternity, disability, and work-related injuries for employees. Under the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948, all establishments with 10 or more employees (in notified areas) must register with ESIC and contribute to the scheme.
15-digit employer code
Register on the ESIC portal (esic.in) to obtain a 17-digit ESIC employer code. This code identifies your establishment for all ESI contributions, filings, and employee IP (Insurance Number) generation.
Each employee gets an IP number
Every ESI-covered employee gets an Insurance Person (IP) number and an ESI pehchan card — enabling them to access cashless treatment at ESIC dispensaries and hospitals across India.
By 15th of following month
Combined ESI contribution (employer 3.25% + employee 0.75% of gross wages) must be paid and filed by the 15th of the following month through the ESIC online portal.
Twice a year
ESI returns must be filed half-yearly — for the periods April to September (due November 11) and October to March (due May 11) — reporting employee wages and contributions.
ESI registration is mandatory for specific establishment types once the employee threshold is crossed.
Establishments employing 10 or more persons (in states where the threshold is 10) in areas notified under the ESI Act must register with ESIC. Some states have a threshold of 20 employees.
ESI coverage applies to employees earning gross wages up to ₹21,000 per month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities). Employees above this ceiling are excluded from ESI — but the establishment must still register if it has covered employees.
The ESI Act covers factories, shops, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, road motor transport undertakings, and newspaper establishments. Coverage continues even if employee count drops below 10 after registration.
Contract workers employed through a contractor are covered under ESI if the contractor is covered. The principal employer is responsible for ESI compliance for contract workers if the contractor defaults.
ESI is a comprehensive social security net — its benefits go far beyond just medical care.
ESI-covered employees and their dependents get cashless treatment at ESIC hospitals and clinics — and at thousands of empanelled private hospitals. This is a significant benefit, especially for lower-income employees.
Employees get 70% of wages as sickness cash benefit for up to 91 days per year when sick and unable to work — provided they have at least 78 days of contributions in the preceding benefit period.
Female ESI-covered employees receive 100% of wages as maternity benefit for 26 weeks (or 12 weeks for adoption) — funded by ESIC, not the employer.
Non-registration when required or default in contribution attracts penal damages up to 25% of arrears plus interest at 12% per annum, and potential prosecution under Section 85 of the ESI Act.
Providing ESI benefits signals that the employer values employee welfare. In sectors like retail, hospitality, and manufacturing — where ESI-covered employees predominate — this improves employee morale and reduces turnover.
Government tenders and CSR programs often mandate ESIC registration and compliance certificates from contractors and suppliers — making it a commercial necessity for B2G businesses.
ESIC registration is fully online — our team manages the complete process.
Scroll through the steps — or skip the queue and let our experts handle every one of them for you.
Get Expert HelpGather business details — legal name, address, industry type, date of commencement, employee list with wages, PAN, and bank details. Also collect employee Aadhaar and bank account details for IP generation.
Create an employer account on esic.in. Fill the Form 01 online — providing establishment details, nature of business, and details of the principal employer.
Complete Form 01 with all required information and submit. The portal generates an employer code number immediately upon successful submission.
After employer registration, add all covered employees on the portal — entering their details to generate individual Insurance Person (IP) numbers and ESI pehchan cards.
File the first monthly return on the ESIC portal — reporting each employee's gross wages and computing ESI contributions. Pay the challan online by the 15th.
Download ESI pehchan cards from the portal for each enrolled employee. Employees must carry these cards to access cashless treatment at ESIC facilities.
Both establishment and employee documents are needed for complete ESIC registration.
Certificate of Incorporation, Shop Act Licence, Partnership Deed, or GST registration — confirming the legal existence of the establishment.
PAN card of the company or firm.
Electricity bill or rent agreement for the registered address.
Employees whose gross salary exceeds ₹21,000 per month are excluded from ESI coverage. However, if an employee's salary increases above ₹21,000 mid-year, they continue to contribute ESI until the end of the current contribution period (March or September) — then exit.
Monthly contribution filing and half-yearly returns are the backbone of ESIC compliance.
File the ESI ECR and pay the combined contribution (employer 3.25% + employee 0.75%) by the 15th of each following month. Late payment attracts simple interest at 12% per annum.
Submit Form 6 (half-yearly return) by November 11 (for April–September period) and May 11 (for October–March period) — listing all employees, wages, and contributions.
Add new joiners within 10 days of joining. Process exits and salary revisions promptly — wage changes affect contribution amounts and must be updated for the correct challan to be generated.
Employers covered under the ESI Act who skip registration or deposits face heavy penalties and prosecution. We register and file on your behalf so employee welfare compliance is never in doubt.
Headcount and wage-ceiling monitored against the 10-employee, ₹21,000 wage threshold so registration is timely.
Employer and employee contributions calculated and deposited on schedule every month.
Consistent compliance that keeps your business clear of ESIC penalties and inspection issues.
IP number generation and medical benefit enrollment handled for every covered employee.
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