ESIC — Employees’ State Insurance

ESI is much broader than most employees realise. It is commonly thought of as a deduction on the payslip rather than as an entitlement, which means benefits go unclaimed.

• Employees in a covered establishment earning up to the notified monthly wage limit. The limit is set by notification and has been revised over time — check the current figure on esic.gov.in.
• A higher limit applies to persons with disability.
• Coverage depends on the establishment being in an implemented area and meeting the employee-count threshold.
• Once covered, an employee generally continues to be covered for the contribution period even if wages rise above the limit mid-period.

Both employee and employer contribute at rates notified by the Corporation, calculated on wages. The employer deducts the employee share and deposits both.

The scheme runs on two contribution periods each year, with corresponding benefit periods that follow them. Eligibility for cash benefits depends on having contributed for a minimum number of days in the relevant contribution period — which is why a new employee may have medical benefit immediately but not yet be eligible for sickness benefit.

1. Get your insurance number and ESI e-Pehchan card from your employer after joining.
2. Find your allocated dispensary — it is tied to your registered address, and you should update it if you move.
3. For treatment, go to your dispensary first. Referrals to an ESI hospital or a tied-up institution are made from there.
4. For a cash benefit, obtain the appropriate medical certificate and submit the claim through the dispensary or branch office.
5. Register on the ESIC portal to check your contribution history and entitlement.