ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) is India's comprehensive social security scheme for employees earning up to ₹21,000 per month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities). It provides medical, maternity, sickness, disability, and dependent benefits — essentially a safety net for organized sector workers.
Who is Covered Under ESIC?
Employers: Any establishment with 10+ employees (20+ in some states) must register under ESIC.
Employees: Workers earning ≤ ₹21,000/month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities) in covered establishments.
Contribution rates (2025-26):
- ▸Employee: 0.75% of wages
- ▸Employer: 3.25% of wages
- ▸Total: 4% of gross wages
Types of ESIC Benefits
1. Medical Benefit
Complete medical care for insured employees AND their family (spouse, children, dependent parents):
2. Sickness Benefit
3. Extended Sickness Benefit
4. Maternity Benefit
5. Disablement Benefit
6. Dependent Benefit (for death due to employment injury)
- ▸Outpatient treatment at ESI dispensaries
- ▸Specialist consultations, pathology, radiology
- ▸Hospitalization at ESIC hospitals or empanelled hospitals
- ▸Maternity care
- ▸Available from Day 1 of employment (if registered)
- ▸Cash benefit: 70% of daily wage during certified sickness leave
- ▸Maximum: 91 days in 2 consecutive benefit periods
- ▸Eligibility: At least 78 days of contribution in a contribution period
- ▸For long-term illnesses (TB, cancer, mental illness, heart disease, etc.)
- ▸80% of wage for up to 2 years
- ▸100% of average daily wage for 26 weeks (for normal delivery)
- ▸12 weeks for miscarriage, adoption
- ▸6 weeks for MTP
- ▸No contribution required — benefit from day 1 if employer paid
- ▸Temporary disablement: 90% of wage during period of incapacity
- ▸Permanent partial disablement: Periodic payment for life based on loss of earning capacity
- ▸Permanent total disablement: 90% of wage as pension for life
- ▸90% of wage divided among dependents (widow/widower, children)
- ▸Widow gets lifelong pension; children until 25 years
How to Claim ESIC Sickness Benefit
- ▸Consult an ESIC-registered doctor / dispensary
- ▸Get sickness certificate (IPC) from ESIC doctor specifying bed rest period
- ▸Submit claim form with sickness certificate to employer
- ▸Employer forwards to ESIC branch office
- ▸ESIC deposits benefit directly to employee's bank account
- ▸Keep medical certificates and prescriptions for records
How to Claim Maternity Benefit
- ▸Submit Form 20 (Notice of Pregnancy) to employer before going on maternity leave
- ▸Submit Form 21 (Notice of Confinement) with delivery/birth certificate after delivery
- ▸Employer certifies and forwards to ESI office
- ▸Benefit paid directly to insured woman's bank account
ESIC Online Services (IP Portal)
- ▸esic.in → Services → Insured Person Portal
- ▸Check contribution history
- ▸Download ESIC medical card / IP (Insured Person) card
- ▸Check benefit payment status
- ▸Locate nearest ESIC hospital or empanelled hospital
Conclusion
ESIC is a comprehensive social security system that protects employees against illness, injury, maternity, and death. Employers must register all eligible employees and make timely contributions (15th of every month) to keep benefits active. Biswa Corporate Solutions handles ESIC registration, monthly challan filing, employee coverage updates, and compliance management.
