As per the ESI Act of 1948, all establishments are eligible for ESI registration provided they fulfill the criteria of having the required number of employees in that state. The entities covered are:

Under the Employees’ State Insurance Act of 1948, many establishments are eligible for registration as long as they have the required number of employees in that state. The entities covered are:

• Shops
• Cinemas
• Movie theatres
• Medical institutions
• Hotels or restaurants
• Newspaper establishments
• Private Educational institutions
• Roadside motor transport establishments

Eligibility for ESI Registration in India
The general rule to be eligible for ESI (Employees’ State Insurance) registration is to have 10 or more workers. But in some regions, ESI is applicable only if there are more than 20 employees.

Other eligibility criteria that need to be fulfilled are:

• Any employee whose gross salary is up to Rs. 21,000 per month can avail this with the help of the employer.
• Establishment Registered with EPFO.
• The contribution to ESI is 6.5% of the gross salary. It is divided as:
  • 4.75% by the employer
  • 1.75% by the employee

For industrial units, where there are chances of occurrence of injury or health issues at the business premise, all employees with salary less than Rs.21,000 compulsorily need to have ESI.

ESI Registration ensures that employees enjoy the following advantages under the Employees’ State.

Medical aid
From the very first day of employment, registered ESI members and their families are entitled to enjoy the benefits of complete medical care and insurance.

Maternity aid
Pregnant women are entitled to maternity benefits that are payable upto twenty six weeks. This period can be extended by 30 days on medical advice. To qualify for maternity benefits, employers are required to contribute their wages for 70 days in the preceding two contributions periods.

Disablement benefits
Disabled employees can get 90% of their monthly salaries as disablement benefits.

Sickness benefits
Absence from work during illness can be taken for a maximum of 91 days per year along with 70% of the monthly wages.

Dependent benefits
In the unfortunate event of the demise of an employee during the employment, the dependents of the deceased will receive 90% of his/her monthly salary.

Funeral expenses
The family of the deceased employee is entitled to an additional amount of Rs.10,000 towards funeral expenses.

Confinement expenses
In the case of confinement of an insured woman or wife of an employee occurring in a place with no medical facilities under the ESI scheme, confinement expenses can be availed.

In addition, some of the need-based benefits:

Vocational rehabilitation
Permanently physically challenged, insured employees are entitled to undergo vocational rehabilitation training at VRS.

Physical rehabilitation
Available to employees in the case of physical disablement due to an employment injury or occupational hazards.

Old age medical care
An annual payment of Rs.120 ensures medical care benefits for retiring ESI employees or for those who are opting for VRS/ERS. Insured ESI members retiring on account of permanent disabilities are also entitled to the same benefits.

Extended sickness benefits
ESI members suffering from chronic diseases can avail the extended sickness benefit for upto 2 years, provided the sick leave of 91 days are expired. Among other conditions, the criteria for eligibility for this benefit include that the concerned ESI member should have been working for at least 2 years at the onset of the sickness and its subsequent diagnosis.

Enhanced sickness benefit
This benefit was introduced in 1976 as a measure to encourage ESI employees to undergo vasectomy or tubectomy for family welfare. Registered ESI members willing to undergo the sterilisation procedures are eligible for enhanced sickness benefit of 100% of their daily average wages. This benefit also allows a recuperating period of 7 days for vasectomy and 14 days for tubectomy from the date of surgery or admission in the hospital. Extension of this benefit can also be availed in case of post-operative complications

Personal Details

• The registration certificate or license issued by:
  • Shops and establishment Acts
  • Factories Act
• The registration certificate or license issued by:
  • Rent receipt of the occupied premises, mentioning its capacity
• Copy of PAN card
• Copy of bank statement
• Photocopy of the last building tax/property tax receipt
• Memorandum and Articles of Association or Partnership Deed or Trust Deed – dependent on the applying entity
• Photocopy of registration :
  • Certificate of commencement of production
  • Registration No. of CST/ST/GST