A seven-month special registration drive by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation has added significant numbers to India’s formal workforce, with 1.38 lakh new employers and 1.12 crore workers brought under ESIC coverage.
Data from the Ministry of Labour & Employment shows the initiative focussed on voluntary enrolment, encouraging businesses to come forward without fear of penalties or retrospective inspections.
Maharashtra recorded the strongest participation. The state saw 18,515 companies register along with 15.99 lakh workers — the highest in the country. Tamil Nadu was next, with 12,683 employers and 12.65 lakh employees joining the scheme. Haryana reported 7,211 firms and 10.71 lakh workers enrolling.
Karnataka added 7,944 employers and 9.74 lakh workers. Telangana logged 5,010 companies and 6.12 lakh employees, while Rajasthan saw 8,261 firms and 5.84 lakh workers sign up. Uttar Pradesh contributed 1,377 employers and 1.95 lakh workers.
The new additions build on ESIC’s pre-drive base of 3.24 crore registered employees and 3.84 crore insured persons as of 31 March, 2025. Officials attribute the growth to greater formalisation in the organised sector and the rollout of the four labour codes.
Alongside the registration campaign, ESIC has announced “Amnesty 2025″, a one-time dispute settlement scheme effective 1 October, 2025, to 30 September, 2026. It allows employers to resolve pending cases, pay dues with interest, and have damages waived, helping reduce litigation.
Regional directors have been empowered to process settlements, with the goal of completing cases within six months. The approach shifts from penalisation to compliance, aiming to boost goodwill among stakeholders and expand social security reach across the country.
