Employee State Insurance (ESI) in Uttar Pradesh
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Indian central (Union) law — Constitution of India, central Acts of Parliament, and Supreme Court decisions. State-level information reflects each state's own Acts and High Court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The ESI scheme provides health insurance and cash benefits to workers in the organised sector.
- Coverage: Employees earning up to ₹21,000/month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities) in establishments with 10 or more workers (manufacturing) or 20+ workers (other).
- Contributions: Employee contributes 0.75% of wages; employer contributes 3.25% of wages. Employees earning below ₹137/day are exempt from the employee contribution.
- Benefits include:
- Free medical care at ESI dispensaries and hospitals for the insured and family.
- Sickness benefit: 70% of daily wages for up to 91 days during certified illness.
- Maternity benefit: 100% of average daily wages for 26 weeks (for the first two children).
- Disablement benefit: Periodic payments for temporary or permanent disability due to employment injury.
- Dependant's benefit: Periodic payments to family if the insured dies due to an employment injury.
When does it apply?
- You are employed in a covered establishment and earn up to ₹21,000/month (₹25,000 for PWD).
- You or a family member need medical treatment and you are an ESI insured person.
- You are unable to work due to illness, maternity, or a work-related injury.
What to Do If Your Employer in India Has Not Registered You Under ESI
- Obtain your ESI card (Pehchaan Card) from your employer or the ESI branch office — this is your identity document for accessing ESI medical facilities.
- For sickness benefit, obtain a sickness certificate from an authorised ESIC medical officer and submit it to your employer and the ESI branch office within the specified period.
- If your employer has not registered you under ESI despite being covered, file a complaint at the nearest ESI Regional/Sub-Regional office or via the ESIC grievance portal (esic.in).
- Disputes about benefits can be raised before the Employees' Insurance Court (s. 74, ESI Act) — no court fee is required.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not delay obtaining your ESI card — without it, accessing ESI hospitals in emergencies becomes difficult.
- Do not submit a sickness certificate after the prescribed period without a valid reason — late submission can result in benefit reduction.
- Do not use your ESI entitlement at private hospitals unless it is a genuine emergency — ESIC only reimburses private treatment under defined conditions.
How Uttar Pradesh differs from central law
Uttar Pradesh has progressively expanded ESI coverage across the state, though many districts still have limited ESIC hospital infrastructure. ESIC has hospitals and dispensaries in major cities including Lucknow, Kanpur, Noida, Ghaziabad, Agra, Varanasi, and Allahabad (Prayagraj). The scheme covers employees earning up to Rs. 21,000 per month in establishments with 10 or more employees.
The UP government has extended ESI coverage to all 75 districts, though in many smaller districts the ESIC relies on tie-up hospitals rather than its own facilities. The UP Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1962 requires establishments covered under it to register with ESIC when they meet the employee threshold.
UP has a large migrant workforce that moves between states. ESIC benefits are portable across India, so workers from UP employed in other states (particularly Delhi-NCR, Maharashtra, and Gujarat) can access ESIC facilities back home when they return.
Additional Steps in Uttar Pradesh
To locate your nearest ESIC dispensary or hospital in UP, visit esic.gov.in or use the ESIC Umang app. For grievances, contact the ESIC Regional Office, Lucknow at 0522-2324002 or the ESIC Sub-Regional Office in your district. Toll-free helpline: 1800-11-2526.
Relevant Law: Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948; UP Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1962
Common Questions
When does employee state insurance (esi) apply?
You are employed in a covered establishment and earn up to ₹21,000/month (₹25,000 for PWD).You or a family member need medical treatment and you are an ESI insured person.You are unable to work due to illness, maternity, or a work-related injury.
What should I do if my employer in India has not registered me under the ESI scheme?
Obtain your ESI card (Pehchaan Card) from your employer or the ESI branch office — this is your identity document for accessing ESI medical facilities.For sickness benefit, obtain a sickness certificate from an authorised ESIC medical officer and submit it to your employer and the ESI branch office within the specified period.If your employer has not registered you under ESI despite being covered, file a complaint at the nearest ESI Regional/Sub-Regional office or via the ESIC grievance portal (esic.in).Disputes about benefits can be raised before the Employees' Insurance Court (s. 74, ESI Act...
What mistakes should I avoid with employee state insurance (esi)?
Do not delay obtaining your ESI card — without it, accessing ESI hospitals in emergencies becomes difficult.Do not submit a sickness certificate after the prescribed period without a valid reason — late submission can result in benefit reduction.Do not use your ESI entitlement at private hospitals unless it is a genuine emergency — ESIC only reimburses private treatment under defined conditions.
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