Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) added 20.36 lakh new employees to the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme in July 2025, according to provisional payroll data released by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
This marks a month-on-month increase of nearly 99,000 from June, when 19.37 lakh workers were enrolled.
The ESI Scheme provides medical care, cash benefits during sickness and maternity, and compensation for employment-related injuries to insured workers and their dependents.
The July data reflects continued efforts to expand social security coverage across India’s growing formal workforce.
Young Workers Form Nearly Half of New Registrations in ESIC
Of the 20.36 lakh new registrations in July, 9.85 lakh employees—approximately 48.37%—were under the age of 25.
This indicates a significant influx of young workers into the formal employment sector, suggesting improving job opportunities for youth and better integration into structured benefits systems.
The age-wise distribution also aligns with broader labour market trends observed in the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which reported a decline in unemployment and an increase in workforce participation among younger demographics.
ESIC Enrollment Data: Gender and Inclusion Trends
ESIC enrolled 4.33 lakh women under the ESI Scheme in July, accounting for over 21% of the total new additions.
This reflects a positive trend in female workforce participation and access to social protection.
Additionally, 88 transgender employees were registered during the month, highlighting ESIC’s commitment to inclusive coverage and extending benefits to all sections of society.
The inclusion of transgender individuals under the scheme is part of ongoing efforts to make social security systems more equitable and representative.
Rise in Registered Establishments
Alongside the increase in individual enrolments, ESIC also brought 31,146 new establishments under the ESI Scheme in July.
These newly registered workplaces will contribute to the scheme and ensure coverage of their employees under statutory social security provisions.
This expansion of employer participation is critical for broadening the scheme’s reach and ensuring compliance with labour welfare regulations.
It also signals growing formalization across sectors, particularly in manufacturing, services, and small enterprises.
Data Provisional, Reflects Ongoing Trends
Officials have clarified that the payroll data is provisional and subject to updates, as data generation is a continuous process.
However, the consistent growth in enrolments over recent months points to a strengthening labour market and improved access to social protection mechanisms.
The July figures also coincide with broader improvements in employment indicators.
According to PLFS data, India’s overall unemployment rate eased to 5.1% in August, down from 5.6% in June.
Female labour force participation and worker population ratios also showed upward movement, reinforcing the positive momentum in job creation and formal employment.
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