The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has released provisional payroll figures for March 2025, showcasing a significant increase in formal workforce registration and business participation in the ESI Scheme. According to the data, 16.33 lakh new workers were enrolled during the month, demonstrating the scheme’s continued relevance and expanding coverage in India’s labour landscape.
The latest report also reflects a considerable number of youth, women, and transgender employees among the new registrations, reaffirming ESIC’s commitment to inclusive social security.
Key Highlights: March 2025 ESI Payroll Data
| Indicator | Feb 2025 | March 2025 | Growth |
| Newly Registered Employees | 15,43,245 | 16,32,744 | +89,499 |
| Newly Registered Establishments | 23,526 | 31,514 | +7,988 |
- Total new workers enrolled: 16,32,744
- Workers aged 25 or younger: 7.96 lakh (≈49% of total)
- Female employees enrolled: 3.61 lakh
- Transgender employees enrolled: 100
- New establishments registered: 31,514
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Youth at the Forefront of Registrations
One of the most notable insights from the data is the dominance of young employees in new enrolments. Out of the total 16.33 lakh new registrations, approximately 7.96 lakh employees, or nearly 49%, belong to the 25-years-and-below age group.
This trend not only highlights the integration of India’s younger workforce into the formal economy but also underscores the growing awareness of social protection and health security among the country’s emerging professionals.
Rise in Female and Transgender Participation
The gender analysis of the March payroll data presents encouraging figures for gender inclusivity:
- 3.61 lakh female employees enrolled under the ESI Scheme, signaling greater female workforce integration in formal employment.
- For the first time in its reporting history, ESIC confirmed that 100 transgender workers were newly registered, reflecting a step forward toward LGBTQ+ inclusivity in India’s employment policies.
These figures support ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to government-backed insurance and medical benefits for all gender identities.
New Establishments Join the ESI Network
Alongside individual registrations, 31,514 new establishments came under the ESI coverage in March 2025, up by 7,988 from February’s figure of 23,526. This indicates:
- Increasing employer compliance
- Greater formalization of workforce
- Broader social security coverage for India’s vast working population
The rise in establishment enrolment reflects growing employer awareness of the ESI Act’s benefits and responsibilities, including health insurance, maternity benefits, and disablement support.
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Why This Growth Matters
The ESI Scheme, governed by ESIC under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, provides comprehensive health insurance and social security coverage to Indian workers. The growing number of enrolments signifies:
- Strengthened coverage for industrial and service-sector workers
- Wider implementation of India’s labour code reforms
- Integration of diverse workforce segments into structured benefit frameworks
Government’s Push for Inclusive Social Security
The March data also aligns with the Government of India’s broader goal of promoting universal social protection, especially under missions like:
- e-Shram portal (for informal workers)
- National Career Service (NCS) platform
- Digital India integrations with Aadhaar and UAN for seamless ESI access
The inclusion of transgender workers, although still nascent, sends a strong message about India’s evolving employment and welfare ecosystem that prioritizes diversity, dignity, and digital governance.
Conclusion
The provisional payroll data for March 2025 underscores a significant milestone in India’s journey towards universal social security. With 16.33 lakh new employee registrations, rising participation from youth, women, and transgender individuals, and the addition of 31,514 new establishments, ESIC continues to serve as a pillar of protection for millions of workers.
As data generation remains a continuous exercise, future updates may reflect even more refined insights. However, March’s performance already confirms a strong upward trend in both worker awareness and employer participation in India’s ESI Scheme.