ESIC Aadhaar Link: The Ministry of Labour and Employment has introduced an important change for beneficiaries covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). Aadhaar linking with the ESIC identity card has now been made mandatory for insured persons.
The requirement has been introduced under Section 142 of the Code on Social Security, 2020 and is expected to impact a large number of employees working in factories, private companies and other establishments covered by the ESIC scheme.
The primary purpose of Aadhaar verification is to ensure that ESIC services and financial benefits reach the correct beneficiaries. These benefits include medical treatment, medicines and various forms of cash assistance. Employees whose ESIC records are not linked with Aadhaar could face difficulties while processing certain claims in the future.
The good news is that beneficiaries do not necessarily need to visit an ESIC office. The Aadhaar seeding process can be completed online through the official ESIC portal.
How to Link ESIC Card With Aadhaar Online
Employees can complete the Aadhaar linking process from home by following these steps:
Step 1: Visit the ESIC Portal
Open the official ESIC website and look for the ‘Insured Person/Beneficiary’ option on the homepage.
Step 2: Log In
Enter your registered User ID and password to access your ESIC account.
Step 3: Select Aadhaar Seeding
After logging in, find and click on the ‘Aadhaar Seeding for IP’ option.
Step 4: Choose Your Record
A list will appear on the screen. Find your name and select the ‘Aadhaar Seeding’ option associated with your record.
Step 5: Enter Aadhaar Details
Enter your Aadhaar number in the required field. An OTP will then be sent to the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar.
Step 6: Verify With OTP
Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number and click ‘Submit’.
Step 7: Save the Reference Number
Once the request is submitted, a reference number will be displayed. Keep this number safely for future reference.
After the details are verified by the ESIC system, the Aadhaar number will be linked with the insured person’s account.
Who Can Get ESIC Benefits?
The Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme provides social security and healthcare protection to eligible employees, particularly those working in the organised and private sectors.
As per the stated eligibility criteria, employees earning up to ₹21,000 per month are covered under the scheme. For employees with disabilities, the wage ceiling is ₹25,000 per month.
What Benefits Does ESIC Provide?
ESIC beneficiaries and their eligible family members can receive several healthcare and social-security benefits.
These include access to OPD treatment, medical tests, medicines and hospitalisation through ESIC facilities, including dispensaries and hospitals.
Female insured employees can also receive maternity-related benefits, including up to 26 weeks of paid leave and financial assistance during childbirth, subject to applicable rules.
The scheme also provides cash benefits during periods of sickness, with payments available for up to 91 days of sick leave under the applicable conditions.
In cases where an employee suffers a temporary or permanent disability because of a workplace injury, the scheme provides financial support, including a monthly pension as applicable.
If an insured employee dies because of an employment-related accident, eligible family members such as the spouse, children and parents may receive regular financial assistance in the form of a monthly pension, subject to the scheme’s rules.
Aadhaar Linking to Help Prevent Fraud
One of the key reasons behind Aadhaar-based verification is to reduce the possibility of fraudulent use of ESIC services.
There have been concerns about people using similar identities to claim benefits from different employers or obtaining medicines and medical services using another person’s ESIC identity card.
Linking Aadhaar helps create a unique identity record for beneficiaries, making it easier for the system to identify genuine insured persons and prevent duplicate or fraudulent claims.
Why Is ESIC Aadhaar Verification Important?
The Aadhaar-linking requirement is intended to make the ESIC system more secure, transparent and efficient. It can help ensure that medical facilities, medicines and financial assistance reach the people who are actually entitled to them.
The objective is not to take away employees’ existing rights but to strengthen the verification process and reduce unnecessary complications in accessing ESIC services.
ESIC Aadhaar Link: What Employees Should Do
Employees covered under ESIC should complete their Aadhaar verification through the ESIC portal and ensure that their registered mobile number is available for OTP authentication.
Once the request has been submitted, beneficiaries should save the reference number until the linking process has been successfully completed.
For employees who depend on ESIC for medical treatment, medicines, maternity support or other social-security benefits, keeping their Aadhaar and ESIC records properly updated can help avoid potential difficulties with services and claims.