What began in 1952 with just 1.2 lakh beneficiaries and a single dispensary has today grown into one of the world’s largest social security healthcare networks. The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) on Monday commenced its 75th Year of Service celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, marking over seven decades of healthcare and financial protection for India’s workforce.
Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, delivered the keynote address, describing ESIC’s journey as a “remarkable example of growth, reform and service.” From modest beginnings, ESIC now serves over 15 crore beneficiaries through 166 hospitals, 17 medical colleges and nearly 1,600 dispensaries across 713 districts.
REFORM, PERFORMANCE AND EXPANSION
Calling for a “reform-and-perform” approach in its Platinum Jubilee year, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized improving in-house medical facilities, ensuring availability of medicines and doctors, and minimizing referrals. He urged ESIC to aspire to standards comparable to AIIMS and highlighted provisions under the Labour Codes mandating annual health check-ups for workers above 40 years.
Secretary, Labour & Employment, Ms. Vandana Gurnani, said ESIC has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s social security architecture, noting that protecting workers’ health also prevents poverty and strengthens nation-building.
NEW INITIATIVES AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
A commemorative ESIC@75 coin and a Coffee Table Book were released to mark the occasion. The Swasthya Rath initiative and Annual Health Check-up Camps were launched to promote preventive healthcare.
Two significant MoUs were signed—one between ESIC and the National Health Authority to converge the ESI Scheme with Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY, and another with NABL to strengthen quality assurance in laboratories.
ESIC will also observe a Special Services Fortnight from February 24 to March 10, 2026, featuring health camps, grievance redressal drives and awareness programmes nationwide.
Observed annually on February 24, ESIC Foundation Day commemorates the launch of the ESI Scheme—now a pillar of social protection contributing to a healthy and secure workforce for a Viksit Bharat.
