For workers in the organized sector, the government provides a comprehensive social security scheme that offers protection against sickness, disability, and other health-related contingencies. This scheme is managed by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). To access the benefits of this scheme, every covered employee is given a unique identification number. For every eligible employee in 2026, it is crucial to understand what is an ESIC IP Number and how to get your Pehchan Card. This number is your key to availing a wide range of medical and cash benefits for yourself and your family.
What is an ESIC IP Number? A Simple Definition
An ESIC IP Number, where IP stands for Insured Person, is a unique identification number assigned by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to every employee who is covered under the ESI Act, 1948. This number serves as the primary identifier for the employee (the Insured Person) in the ESIC database. It is used to track their employment history, their monthly contributions, and their eligibility for various benefits. The IP number remains the same even if the employee changes jobs, as long as they continue to work for an ESIC-covered establishment. It is essentially your social security number for health and related benefits under the ESI scheme.
Who is Covered Under the ESIC Scheme?
The ESI scheme is a contributory scheme that is mandatory for certain establishments. The coverage is as follows:
- Applicable Establishments: It applies to non-seasonal factories employing 10 or more persons. The scheme has also been extended to other establishments like shops, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, and road motor transport undertakings employing 10 or more persons in most states.
- Eligible Employees: Employees of these covered establishments who are earning a monthly wage of up to ₹21,000 (or ₹25,000 for persons with disability) are mandatorily covered under the scheme.
Both the employee and the employer contribute a certain percentage of the employee’s wages to the ESI fund every month.
The Benefits of an ESIC IP Number
Having an ESIC IP Number entitles you and your dependent family members to a comprehensive package of benefits, which are broadly divided into medical benefits and cash benefits.
| Benefit Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Medical Benefit | This is the primary benefit. It provides comprehensive medical care, from OPD consultation and medicines to full hospitalization, at ESI dispensaries and hospitals. The coverage starts from day one of employment. |
| Sickness Benefit | In case of sickness, a certified leave of absence, the insured person is entitled to receive a cash payment at the rate of 70% of their daily wages for a certain period. |
| Maternity Benefit | For insured women, it provides a cash benefit for confinement or pregnancy, typically for 26 weeks, at the full wage rate. |
| Disablement Benefit | If an employee suffers a disability due to an employment injury, they are entitled to a monthly pension for life (in case of permanent disablement) or a periodic payment (for temporary disablement). |
| Dependents’ Benefit | In the unfortunate event of an employee’s death due to an employment injury, their dependent family members are entitled to receive a monthly pension. |
| Unemployment Allowance | The scheme also provides a monthly cash allowance for a certain period in case of involuntary loss of employment. |
These benefits are distinct from those provided under the EPF scheme, which is identified by a PF Establishment Code and provides retirement benefits and insurance under the EDLI Scheme.
What is an ESIC Pehchan Card?
The ESIC Pehchan Card is the official identity card that is issued to the Insured Person and their dependents. This card contains the IP Number, the name, address, and photograph of the beneficiaries. You need to present this card at an ESI dispensary or hospital to avail of medical treatment. The ‘Pehchan’ card is the physical proof of your enrollment in the scheme. Nowadays, a digital e-Pehchan card can be downloaded from the ESIC portal.
How to Get Your ESIC IP Number and Pehchan Card
As an employee, you do not apply for the IP number yourself. It is the legal responsibility of your employer to get you registered with the ESIC. The process is as follows:
- Employer Registration: Your employer must register their company on the ESIC portal to get an establishment registration number. This is similar to the Labour Identification Number (LIN) for other compliances.
- Employee Registration: Within 10 days of you joining the company, your employer must register you as an employee under their account on the ESIC portal. They will fill in your details and those of your family members.
- Generation of IP Number: Upon successful registration, the ESIC portal will generate your unique IP Number.
- e-Pehchan Card Generation: The employer can then download a temporary e-Pehchan card, which you can use to avail benefits immediately.
- Biometric Card: You and your family members will need to visit an ESIC office to get your biometric details (photograph and fingerprints) captured for the permanent Pehchan Card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I find my ESIC IP Number?
Your employer is required to provide you with your IP number and the e-Pehchan card. The number is also often printed on your monthly salary slip. Alternatively, you can search for your IP number on the ESIC portal’s ‘Insured Person’ section by providing your employer’s code and other details.
2. What if my employer has not registered me for ESIC even though I am eligible?
It is illegal for an employer to not register an eligible employee for ESIC benefits. If your employer is not complying, you can file a complaint with the regional office of the ESIC. The employer can be subject to heavy penalties and legal action.
3. My salary has increased above ₹21,000 per month. Will I still be covered?
If your salary crosses the ₹21,000 threshold, you will continue to be covered under the ESI scheme until the end of that ‘contribution period’ (which is April to September or October to March). After that, your contributions will stop, but you can continue to avail of medical benefits for a certain extended period if you meet the conditions.
4. Can I use my ESIC card in any hospital?
No, the ESIC scheme has its own network of ESI dispensaries (for OPD) and ESI hospitals (for IPD). You must first visit your designated dispensary. For specialist treatment or hospitalization, the dispensary will refer you to an ESI hospital or a private empanelled hospital. Cashless treatment is only available within this network.
5. My father is covered under ESIC. Am I, as his son, also covered?
Dependent children are covered under the scheme. A son is considered a dependent until he reaches the age of 25. After the age of 25, he is no longer eligible to receive benefits as a dependent, unless he is infirm and wholly dependent on the insured person.