The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has issued a notification announcing the extension of Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) medical benefits to the entire areas of Soreng, Gyalshing, and Mangan districts in the State of Sikkim, with effect from 1 November 2025.
The move brings these regions under the social security and healthcare umbrella of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (ESI Act), ensuring access to cash and medical benefits for eligible employees and their dependents.
⚖️ Legal Authority
The notification has been issued in exercise of powers conferred under sub-section (3) of Section 1 of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948).
The Central Government has appointed 1st November 2025 as the date from which the specified provisions of the Act will come into force in the said districts.
📜 Provisions Brought into Force
The following provisions of the ESI Act will become applicable in the districts of Soreng, Gyalshing, and Mangan, Sikkim:
- Sections 38 to 43 – Compulsory insurance for employees and employer obligations.
- Sections 45A to 45H – Powers related to determination and recovery of contributions.
- Sections 46 to 75 – Range of benefits including sickness, maternity, disablement, dependents’, and medical benefits.
- Sub-sections (2) to (4) of Section 76 – Adjudication of disputes and constitution of ESI Courts.
- Sections 82 and 83 – Powers of rulemaking and delegation under the Act.
🏥 Impact and Significance
With this extension, employees working in all factories and establishments within the newly covered districts will be entitled to ESI benefits, provided their establishments fall within the prescribed threshold under the Act (currently 10 or more employees in non-seasonal establishments).
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) will facilitate:
- Access to cash benefits during sickness, maternity, or employment injury.
- Full medical care for insured persons and their family members.
- Strengthening of ESIC dispensaries, empanelled hospitals, and medical infrastructure in these districts.
This step also aligns with the government’s goal of universalizing social security under the ESI 2.0 expansion plan, ensuring that every working individual in India is covered under statutory health protection.
📍 Districts Newly Covered under ESI:
- Soreng District
- Gyalshing District
- Mangan District