WhatsAppESI Eligibility Checker
Two independent checks in one place: whether your business must register for ESI, and whether a specific employee must be covered. Use either one on its own, or both.
How ESI Eligibility Works
Establishment-level coverage
ESI registration is mandatory for factories and notified categories of establishments - shops, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, road transport, newspaper establishments, and educational or medical institutions among others - once the headcount threshold is met. That threshold is 10 employees in most states, including Karnataka, and 20 employees in a handful of states that haven't lowered it. Like EPF, coverage is permanent once triggered - dropping below the threshold later does not remove it.
Employee-level coverage
An employee is covered if their gross monthly wages are ₹21,000 or less (₹25,000 or less for a person with disability). Gross wages here means basic + DA + HRA + overtime + most allowances, excluding reimbursements billed separately. If wages cross the ceiling partway through a contribution period (April–September or October–March), coverage continues until that period ends.
Low-wage exemption
If an employee's average daily wage is ₹176 or less, their own 0.75% share is exempted - the employer must still pay their 3.25% share.
Check Your ESI Eligibility
These are two independent tools - fill in either one on its own, or both, in any order.
Business Eligibility Check
Employee Eligibility Check
This tool gives guidance based on general ESI rules, not a compliance certificate. Multi-state operations, contract workers, and borderline establishment categories need individual review.
For a definitive answer for your business, contact Medu Consultancy.
Related tools and reading
- Need ongoing help with registration and filings? See our ESI consultancy service.
- Already behind on payments? Use the ESI Penalty Calculator.
- Once you know an employee is covered, see the exact monthly split with the ESI Contribution Calculator.
- Checking EPF too? Try the EPF Eligibility Checker.
- Read more: Why ESI registration benefits small and medium businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Most states, including Karnataka, have lowered the threshold to 10 employees for notified categories such as shops, hotels, restaurants and cinemas. A handful of states and union territories have not lowered it and still use 20. This checker uses the threshold for the state you select.
They are not covered under ESI at that wage level, unless it's a person with disability (ceiling ₹25,000 instead of ₹21,000). If wages crossed the ceiling partway through a contribution period (April–September or October–March), coverage continues until the end of that period.
If an employee's average daily wage is ₹176 or less, their own 0.75% ESI contribution is exempted. The employer still has to pay their 3.25% share.
Yes. Once an establishment crosses the applicable headcount threshold, ESI coverage is permanent even if the headcount later drops below it.
No. It's guidance based on general rules. Multi-state operations, contract workers, and borderline establishment categories need individual review - speak with Medu Consultancy for a definitive answer.