On October 1, 2025, ESIC’s Amnesty Scheme-2025 went live, giving employers and insured persons a structured window to close long-pending disputes and unpaid dues up to March 31, 2025. The scheme waives damages if dues and interest are paid with requisite documentation, and it covers coverage disputes for both closed and running units (with special treatment for units closed >5 years). ESIC and the Labour Ministry have issued multiple press notes and circulars outlining scope, eligibility, and local office procedures, and regional offices have begun outreach and processing. The window runs October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, with ESIC emphasizing “Less Litigation – More Compliance.” Employers should expect active awareness drives at regional and sub-regional offices.
Press Information Bureau
For HR/compliance, this is a rare chance to clean the slate on legacy ESI matters before FY26 close. Prioritize a ledger-level reconciliation: map inspection memos, ad-hoc assessments, pending §85/§85B proceedings, and any court cases to determine the fastest settlement route under Amnesty-2025. Prepare payroll records, wage registers, contractor registers, and contribution challans to evidence wage bases and headcount. Create an internal approval track so finance, legal, and plant/site HR can sign off on payments quickly. Document outcomes and update your compliance risk register; regulators will likely expect lower future disputes once you use this window.
Press Information Bureau
Sources:
• “ESIC issues detailed guidelines of the New Amnesty Scheme 2025” — Press Information Bureau — Oct 1, 2025.
Press Information Bureau
• “Amnesty-2025 will resolve disputes: window from Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026” — Press Information Bureau — Oct 17, 2025.
Press Information Bureau
Discussion questions:
Which legacy ESI matters will you fast-track into Amnesty-2025, and what evidence gaps must you close first?
How will you confirm contractor coverage and pass-throughs to avoid future disputes?
What internal controls will you add post-amnesty so the same issues don’t recur?
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)
5Press Information Bureau
For HR/compliance, this is a rare chance to clean the slate on legacy ESI matters before FY26 close. Prioritize a ledger-level reconciliation: map inspection memos, ad-hoc assessments, pending §85/§85B proceedings, and any court cases to determine the fastest settlement route under Amnesty-2025. Prepare payroll records, wage registers, contractor registers, and contribution challans to evidence wage bases and headcount. Create an internal approval track so finance, legal, and plant/site HR can sign off on payments quickly. Document outcomes and update your compliance risk register; regulators will likely expect lower future disputes once you use this window.
Press Information Bureau
Sources:
• “ESIC issues detailed guidelines of the New Amnesty Scheme 2025” — Press Information Bureau — Oct 1, 2025.
Press Information Bureau
• “Amnesty-2025 will resolve disputes: window from Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026” — Press Information Bureau — Oct 17, 2025.
Press Information Bureau
Discussion questions:
Which legacy ESI matters will you fast-track into Amnesty-2025, and what evidence gaps must you close first?
How will you confirm contractor coverage and pass-throughs to avoid future disputes?
What internal controls will you add post-amnesty so the same issues don’t recur?
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)CiteHR is an AI-augmented HR knowledge and collaboration platform, enabling HR professionals to solve real-world challenges, validate decisions, and stay ahead through collective intelligence and machine-enhanced guidance. Join Our Platform.
Implementation- Extension of ESI Scheme in the Municipality and Notified Area Council -NAC- 3 of.pdf
Changes in the Applicability and Coverage of ESI Scheme under the Code on Social Security.doc