In the journey towards Viksit Bharat, the provision of  social security for the workers becomes imperative to create a healthy, resilient and secure nation. The workers of India are the true builders of the nation's progress, and ensuring their welfare, dignity and well-being has remained the focus of the Employees' State Insurance Corporation's (ESIC) mission. This commitment is reflected in the disbursement of Cash Benefits and quality healthcare to its beneficiaries through an extensive infrastructure comprising of 169 hospitals, 1,603 dispensaries, 17 medical colleges, 2 dental colleges, 2 nursing colleges, 3 para-medical college, supported by 65 Regional/Sub-Regional Offices, 612 Branch Offices, and 117 Dispensary-cum-Branch Offices. The ESI Scheme is presently implemented in 728 out of a total of 787 districts across the country.  In addition to providing medical and social security benefits, ESIC is also investing in medical education with focus on skills, service delivery and compassion. 

As India strides toward its ambitious goal of creating 75,000 new medical seats, ESIC is contributing significantly to this goal by steadily expanding its medical education infrastructure to widen the pathways available to the country's young aspirants. Today, 17 ESIC Medical Colleges stand operational across the country, offering UG Courses (1,550 MBBS seats) and PG courses (559 MD/MS seats, 182 DNB seats, 17 DrNB seats, 31 DM/M.Ch seats, 10 PhD seats). Additionally, there are 03 state-run medical colleges which contribute a further 330 MBBS seats. Further there are 2 ESIC Dental Colleges offering 124 seats, 2 Nursing colleges offering 120 BSc Nursing seats and 3 paramedical colleges offering 292 seats to students who aspire to serve society through medical sciences. With more medical colleges in the pipeline, ESIC is poised to further expand access to quality medical education, opening doors of opportunity for countless young minds who dream of becoming doctors, regardless of the circumstances into which they were born.

Through the ‘Ward of Insured Persons (IP) Quota’ seats are reserved for the children of workers covered under ESI Scheme in all the ESIC operated Medical Institutions. About 880 seats (comprising around 700 seats for the MBBS course and the remaining seats across BDS, B.Sc. Nursing and Paramedical/Allied Health Sciences courses) are reserved in all the ESIC operated medical institutions under the ‘Ward of IP’ Quota.  This initiative is ESIC’s commitment to the workforce of India whose hard work forms the backbone of India’s growth story and ensures that their children are empowered to pursue their aspirations, build successful careers and contribute to the nation’s future.

Till date, ESIC has contributed 4,961 Doctors to Nation through its medical colleges, out of which 1,682 are children of the workers covered under the ESI Scheme. At the postgraduate level, more than 1,200 students have passed out, further strengthening the country's pool of specialised doctors.

As India moves toward its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, ESIC stays committed to its mission of ensuring comprehensive social security for workers and their families, while shaping the medical workforce of tomorrow and building a healthier, stronger India for generations to come.

1. UG Students

2. PG Students

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Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander