In a landmark step toward strengthening India’s public healthcare and medical education systems, Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Tuesday that the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has given in-principle approval for 10 new medical colleges for the financial year 2024–25.
The decision, made during the 194th meeting of the ESI Corporation, aims to bolster the ESIC’s healthcare infrastructure and meet the rising demand for medical seats in government-run institutions.
Approved Locations for New ESIC Medical Colleges (FY 2024–25):
- Andheri (Maharashtra)
- Basaidarapur (Delhi)
- Guwahati-Beltola (Assam)
- Indore (Madhya Pradesh)
- Jaipur (Rajasthan)
- Ludhiana (Punjab)
- Naroda-Bapunagar (Gujarat)
- Noida and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
- Ranchi (Jharkhand)
Mandaviya emphasized the dual impact of the move: enhancing quality healthcare access for workers and the general public, and addressing the medical education gap in many parts of the country.
10 More Locations Under Consideration:
- Pune, Nagpur (Maharashtra)
- Manesar (Haryana)
- Kollam (Kerala)
- Surat (Gujarat)
- Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
- Bhubaneshwar (Odisha)
- Asansol (West Bengal)
- Pandunagar (Uttar Pradesh)
- Margaon (Goa)
Policy Expansion & Healthcare Reach:
To further enhance healthcare delivery, ESIC is drafting a new policy for extending services through PHCs and CHCs in underserved districts. This will ensure timely medical access in non-ESIC or partially covered areas, especially in rural and semi-urban regions.
Convergence with Ayushman Bharat (AB-PMJAY):
In a major convergence move, over 14.4 crore ESIC beneficiaries will now be able to avail cashless healthcare services under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme across empanelled hospitals. This expansion will:
- Broaden healthcare access in non-ESIC regions
- Enhance service availability in areas lacking dedicated ESIC hospitals
ESIC Coverage Now Spans 691 Districts:
As of April 21, 2025, ESIC services are operational in 691 districts, a sharp rise from 393 in 2014. Recent additions include:
- 8 districts in Nagaland
- 15 districts in Uttar Pradesh
These expansions are expected to benefit 76,274 additional insured persons (IPs) and their families, offering them medical, maternity, disability, and dependent coverage under the ESI Act.
Upcoming District Notifications Underway:
- 1 district each in Odisha and Uttar Pradesh
- 2 districts in Maharashtra
- 6 districts in Bihar
About ESIC:
ESIC is one of India’s largest social security organizations. It provides comprehensive benefits—from medical care to cash compensation during periods of illness, maternity, disability, or death due to employment injury.