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EPF and ESIC employer registration: when it is mandatory and how to register

Employers register with EPFO for provident fund and with ESIC for employee health insurance once their staff size crosses the legal limits.

The short answer

Employers register with EPFO for provident fund and with ESIC for employee health insurance once their staff size crosses the legal limits.

Source: epfindia.gov.in. Not yet matched to an official page; confirm on the official portal before paying.

Official fees

ServiceFee
EPF employer registrationFree
ESIC employer registrationFree

Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source

Same fee in every state and city. It is set by the central government.

Documents to keep ready

Tick what you already have. The shared list shows each one as ready or pending.

How to apply

  1. Count your employees. EPF applies at 20 or more and ESIC at 10 or more in covered areas
  2. Register as an employer on the EPFO Unified Portal (PAN is mandatory)
  3. Register on the ESIC employer portal and get the employer code
  4. Enrol each employee: UAN for EPF and an insurance number for ESIC
  5. Pay the contribution each month through the portals
  6. File the monthly returns on time
  7. Report new joiners and exits on both portals
Need it as a PDF? Follow the official download steps. Download UAN card
Good to know
  • EPF: the Act covers establishments with 20 or more employees, and the pay ceiling is ₹15,000 a month.
  • ESIC: the wage ceiling is ₹21,000 a month (₹25,000 for persons with disabilities). Coverage can differ by state notification. Check the ESIC portal for your area.
  • Contributions are not a registration fee. EPF is 12% of wages from the employer. ESIC is 3.25% from the employer and 0.75% from the employee.
  • Registration on both portals is free. Do not pay an agent for the code.

After you apply

What to do once the form is submitted: where to track it, how long it takes, why it gets rejected and what the law says if you do not have it.

Track your application

Typical time

Online; the code number is given after verification

Not officially verified

If you do not have it or miss the deadline

Late registration or late payment of contributions can bring damages, interest and prosecution under the EPF Act and the ESI Act. Confirm the amount with EPFO and ESIC.

Law: EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952; ESI Act, 1948

Not officially verified Source

Common reasons for rejection and how to fix them

ReasonHow to fix it
PAN or business details do not matchUse the same name and PAN as on the incorporation or registration certificate.
Employee Aadhaar and bank details do not matchCorrect the names and bank details before enrolling.
Digital signature missing for EPFRegister a DSC for the authorised person on the portal.

Not officially verified

Govt License is an independent guide. Fines and rules change, so confirm on the official portal. Items marked Not officially verified could not be checked on an official page.

Free formats you may need

Printable samples you can copy, fill in and print. Each is only a sample, so check it with the issuing office.

Employee appointment letter

A letter from the employer that gives a new employee the job title, joining date, salary, working hours, probation and notice terms in writing.

Free format

All free formats

Common questions

When is EPF registration mandatory?
When 20 or more employees work in your establishment, as per the EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act. EPFO has said the threshold of 20 has not changed.
When is ESIC registration mandatory?
The ESI Act covers establishments with 10 or more employees in notified areas, for employees earning up to ₹21,000 a month. Some states differ, so check the ESIC portal.
Is EPF and ESIC registration free?
Yes, registration is online and free. PAN is mandatory for EPF registration. Only the monthly contributions are paid.

Aksar pooche jaane wale sawaal

Yahi jaankari, Hinglish mein.

EPF registration kab zaroori hai?
Jab establishment mein 20 ya usse zyada employees ho. Registration online aur free hai, PAN zaroori hai.
ESIC registration kab zaroori hai?
10 ya usse zyada employees wale covered areas mein, ₹21,000 tak ki monthly wage wale employees ke liye. State ke hisaab se check karein.
EPF aur ESIC registration kaise kare?
EPFO Unified Portal aur ESIC employer portal par PAN, business proof aur employees ki details se register karein.
EPF aur ESIC registration ka application status kaise check karein?
Official link par application ya reference number daalkar status dekhein. Link upar 'After you apply' mein diye hain: EPFO employer portal, ESIC employer portal. Apply karne ke baad kam se kam utna time rukein: Online; the code number is given after verification.
EPF aur ESIC registration ka application reject ho jaye to kya karein?
Portal par likhi wajah padhein, galat ya dhundhle document badalkar dobara apply karein. Sabse aam wajah aur unka solution upar 'After you apply' mein diye gaye hain. Jahan 'Not officially verified' likha hai wahan official site se pakka kar lein.
Bina EPF aur ESIC registration ke pakde gaye to kya hoga?
Kanoon (EPF and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952; ESI Act, 1948) ke tahat jurmana ya saza ho sakti hai. Rakam aur details upar 'After you apply' mein English mein di gayi hain. Jahan 'Not officially verified' likha hai wahan official source se pakka kar lein.

Sources: labour.gov.in epfindia.gov.in esic.gov.in

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