Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III–Sec. 4, No. 468 — dated 22 July 2026, e-published 29 July 2026. 149 pages: Hindi (pp. 1–76), English (pp. 77–149).
It contains one instrument only — ESIC Notification No. X-11014/31/2026-P&D dated 13 July 2026, publishing the draft Employees' State Insurance (General) Regulations, 2026 under Section 157 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, in supersession of the ESI (General) Regulations, 1950. Objections within 45 days to dir-pnd@esic.gov.in in the prescribed four-column proforma.
Structure: 122 Regulations in 4 Chapters + 25 Forms + 3 Schedules.
Chapter I (Reg. 1–10) — Preliminary: definitions (Insurance Number now portal-generated, IP Card electronic, Inspector-cum-Facilitator, DCBO, Medical Board); contribution/benefit periods unchanged (Apr–Sep and Oct–Mar); Corporation's powers; Regional Boards; Local Committees now with mandatory MSME representation.
Chapter II (Reg. 11–28) — Registration & contributions:
Form 1 declaration with photographs, preserved for full service period; IP Card in Form 1A; family updation in Form 1B.
Monthly return of contribution in Form 2 within 15 days of month-end (all returns for a contribution period within 45 days of its end; 15 days on closure).
Contribution payment within 15 days of month-end, electronically.
Damages flat 1% per month (slab system gone); interest at Central Government notified rate.
Appellate Authority u/s 126 — IC, Addl. Commissioner, RD, Director, Joint Director.
Register of Employees in Form 4, preserved 5 years; contractor must maintain Form 4 and hand it to the principal employer before settlement u/s 31(6).
Chapter III (Reg. 29–98) — Benefits: claim procedure and payment timelines (sickness 7 days, funeral 15, maternity 14, TDB/PDB 1 month, DB 3 months); abstention verification Forms 8/8A; medical certification Forms 5–7; 34 diseases for extended sickness benefit (124 → 309 → up to 730 days, till age 60); accident notice, Accident Book in Form XIX of OSH Rules 2026, Form 10 report within 48 hours; Medical Boards and Appeal Tribunals; PDB commutation (Schedule I, cap ₹60,000); dependants' benefit; mandatory nomination in Form III of Central Rules at registration; maternity benefit including commissioning mother (embryo implantation) and adoptive mother; funeral expenses.
Chapter IV (Reg. 99–122) — Miscellaneous: reimbursement at CGHS/State rates; discontinuation of parallel employer benefits; discharge after 6 months (18 months for listed diseases); no benefit during strike (4 exceptions); retired IP medical benefit at ₹50/month paid yearly in advance, spouse continuation, 60 years default retirement age; EI Court limitation 3 years, with ESIC recovery barred after 8 years / 5 years; inspection book mandatory, preserved 5 years; online-first procedure; DG's relaxation power.
Schedules: I — PDB commutation factors; II — capitalised value factors; III — medical students' bond (MBBS/BDS ₹5 lakh, PG ₹10 lakh, Super Specialty ₹15 lakh, AHS ₹1 lakh).
Drafting errors worth objecting to: Form 2 still shows old half-yearly due dates (15 May / 14 Nov) against monthly filing in Reg. 16; Schedules I, II, III and Form 9 all carry wrong regulation cross-references; cataract entry differs between Reg. 50 and Reg. 103.