ESIC SPREE 2025 Scheme Summary Report

Overview

SPREE 2025—the Scheme for Promotion of Registration of Employers and Employees—was launched by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to expand social security coverage under the ESI Act. This special, one-time campaign is intended to encourage voluntary compliance and simplify the registration process for previously unregistered employers and employees, especially contractual and temporary workers.

Scheme Format

• Type: One-time special registration window under the ESI Act, 1948.

• Objective:

  • To bring uncovered factories/establishments and employees into the formal social security network.

  • To promote voluntary registration without the risk of retrospective inspections or penalties.

    
    

• Registration Channels:

  • ESIC portal

  • Shram Suvidha portal

  • Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal

Eligibility

• Who Can Apply:

  • All unregistered employers and employees who fall within the coverage norms of the ESI Act.

  • Includes contractual, temporary, and gig workers and employees in shops, hotels, restaurants, private medical and educational institutions, and other eligible sectors.

  • Establishments with 10 or more workers (20 in some states, depending on state policy).

  • Applicants must be permanent residents of India.

Benefits

For Employers

• No Retrospective Penalties: No inspection or demand for past records or unpaid contributions for the pre-registration period.

• Immunity: Protection from legal action for non-registration or non-compliance for periods prior to registration.

• Ease of Registration: Digital self-registration simplifies the compliance process.

For Employees

• Coverage Starts on Registration Date: Only contributions and benefits accruing from the declared date of registration onward.

• Access to ESI Benefits:

  • Medical care for insured employees and their families

  • Cash benefits in cases of sickness, maternity, injury, or employment-related death

  • Long-term social security under the ESI Act, 1948.

For the Social Security System

• Expanded Coverage: Increases formal social protection for informal, contractual, and gig economy workers.

• Supports Universal Social Protection: Aligns with India’s larger vision for social security and a welfare-based labour ecosystem.

Important Dates

Event / Window	Date
SPREE 2025 Start Date	1 July 2025
SPREE 2025 End Date	31 December 2025
Registration Acceptance (effective as declared)	During scheme window

• Registrations made under SPREE will be considered effective from the date declared by the employer.

• No benefits or contributions are applicable retroactively before the declared date of registration.

Key Points

• No Retrospective Effect: No liabilities or punitive measures for previous unregistered periods.

• Digital-First Registration: Streamlined, paperless, and accessible registration modes.

• Awareness Campaign: ESIC is conducting wide publicity and outreach to ensure maximum participation.

References

(Full details are as per official ESIC notifications and government press releases dated July 2025.)