ESIC
Employees' State Insurance Corporation Recruitment
ESIC Recruitment Exam (Employees' State Insurance Corporation)
The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, and runs one of the country's largest social security schemes. To staff its head office, regional offices, hospitals and medical colleges, ESIC conducts regular recruitments for both ministerial/clerical posts (Upper Division Clerk, Multi-Tasking Staff, Stenographer, Social Security Officer) and medical/paramedical posts (Nursing Officer, Insurance Medical Officer, Pharmacist, Lab Technician, etc.). Clerical grades follow a Computer Based Test (CBT) pattern with a qualifying Prelims, a merit-based Mains and post-specific skill tests. Medical posts such as Nursing Officer are recruited centrally (recently through the AIIMS NORCET common test), while doctor and specialist positions are often filled via walk-in interviews by individual ESIC hospitals. This guide covers the pattern, syllabus, eligibility, fees, salary and preparation strategy for the main ESIC posts.
Overview / Key Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India |
| Common Posts | UDC, MTS, Stenographer, Social Security Officer (SSO), Nursing Officer, Pharmacist, Lab Technician, Insurance Medical Officer, Dental Surgeon |
| Exam Level | Group B (Non-Gazetted) & Group C posts |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) for most posts; walk-in interview for certain contractual medical posts |
| Medium | English & Hindi (depending on the post and as specified in the notification) |
| Selection Stages | Prelims (qualifying) → Mains (merit) → Skill Test / Typing Test → Document Verification & Medical Examination |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks (one-fourth of a mark) for every wrong answer in the CBT |
| Official Website | https://www.esic.gov.in |
Selection Process
The selection process differs slightly by post. For the clerical and general grades it typically follows these stages:
- Preliminary Exam (CBT): Objective and qualifying in nature; multiple-choice questions with negative marking of 0.25 marks. Prelims marks are generally not counted for final merit (subject to the notification).
- Mains Exam (CBT): Objective and merit-based; this is the deciding stage for clerical and SSO grades.
- Skill Test (post-specific): UDC candidates pass a computer-based typing test (35 wpm English or 30 wpm Hindi). Stenographers appear for a stenography test.
- Document Verification & Medical Examination: Original certificates are verified and medical fitness standards are cleared.
For medical and paramedical posts such as Nursing Officer, selection is usually a single subject-specific CBT followed by Document Verification; short-term contractual doctor/specialist posts are often filled through walk-in interviews announced by ESIC hospitals and medical colleges.
Exam Pattern (Clerical / General Grades)
The CBT pattern used in the recent combined ESIC recruitment for UDC, MTS and SSO posts is given below. Figures are based on the previous cycle notification and may change slightly in the current one.
Phase 1 – Preliminary Exam (Qualifying)
| Section | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| General Awareness | 25 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 25 | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 200 |
Phase 2 – Mains Exam (Merit)
| Section | Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 120 minutes |
| General Awareness | 50 | 50 | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | |
| English Comprehension | 50 | 50 | |
| Total | 200 | 200 |
Nursing Officer / Paramedical Posts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test (online), subject-specific questions |
| Subjects | Nursing & allied medical knowledge (Nursing Officer); discipline-wise professional subjects (Pharmacist, Lab Technician, etc.) |
| Marking | One mark per question with negative marking of 0.25 for wrong answers (as per the specific notification) |
| Skill Stage | Document Verification; some paramedical roles may include a practical/interview stage |
For example, the most recent central-level ESIC recruitment for Nursing Officer was conducted through the AIIMS Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET-11), for which the application window closed on 13 August 2026.
Detailed Syllabus
English Comprehension
- Reading comprehension and unseen passages
- Cloze test and sentence completion
- Fill in the blanks (prepositions, articles, conjunctions)
- Spotting errors and sentence improvement
- Synonyms, antonyms and one-word substitution
- Idioms & phrases and common vocabulary
- Active-passive voice and direct-indirect speech
- Para-jumbles and sentence arrangement
- Spellings, basic grammar and word usage
General Intelligence & Reasoning
- Analogy and classification (word, letter, number)
- Series: number, letter and alpha-numeric
- Coding-decoding and symbol codes
- Blood relations and family trees
- Direction sense and distance tests
- Ranking, arrangement and puzzles
- Syllogisms and logical deduction
- Statements & conclusions / assumptions
- Venn diagrams and set operations
- Mathematical operations and arithmetical reasoning
- Clock, calendar and age problems
- Non-verbal: mirror images, paper folding, figure series
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number system: HCF, LCM, simplification
- Percentages, profit & loss and discount
- Simple and compound interest
- Ratio, proportion and partnership
- Averages, mixtures and alligations
- Time & work and pipes & cisterns
- Time, speed & distance and trains
- Menstruation: area, perimeter, volume
- Algebra: linear and quadratic equations
- Data interpretation: tables, bar graphs, pie charts
- Probability and permutation-combination basics
General Awareness
- Current affairs (last 6-12 months): national & international
- Indian history: ancient, medieval and modern
- Indian polity: Constitution, Parliament, judiciary
- Indian economy: budget, banking and taxation
- Geography of India and world
- Sports events, tournaments and awards
- Books, authors and important honours
- Science & technology: ISRO, DRDO and launches
- Environment, climate change and biodiversity
- Flagships and welfare schemes of the Government of India
- Static GK: capitals, currencies, days and organisations
Computer Knowledge (typically for UDC)
- Computer fundamentals: hardware, software, input-output devices
- Operating systems: Windows, file and folder management
- Word processing: MS Word basics and shortcuts
- Spreadsheets: MS Excel, formulas, functions, charts
- Presentations: MS PowerPoint basics
- Databases: tables, records and queries basics
- Internet: browsers, email and web services
- Networks: LAN, WAN, topologies and protocols
- Cyber security: passwords, phishing, malware
Nursing (for Nursing Officer post)
- Fundamentals of nursing: patient care, hygiene, vital signs
- Medical-surgical nursing across body systems
- Obstetrics and gynaecological nursing
- Pediatric nursing and childhood illnesses
- Community health nursing and primary care
- Pharmacology and drug administration
- Infection control and biomedical waste management
- Emergency and critical care nursing, first aid, CPR
- Psychiatric (mental health) nursing basics
- Nursing ethics, legal aspects and patient rights
- National health programmes (Ayushman Bharat, immunisation)
Marking Scheme
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Marks per question | Prelims: 2 marks; Mains: 1 mark; Nursing/paramedical: usually 1 mark |
| Negative marking | 0.25 mark deducted for every incorrect answer |
| Unattempted questions | No penalty |
| Prelims | Qualifying in nature; a standardised qualifying score shortlists candidates for Mains |
| Mains / Main CBT | Merit deciding; final merit list normally based on Mains score (or as per notification) |
| Skill test | Typing/stenography test is qualifying; typing speed 35 wpm English or 30 wpm Hindi (UDC, previous cycle) |
| Cut-off factors | Category-wise cut-offs (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD) based on vacancy, difficulty and competition |
Eligibility Criteria
| Post | Educational Qualification | Age Limit (as per previous cycle) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Division Clerk (UDC) | Graduate from a recognised university plus working knowledge of computer applications (office suites, databases) | 18–27 years |
| Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) | Matriculation (10th pass) or equivalent from a recognised board | 18–25 years |
| Social Security Officer / Manager Grade II | Graduate plus working knowledge of computer applications | Up to 30 years |
| Nursing Officer | B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing / B.Sc. Nursing, or GNM with relevant registration | As per NORCET notification (generally 21–30/35 years) |
| Paramedical (Pharmacist, Lab Technician, etc.) | Diploma/degree in the respective discipline from a recognised institution plus registration where required | Varies by post (commonly 18–27/30 years) |
| Insurance Medical Officer / Dental Surgeon | MBBS/BDS degree with registration with the relevant council | Varies by notification (commonly up to 30–35 years) |
Age relaxation: Relaxation in the upper age limit is provided to reserved categories (SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years, ex-servicemen and departmental candidates as per rules). Candidates must be Indian citizens or belong to the specified categories (subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, Tibetan refugees arriving before 1 January 1962, persons of Indian origin migrated from specified countries). There is generally no restriction on the number of attempts within the age ceiling.
Application Process & Fees
- Visit the official website https://www.esic.gov.in and open the Recruitments section.
- Read the detailed notification PDF for your post and check eligibility, dates and vacancy details.
- Register on the application portal with name, mobile, email and basic details; complete OTP-based verification.
- Fill the online form with educational, category and address details.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature and category/disability certificates in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the application fee online via net banking, debit/credit card or UPI.
- Submit, note your registration number, and keep a printout of the form and fee receipt.
Application Fees (based on the previous combined recruitment cycle)
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST, PwBD, Women, Ex-Servicemen and Departmental candidates | Rs. 250/- |
| General and OBC candidates | Rs. 500/- |
Fees for medical and paramedical notifications may differ; confirm the fee schedule in the specific notification PDF.
Salary / Pay Scale
ESIC follows the 7th Central Pay Commission pay structure. Approximate pay bands (from the previous combined recruitment cycle) are:
| Post | Pay Level | Pay Scale (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) | Level 1 | Rs. 18,000 – 56,900 |
| Lower Division Clerk (LDC) | Level 2 | Rs. 19,900 – 63,200 |
| Upper Division Clerk (UDC) | Level 4 | Rs. 25,500 – 81,100 |
| Head Clerk / Assistant | Level 6 | Rs. 35,400 – 1,12,400 |
| Social Security Officer / Manager Grade II | Level 7 | Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400 |
| Nursing Officer | As per NORCET/ESIC scale | Level 7 (approx. Rs. 44,900 – 1,42,400) |
| Insurance Medical Officer | As per notification | Level 10 or equivalent (approx. Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500) |
In addition to the basic pay, employees receive dearness allowance, HRA, transport allowance and other allowances as per Government rules, giving a typical in-hand salary of roughly Rs. 25,000–35,000 for UDC and Rs. 50,000–70,000+ for officer-level posts (indicative figures).
Official Links & Resources
- ESIC Official Website – the primary source for all recruitment notifications
- ESIC Recruitments Section – search all current and past recruitment notices, results and interview schedules
- ESIC Recruitment Regulations – governing rules for recruitment of various ESIC posts
- AIIMS NORCET-11 Notification – the common eligibility test through which ESIC recruited Nursing Officers (application closed 13 August 2026)
Note: Individual ESIC medical colleges and hospitals (e.g., ESIC MCH Faridabad, ESIC Medical College Bibvewadi Pune, Hyderabad, Indore, Surat, etc.) publish their own contractual notices for faculty, senior residents, medical officers and specialists on the ESIC recruitments portal. For every vacancy, the official notification PDF is the only authoritative source of dates, pattern and eligibility.
Preparation Tips & Strategy
- Daily current affairs habit: Read the last 6–12 months of national/international news, schemes, sports and awards for the General Awareness section.
- Speed in Quant: Practise simplification, percentage and data interpretation daily with timed sets; aim for 90%+ accuracy because of negative marking.
- Reasoning under timer: Solve puzzles, syllogisms and series in exam conditions; 60 minutes for 100 questions means roughly 36 seconds per question.
- English basics: Revise grammar, vocabulary and comprehension; previous papers emphasise error spotting, cloze tests and reading passages.
- Full-length mocks: Simulate the real CBT, then analyse errors topic-wise and revise weak areas before the next mock.
- Skill test early: UDC aspirants should practise touch typing to clear 35 wpm (English) / 30 wpm (Hindi); stenographers should drill shorthand speed and transcription.
- Respect negative marking: Skipping a doubtful question is usually safer than random guessing at 0.25 penalty.
- For medical/paramedical aspirants: Revise standard nursing/medical textbooks, national health programmes, drug calculations and infection-control protocols, and practise NORCET-style questions.
FAQ
Q: What is ESIC and who conducts the ESIC recruitment exam?
ESIC is a statutory social security body under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India. It conducts its own recruitment for most posts; for some recent cycles clerical recruitment was conducted through the Staff Selection Commission and Nursing Officer recruitment through the AIIMS NORCET common test.
Q: Is there negative marking in the ESIC exam?
Yes. In the CBT pattern, 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer; there is no penalty for unattempted questions.
Q: What is the typing test for ESIC UDC?
UDC candidates must clear a qualifying typing test at 35 wpm in English or 30 wpm in Hindi (based on the previous cycle).
Q: Can I apply if I have only passed Class 10?
Yes, for the Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) post a Matriculation pass is sufficient. UDC and SSO require graduation, and medical/paramedical posts require their specific professional qualifications.
Q: What is the selection process for ESIC Nursing Officer posts?
Nursing Officer recruitment is conducted through the AIIMS Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET), a subject-specific CBT followed by document verification. The NORCET-11 application window for ESIC closed on 13 August 2026.
Q: What is the application fee?
Based on the previous combined cycle, it was Rs. 500 for General/OBC and Rs. 250 for SC/ST, PwBD, women, ex-servicemen and departmental candidates. Confirm the fee in each notification.
Final Note
ESIC notifications, admit cards, answer keys and results are published only on the official website. New vacancies are announced from time to time, so bookmark the ESIC Recruitments page, read every official notification PDF carefully and apply before the last date.