The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Regional Office-Maharashtra, a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has issued a notice vide File No. T-11/12/2/2016-Legal dated 10 August 2026 inviting applications from practicing Advocates for empanelment as Panel Counsel/Advocates (2026-29) to represent ESIC before the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay (including Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Kolhapur Benches), EI Courts, CAT-Mumbai and Nagpur Benches, MM Courts, District and Sessions Courts, Consumer Fora, CGIT, NCLT, and various other courts and judicial/quasi-judicial forums across Maharashtra. The indicative number of empanelment positions is 366 across 74 court/tribunal locations in Maharashtra, though ESIC has stated this number may change as per requirement. This is NOT a salaried job – it is a professional empanelment on a case-fee basis for the period 2026 to 2029. Applications in the prescribed format (Annexure-II for fresh applicants, Annexure-III for existing panel Advocates) must reach the Regional Director, ESIC, Regional Office-Maharashtra, Mumbai, on or before 28 August 2026, till 17:00 hours. Minimum eligibility: LLB degree + Bar Council registration + 5 years’ practice experience (EI Court/MM Court) or 10 years’ experience (High Court/CAT).
Important Note: Three things every eligible Advocate must check before applying. First, this is a professional empanelment, not a salaried government job – no retainer fee is paid merely for being on the panel; payment is only for actual work done, at fee rates prescribed in ESIC’s Office Memorandum dated 25 March 2026; you must obtain a copy of this fee schedule before applying and ensure the professional arrangement suits you. Second, existing ESIC panel Advocates must reapply – the current ESIC RO-Maharashtra panel will cease once the new 2026-29 panel is finalized; existing panel Advocates must submit a fresh application in Annexure-III format and cannot assume their existing empanelment will automatically continue. Third, the conflict-of-interest conditions are strict and binding – once empanelled, you cannot represent any party against ESIC, cannot use the ESIC name on your letterhead, and must maintain strict confidentiality; de-empanelment can happen for any of several reasons including missing hearings without sufficient cause.
ESIC Maharashtra Advocates Empanelment 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Regional Office-Maharashtra |
| Ministry | Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India |
| File No. | T-11/12/2/2016-Legal dated 10 August 2026 |
| Nature of Engagement | Professional empanelment as Panel Counsel – NOT salaried employment |
| Panel Tenure | 2026-2029 (ordinarily 3 years) |
| Courts Covered | High Court of Bombay (all benches), EI Courts, CAT, MM Courts, District and Sessions Courts, Consumer Fora, CGIT, NCLT, and other courts across Maharashtra |
| Total Indicative Positions | 366 (across 74 court/tribunal locations; subject to change) |
| Application Mode | Offline only – Annexure-II (fresh) or Annexure-III (existing panel) |
| Last Date to Apply | 28 August 2026, till 17:00 hours |
| Experience Reckoning Date | 01 July 2026 |
| Fee | No retainer fee; case-fee basis per ESIC OM dated 25 March 2026 |
| Official Website | romaharashtra.esic.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Date | 10 August 2026 |
| Experience Reckoning Date | 01 July 2026 |
| Application Submission Last Date | 28 August 2026 (till 17:00 hours) |
Court-wise Indicative Vacancy Details
| Court/Tribunal | Location | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| High Court of Bombay | Mumbai | 47 |
| EI Court | Mumbai | 60 |
| MM Court | Mumbai | 9 |
| CAT – Mumbai Bench | Mumbai | 3 |
| District and Sessions Court | Mumbai | 1 |
| CGIT | Mumbai | 1 |
| NCLT | Mumbai | 1 |
| EI Court | Thane | 37 |
| MM Court | Thane | 3 |
| District and Sessions Court | Thane | 1 |
| EI Court | Pune | 37 |
| MM Court | Pune | 4 |
| District and Sessions Court | Pune | 1 |
| EI Court | Pune (Khed Rajgurunagar) | 4 |
| MM Court | Pune (Khed Rajgurunagar) | 2 |
| MM Court | Pune (Akurdi) | 1 |
| MM Court | Pune (Shirur) | 1 |
| EI Court | Nashik | 20 |
| MM Court | Nashik | 8 |
| High Court of Bombay, Nagpur Bench | Nagpur | 13 |
| EI Court | Nagpur | 13 |
| MM Court | Nagpur | 27 |
| CAT – Nagpur Bench | Nagpur | 1 |
| Consumer Court | Nagpur | 5 |
| District and Sessions Court | Nagpur | 1 |
| High Court of Bombay, Aurangabad Bench | Aurangabad | 5 |
| EI Court | Aurangabad | 3 |
| MM Court | Aurangabad | 5 |
| High Court of Bombay, Kolhapur Bench | Kolhapur | 1 |
| EI Court | Kolhapur | 1 |
| MM Court | Kolhapur | 1 |
| EI Court | Kolhapur (Peth Vadgaon) | 1 |
| MM Court | Kolhapur (Peth Vadgaon) | 1 |
| EI Court | Kolhapur (Radhanagari) | 1 |
| MM Court | Kolhapur (Radhanagari) | 1 |
| MM Court | Ichalkaranji | 1 |
| EI Court | Satara | 2 |
| MM Court | Satara | 1 |
| EI Court | Sangli | 4 |
| MM Court | Sangli | 1 |
| MM Court | Islampur | 1 |
| MM Court | Kadegaon | 1 |
| EI Court | Solapur | 2 |
| MM Court | Solapur | 1 |
| MM Court | Barshi | 1 |
| EI Court | Ahmednagar | 1 |
| MM Court | Ahmednagar | 1 |
| EI Court | Dhule | 1 |
| MM Court | Dhule | 1 |
| EI Court | Jalgaon | 1 |
| MM Court | Jalgaon | 1 |
| MM Court | Jalgaon (Shirpur) | 1 |
| EI Court | Jalna | 1 |
| MM Court | Jalna | 1 |
| EI Court | Nanded | 1 |
| MM Court | Nanded | 1 |
| EI Court | Osmanabad (Dharashiv) | 1 |
| EI Court | Parbhani | 1 |
| EI Court | Buldhana | 1 |
| MM Court | Buldhana | 1 |
| EI Court | Chandrapur | 1 |
| MM Court | Chandrapur | 1 |
| EI Court | Amravati | 1 |
| MM Court | Amravati | 1 |
| EI Court | Bhandara | 1 |
| MM Court | Bhandara | 1 |
| EI Court | Akola | 2 |
| MM Court | Akola | 1 |
| EI Court | Gondia | 1 |
| MM Court | Gondia | 1 |
| EI Court | Hinganghat | 1 |
| MM Court | Hinganghat | 1 |
| EI Court | Yavatmal | 1 |
| MM Court | Yavatmal | 1 |
| Total | 366 |
All figures are indicative and may change as per requirement.
Eligibility
- Qualification: LLB (Bachelor’s Degree in Law) from a recognised university in India.
- Registration: Must be enrolled with the Bar Council of India or a State Bar Council.
- Office: Must have an office at the location where empanelment is sought, with adequate infrastructure (accessible chambers, library, manpower, communication).
Minimum Court Practice Experience (as on 01 July 2026)
| Court/Forum | Minimum Experience |
|---|---|
| High Court | At least 10 years in High Court(s) |
| CAT and other Courts/Tribunals | At least 10 years in High Court, CAT, and other Courts |
| EI Court | At least 5 years in various Courts/Tribunals |
| MM Court | At least 5 years in various Courts/Tribunals |
The Regional Director may relax experience requirements or specify additional conditions as deemed fit.
Professional Fee
- No retainer fee is paid merely for empanelment.
- Fees for handling ESIC cases are payable on a per-case/per-appearance basis as per ESIC Office Memorandum No. T-11/15/2/2016-Vol-II/T-11/15/12/2016-Vol-II dated 25 March 2026.
- The exact fee rates are not published in this notification – obtain the fee schedule separately before applying.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Submission | Prescribed Annexure-II/III format with all documents, before 28 August 2026 |
| Shortlisting | ESIC shortlists at its discretion – meeting eligibility does not guarantee a call |
| Interaction | Shortlisted Advocates called for interaction before the Selection Committee (Regional Director + 2 external legal experts); no TA/DA |
| Final Selection | Decision of ESIC is final; selected list published on romaharashtra.esic.gov.in |
No examination. Canvassing in any form leads to immediate disqualification.
Documents Required
- Copy of LLB degree and other qualifications
- Bar Council registration certificate
- Bar Association identity card
- Government-issued photo ID and Aadhaar Card
- PAN Card
- Copies of empanelment letters from other authorities (if any)
- Resume with experience profile, client list, and nature of cases handled
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs
- Income Tax Returns for the last two financial years
- Undertaking and declaration regarding conflict of interest
Key Conditions and Duties of Empanelment
- Empanelment does not bind ESIC to allocate any work; case allocation is at ESIC’s sole discretion.
- Empanelled Advocates must handle cases personally – delegation not permitted.
- Cannot use ESIC’s name, logo, or any associated designation on letterhead or signboards.
- Must not represent any party against ESIC or advise any party against ESIC during the panel tenure.
- Must attend every hearing; unattended hearings are a serious violation and may result in de-empanelment.
- Must maintain strict confidentiality of all ESIC matters and case details.
- Performance is subject to periodic review.
- ESIC may terminate empanelment with one month’s written notice without assigning any reason; an Advocate wishing to exit must give three months’ notice.
- Grounds for de-empanelment include: furnishing false information, missing hearings without sufficient reason, acting against ESIC’s instructions, leaking case information, and poor performance.
- Existing ESIC RO-Maharashtra panel Advocates must reapply in Annexure-III format; the current panel ceases once the new one is finalized.
How to Apply for ESIC Maharashtra Advocates Empanelment 2026
- Download the official notification and prescribed application formats (Annexure-II and Annexure-III) from the official ESIC website at romaharashtra.esic.gov.in (Recruitment section).
- Choose the correct format: Annexure-II for fresh applicant Advocates; Annexure-III for Advocates already on the existing ESIC RO-Maharashtra panel.
- Fill the application in block letters with accurate personal, educational, practice, and experience details; include current empanelment status with other bodies, details of ESIC-related cases handled earlier, bank/PAN/Aadhaar details, and disclosures regarding any disciplinary or criminal proceedings.
- Attach self-attested copies of all required documents.
- Sign the undertaking confirming all information is true and that you agree to ESIC’s fee schedule and confidentiality requirements.
- Send the completed application with all enclosures to:
The Regional Director, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, Regional Office-Maharashtra, 5th Floor, M.G.M. Hospital, Dr. S.S. Rao Road, Parel, Mumbai – 400012
Superscribe the envelope with: “Application for the Empanelment of Advocates for Hon’ble High Court of Bombay / Hon’ble EI Court / Hon’ble CAT Mumbai Bench / Hon’ble MM Court / Various other Courts in the State of Maharashtra”
- Ensure the application physically reaches ESIC RO-Maharashtra on or before 28 August 2026, till 17:00 hours.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF (File No. T-11/12/2/2016-Legal) | Click Here |
| ESIC Maharashtra Regional Office Official Website | Click Here |
Postal Address:
Regional Director, ESIC, Regional Office-Maharashtra, 5th Floor, M.G.M. Hospital, Dr. S.S. Rao Road, Parel, Mumbai – 400012
ESIC Maharashtra Advocates Empanelment 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is ESIC Maharashtra Advocates Empanelment 2026?
✅ It is a notice by ESIC, Regional Office-Maharashtra (Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India) under File No. T-11/12/2/2016-Legal dated 10 August 2026 for empanelment of 366 Panel Counsel/Advocates (2026-29) to represent ESIC before the High Court of Bombay and 74 courts and tribunals across Maharashtra. It is a professional empanelment, not a salaried government job.
Q2. What is the last date to apply?
✅ The application must physically reach ESIC, Regional Office-Maharashtra, Mumbai, on or before 28 August 2026, till 17:00 hours. Plan postal dispatch with adequate lead time from your location.
Q3. Is there an application fee?
✅ No application fee. Payment to empanelled Advocates is on a per-case/per-appearance basis as per ESIC’s fee schedule (OM dated 25 March 2026). No retainer fee is paid for merely being on the panel.
Q4. What is the minimum experience required?
✅ 5 years of professional court practice experience (for EI Court and MM Court positions) and 10 years (for High Court and CAT positions) as on 01 July 2026. The Regional Director may relax these conditions.
Q5. Can existing ESIC panel Advocates continue automatically?
✅ No. Existing ESIC RO-Maharashtra panel Advocates must reapply using Annexure-III format. The current panel ceases once the new 2026-29 panel is finalized, and automatic continuation is not permitted.
Q6. What form should I use?
✅ Annexure-II for fresh applicant Advocates; Annexure-III for Advocates already on the current ESIC RO-Maharashtra panel. Both forms are available on romaharashtra.esic.gov.in.
Q7. Can I use ESIC’s name on my letterhead after empanelment?
✅ No. Empanelled Advocates cannot use ESIC’s name, logo, or designations like “Legal Advisor of ESIC” on their letterhead, signboard, or any other material, unless specifically authorized.
Q8. Can I represent a client against ESIC while on the panel?
✅ No. Empanelled Advocates cannot represent any party against ESIC, advise any party against ESIC, or accept any case against ESIC during the empanelment tenure.
Q9. How is the selection done?
✅ ESIC shortlists applications at its discretion. Shortlisted Advocates are called for an interaction before a Selection Committee (Regional Director + 2 external legal experts). No examination is conducted. The final list is published on romaharashtra.esic.gov.in. ESIC’s decision is final.
Q10. How long is the panel tenure?
✅ The panel is ordinarily constituted for 3 years – 2026 to 2029. It can be discontinued or extended before expiry for recorded reasons. If the new panel is not constituted before the existing one expires, the existing panel continues until the new one is finalized.
Disclaimer
The information above is compiled from the ESIC Maharashtra Advocates Empanelment 2026 notice (File No. T-11/12/2/2016-Legal dated 10 August 2026), issued by the Regional Director, ESIC, Regional Office-Maharashtra, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, as available on the official ESIC website. The 366 positions are indicative and may change. This is a professional empanelment, not a salaried government appointment. Candidates must download and read the complete official notification from romaharashtra.esic.gov.in before applying.
