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Centre launches scheme for free health check-ups for workers
On May 7, 2026, the Union Labour Ministry launched a nationwide scheme offering free annual health check-ups for workers above 40. The initiative aims to enable early disease detection and provide treatment through ESIC facilities, while linking to broader social security gains and Labour Codes provisions.
Why It Matters
The program expands preventive healthcare for a large segment of India's workforce and strengthens social security coverage.
Timeline
2 Events
Launch of free health check-up scheme for workers above 40
May 7, 2026
The Union Labour Ministry launched a scheme offering free health check-ups for all workers above 40 years, to be conducted nationwide annually. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the scheme, framing it as a milestone in occupational healthcare and social security coverage. Screenings aim for early disease detection, and treatment and medicines identified during the camps will be provided through ESIC facilities. The minister cited Labour Codes provisions including equal wages for men and women, maternity leave expanded from 12 to 26 weeks, and work-from-home provisions for women, with gig workers included.
Historical context: Social security expansion since 2016
2016
The article notes that social security protection expanded from nearly 30 crore people a decade ago to around 94 crore beneficiaries now, and that Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) coverage increased from around 7 crore to nearly 15 crore beneficiaries.