Can I Verify My Employer's LIN Online? Yes. Here's the Exact Process in 2026

The short answer is yes. You can verify your employer’s Labour Identification Number (LIN) online. But the process and what you actually see on the screen might not match what you expect.

The LIN is a 10-digit identifier assigned to every inspectable establishment under Indian labour laws. It sits at the heart of the Shram Suvidha Portal, the government’s single-window platform for central labour compliance. The portal is designed to consolidate old employer codes from EPFO, ESIC, CLRA, and DGMS into one unified number.

From a verification standpoint, there are two distinct scenarios: an employee verifying their employer’s LIN, and an employer verifying or linking their own LIN. The process varies significantly between the two.

For Employees: The “Know Your LIN” Public Search

As an employee, you do not need to log in to the Shram Suvidha Portal to check your employer’s LIN. The government has made a public search feature available specifically for this purpose.

Here is the exact process:

  1. Go to the Shram Suvidha Portal homepage at shramsuvidha.gov.in.
  2. Look for the “Know Your LIN” tab on the main page menu.
  3. Click on it. You will be taken to a search screen.
  4. Enter any of the following identifiers to locate the establishment:
    • The employer’s EPFO code
    • The ESIC registration number
    • The PAN of the establishment
    • A part of the establishment’s name

The portal will return the LIN assigned to that establishment along with basic registered details. The government explicitly introduced this feature because many employers did not receive their LIN allotment communications due to incomplete or outdated contact information.

For Employers: Verification Requires Registration and Linking

If you are an employer or an authorised representative trying to verify the data associated with your own LIN, the process requires registration and linking.

The “Know Your LIN” feature mentioned above will tell you if a LIN exists for your establishment. But to verify the associated data or request modifications, you must take the following steps.

  1. Register on the Shram Suvidha Portal: You need to create an account using a valid email ID and mobile number. OTP verification is required to activate the account.
  2. Search for Your LIN: Use the “Know Your LIN” feature from the main menu to search for your establishment’s LIN using any of the identifiers mentioned above.
  3. Link the Establishment: Once you find the LIN, log in to your portal account. From the left-hand menu, select “Link Establishment”.
  4. Provide Details: You will need to enter the LIN number and either the previous representative’s contact details (registered mobile and email) or choose the “generate authorization letter” option to establish your authority to represent the establishment.
  5. Verify Data: After linking, you can use the “Verify Data” option from the main menu to check the information associated with your LIN. This is where you can request modifications. These requests are verified by the regional head of one of the labour enforcement agencies and then approved on the portal.

The Statutory Framework Behind LIN

The LIN mandate originates from the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020. Section 3 of the OSH Code requires every establishment to register electronically and obtain a registration number, which is the LIN. The Code on Social Security, 2020, Section 29 further links contribution obligations to this registration framework, making the LIN the central identifier for all social security contributions.

The OSH Code also provides that existing establishments registered under any other central labour laws shall be deemed to be registered under the Code. However, they must update their particulars on the Shram Suvidha Portal within six months from the date the Code comes into force.

The Risk of Assuming Verification is Enough

Verifying a LIN is just the first step. The real compliance burden lies in ensuring the LIN is correctly linked and that the data mirrors your actual operations.

A mismatch between the data on the LIN application and your actual payroll remittances is a red flag. The portal cross-matches your PAN, GSTIN, employee count, and wage data. If your declared worker count differs from your EPF contributions, it triggers an automated flag.

There is also the question of state compliance. The LIN is for central compliance reporting. It does not replace state-level registrations like Shops & Establishments Act or Professional Tax. An employer who believes their LIN is a one-stop solution for all compliance across India will run into trouble with state authorities.

The penalty framework is clear. Non-registration or failure to update or link LIN can attract fines and inspection-based enforcement under the Codes. The Shram Suvidha Portal also facilitates real-time monitoring of inspections, and inspectors are required to upload reports online, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The Bottom Line on LIN Verification

For an employee, the public “Know Your LIN” feature is straightforward and requires no login. For an employer, verification is a multi-step process that requires registration, linking, and potentially, data modification.

The LIN is going to subsume all old employer codes. Employers must proactively verify and link their LIN to ensure compliance; data mismatches may trigger automated scrutiny and enforcement. The government’s goal is to eliminate duplicate employer codes and streamline labour law compliance under a unified digital framework.

DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only, based on available Central and State notifications as of August 2026. It is not formal legal counsel. Please consult a qualified lawyer for advice tailored to your establishment’s specific operations.