Government reports nearly 30 crore unregistered Indian laborers on the e-Shram portal
The e-Shram portal, launched by the Indian government, is a significant initiative aimed at registering and supporting the country's vast unorganised workforce (over 30 crore workers). This platform provides a Universal Account Number (UAN) based on self-declaration to empower unorganised workers by linking them to various social security, insurance, skill development, and welfare schemes in a single portal[1][2][3][4][5].
Key Features of the e-Shram Portal
- Registration of unorganised workers across urban and rural areas, including gig and platform workers like delivery personnel from Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola[1][2].
- Provision of a unique e-Shram Card (UAN) free of cost, serving as a national identity for unorganised workers to access government benefits[1][2].
- The portal and mobile app are available in 22 Indian languages, enhancing ease of use[1].
- Workers can update their details online anytime[1].
Benefits Offered through the e-Shram Card
- Accident insurance cover of ₹2 lakh under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), including death, permanent, and partial disability[1][2].
- Linkage to pension schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) providing future pension benefits[1][3].
- Priority access to various skill development and training programs helping workers enhance their employability[1][3].
- Simplified registration and access to health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat - PM Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)[1][3].
- Financial assistance during emergencies such as COVID-19[1].
- Portability of benefits, especially helping migrant workers to continue receiving social security across locations[2].
- Direct access to government schemes and personalized updates through the portal[1].
Linked Central Government Schemes
The e-Shram portal is integrated with several central government schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PMSVANidhi), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin and Urban (PMAY-G and PMAY-U), Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM), among others[3][4][5].
Evolution and Expansion
This one-stop solution portal is continually evolving to integrate more welfare schemes, aiming to improve the coverage and quality of social security for unorganised sector workers[3][4]. The e-Shram portal is linked to Open Government Data Platform (OGD), Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG), National Career Service (NCS), Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), and Digital Locker (DigiLocker)[1][2][3][4][5].
As of 5 August 2025, more than 30.98 crore unorganised workers in India have registered on the e-Shram portal. The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the new version of e-Shram on 21 October 2024. Microsites help states get data and reports about workers in their area, and special Microsites were launched for each state and union territory on 29 January 2025 to aid local governments in utilizing e-Shram[6][7].
In summary, the e-Shram portal significantly improves the identification, inclusion, and welfare of unorganised workers in India by offering a centralized digital platform linked to multiple social security, insurance, health, pension, housing, and skill development schemes. This enhances their access to government benefits, financial protection, and employment opportunities.
The e-Shram portal, a digital initiative by the Indian government, is part of policy-and-legislation efforts to support the unorganised workforce, making it a key point in general-news discussions. This platform links millions of unorganised workers to various social security, insurance, and welfare schemes, enabling them to access crucial benefits and opportunities due to politics and related legislative changes.
The e-Shram portal, designed to provide a comprehensive support system, includes making gig workers from Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola eligible for registration and offering a national identity - the e-Shram Card - to unorganised workers, facilitating their access to government benefits. This process falls under policy-and-legislation and broader discussions on politics and general-news.
