🎯 Schemes & WelfareMAINS · GS2.12 · GS3.2

e-Shram crosses 31.78 crore registrations — building a national database of unorganised workers

The e-Shram portal — India's National Database of Unorganised Workers, covering gig, platform and migrant workers — has registered over 31.78 crore workers, giving each a Universal Account Number on self-declaration, as the government works to extend social security to the vast unorganised workforce.

What happened

The e-Shram portal has registered over 31.78 crore unorganised workers (as of 14 July 2026).
It builds a National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) — including gig, platform and migrant workers.
Each registered worker gets a Universal Account Number (UAN) on a self-declaration basis.
Launched on 26 August 2021, it added State/UT Microsites (29 Jan 2025) to tailor services locally.
It is a one-stop platform linking social-security and welfare schemes for the unorganised workforce.

For Prelims

e-Shram: The portal (launched 26 August 2021) building the National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) with a Universal Account Number (UAN) per worker.
Unorganised sector: Workers without formal employer-based social security — the vast majority of India's workforce (construction, agriculture, gig/platform, domestic work, etc.).
Gig & platform workers: App-based workers (delivery, ride-hailing); the Code on Social Security, 2020 formally recognises and aims to cover them.
Self-declaration: Registration is self-declared (Aadhaar-linked) — lowering barriers to enrolment.
Portability: A national database helps deliver portable benefits to migrant workers across states.
Social security: Linked schemes include pension (PM-SYM), insurance (PMJJBY/PMSBY) and welfare programmes.

For UPSC: A key labour-and-welfare item — formalising and extending social security to the unorganised workforce via a national database. Use it for the unorganised/gig economy, the Code on Social Security 2020, portable welfare for migrant workers, and Digital-Public-Infrastructure-enabled delivery.

What it is NOT: This is a registration-progress update (cumulative numbers) on an existing portal, not a new scheme or benefit. Registration on e-Shram enables access to linked benefits; it is not itself a cash transfer or guarantee.

For Mains

Syllabus: GS2.12 · GS3.2 · Linkage L2

Anchor

Social security for the informal workforce — a verified national database to reach unorganised and gig workers.

Substantiation (data)

e-Shram (launched 26 Aug 2021): 31.78 crore+ unorganised workers registered (14 July 2026); UAN on self-declaration; covers gig/platform/migrant workers; State/UT Microsites since Jan 2025; links to social-security schemes.

Exemplification

The NDUW and UAN enabling portable welfare; the Code on Social Security 2020 extending cover to gig/platform workers.

Problematisation

Converting registration into actual benefit delivery, keeping data updated, and financing social security at scale.

Way-forward

Link registration to concrete benefits (pension/insurance/welfare), ensure portability, and formalise gig-work protections.

Position

A portable, verified database is foundational to universal social security for informal workers.

Deploys into: Schemes & welfare — welfare of vulnerable sections + inclusive growth (GS2.12, GS3.2) · e-Shram and the NDUW, the unorganised/gig economy, the Code on Social Security 2020, and portable social security.

Ministry of Labour & Employment · 2026-07-20 · PRID 2286757 · PIB source ↗