India’s workforce is vast and diverse, but over 90% of it belongs to the “unorganized sector.” These are the construction laborers, migrant workers, street vendors, domestic help, agricultural laborers, and gig economy workers who form the backbone of our economy. For decades, this massive workforce has been largely “invisible” in official records, making it incredibly difficult for the government to design and deliver targeted social security benefits. This challenge became starkly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To solve this fundamental problem of invisibility, the Ministry of Labour & Employment launched the e-Shram Portal on August 26, 2021. This is a landmark initiative to create the first-ever comprehensive National Database of Unorganized Workers (NDUW), a crucial first step towards providing universal social security.
What is the e-Shram Portal?
- Full Name: e-Shram Portal
- Launched: August 26, 2021
- Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment
- The Goal: To register an estimated 38 crore unorganized workers and provide each of them with a unique 12-digit e-Shram Card containing a Universal Account Number (UAN).
- The Key Idea: To create a centralized, Aadhaar-seeded database that recognizes the identity and occupation of every unorganized worker. This database will serve as a single point of reference for implementing social security schemes and providing aid during crises.
What are the Benefits for a Worker?
Registering on the e-Shram portal provides several immediate and long-term benefits.
1. A Formal Identity
For the first time, an unorganized worker receives a formal identity card that recognizes their occupation and skills. This e-Shram card serves as a nationally accepted proof of their status as an unorganized worker.
2. Accident Insurance Cover
This is a major, tangible benefit. Every worker who registers on the portal is automatically enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
- The premium of ₹20 for the first year is paid by the government.
- This provides a free accident insurance cover of ₹2 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability, and ₹1 lakh for partial disability.
3. A Gateway to Social Security Schemes
The e-Shram database is designed to be the primary platform through which all future social security benefits for unorganized workers will be delivered. The government can use this database to directly transfer financial aid, pension benefits, or other welfare scheme benefits to registered workers.
4. Portability of Benefits
The e-Shram UAN is valid across the country. This is a huge advantage for migrant workers. A worker from Bihar who is registered on the portal can access social security benefits in Kerala, where they might be working, without needing to re-register.
Who Can Register and How?
The registration process is simple and completely free.
- Eligibility: Any unorganized sector worker between the ages of 16 and 59. The person should not be a member of the formal sector social security schemes like EPFO or ESIC, and should not be an income taxpayer.
- How to Register:
- Self-registration: A worker can register themselves through the official e-Shram portal (eshram.gov.in) if their Aadhaar is linked to their mobile number.
- Assisted registration: They can visit their nearest Common Service Center (CSC), State Seva Kendra, or Post Office for free, assisted registration.
- Documents Needed: The process is minimal. The only mandatory documents are an Aadhaar number, a mobile number, and bank account details.
- The e-Shram Card: Upon successful registration, the worker receives their e-Shram card with the unique 12-digit UAN.
The Human Touch: From Invisible to Included
Gopal is a migrant construction worker from a small village in Uttar Pradesh who works in Delhi. For years, he was just an anonymous face in the vast city. He had no official proof of his occupation, and during the pandemic lockdown, he missed out on several relief schemes because his name wasn’t on any official list.
A local NGO organized a registration camp for the e-Shram portal at his work site. With the help of a volunteer, Gopal registered in just a few minutes using his Aadhaar card. He was immediately given his printed e-Shram card.
A few months later, the government announced a special financial assistance package for registered construction workers to help them during a period of high inflation. Because Gopal’s details were now on the e-Shram database, the assistance amount was transferred directly to his bank account. For the first time, he felt seen and included by the system. The card also gave him immense peace of mind, knowing that he and his family were protected by a ₹2 lakh accident insurance cover.
Impact and Challenges
Impact
- Massive Registration: The portal has seen a phenomenal response, with over 29 crore workers registered as of September 2025. This makes it one of the largest databases of its kind in the world.
- Data for Policymaking: The government now possesses a rich, dynamic dataset on the unorganized workforce, including their diverse occupations, skills, and migration patterns. This data is invaluable for creating evidence-based policies.
Challenges
- Reaching the Last Mile: The biggest challenge is to reach and register the most marginalized and remote workers, who may lack access to CSCs or even basic documents.
- Delivering on the Promise: The registration is just the first step. The ultimate success of the portal will be measured by how effectively it is used to deliver a comprehensive and meaningful package of social security benefits to the workers.
Conclusion
The e-Shram Portal is a foundational and revolutionary initiative aimed at providing social security to the vast, unorganized workforce of India. It is a digital platform of inclusion that seeks to make every worker visible, counted, and protected. While the creation of the database is the first step, the e-Shram portal has laid the critical groundwork to become the primary vehicle for delivering a universal social safety net, ensuring that the workers who build the nation are themselves supported and secure.