2 February 2026·PIB

e-SHRAM CARDS FOR UNORGANIZED WORKERS

In this note

1. At a Glance

e-Shram portal is a self-declaration based National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) seeded with Aadhaar, issuing a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN) and e-Shram card. [1][2]
Launched by the Ministry of Labour & Employment on 26 August 2021; world's largest database of unorganised workers. [2][3]
UPSC relevance: GS-II (welfare schemes for vulnerable sections, social security) and GS-III (employment, informal economy). [1]

PIB release (2 Feb 2026): over 31.48 crore unorganised workers registered as on 26 January 2026. [1]
e-Shram "One-Stop-Solution" launched on 21 October 2024, integrating multiple welfare schemes on a single portal, in line with Budget 2024-25 announcement. [1][4]
Mobile app launched 24 Feb 2025; multilingual (Bhashini) support added 7 Jan 2025. [5]

Mandated after the Supreme Court's 2018 order in suo motu writ (Problems & Miseries of Migrant Labourers) directing creation of a national database (impetus reinforced during COVID-19 migrant crisis). [2]
26 Aug 2021 — e-Shram portal launched by Ministry of Labour & Employment. [2]
21 Oct 2024 — One-Stop-Solution operationalised; scheme convergence. [1][4]
7 Jan 2025 — multilingual rollout via Bhashini. [5]
24 Feb 2025 — e-Shram mobile application launched. [5]
Predecessor framework: Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008. [2]

Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment (Union). [1]
Portal: eshram.gov.in; issues UAN (12-digit, permanent) on self-declaration. [1]
Eligibility: unorganised worker aged 16-59 years, not a member of EPFO/ESIC, not an income-tax payer. [2]
Registration: free; via CSCs, State Seva Kendras, self-registration. [2]
Cumulative registrations: 31.48 crore (as on 26 Jan 2026). [1]
Women share: 53.68% of registrations (as of March 2025 data). [6]
Schemes integrated (post One-Stop-Solution): includes PM-SVANidhi, PMSBY, PMJJBY, MGNREGA, PMAY-G/U, AB-PMJAY, NFBS, PMMSY, PM-KMY. [6][1]
Statutory anchor: Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008; aligned with Code on Social Security, 2020. [2]

Economic

Formalises ~93% of India's workforce in the unorganised sector; enables targeted DBT delivery. [2]
Facilitates portability of benefits for inter-state migrant workers. [2]

Social

Majority female registration (53.68%) — improves gender visibility in social security. [6]
Captures SC/ST/OBC, migrant, gig & platform workers in a single database. [2]

Administrative / Governance

One-Stop-Solution addresses inter-ministerial silos by mapping 13+ Central schemes onto one UAN. [6][1]
Bhashini multilingual interface widens accessibility across linguistic groups. [5]

Legal / Constitutional

Operationalises DPSP Articles 39, 41, 42, 43 (right to livelihood, social security). [2]
Implements the 2018 Supreme Court directive on migrant worker database. [2]

Technological

Aadhaar-seeded, interoperable with UMANG, PMJAY, e-Shram mobile app. [5]
Self-declaration model — bypasses documentary thresholds typical of welfare access. [2]

e-Shram portal launched on 26 August 2021. [2]
Implementing ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment (not Ministry of Rural Development). [1]
Provides a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN). [1]
Eligibility age band: 16-59 years; non-EPFO/ESIC; non-income-tax payer. [2]
Registration is on self-declaration basis (Aadhaar-seeded). [1]
"One-Stop-Solution" launched 21 October 2024, announced in Union Budget 2024-25. [1][4]
Over 31.48 crore workers registered as of 26 Jan 2026. [1]
Women constitute 53.68% of registrants. [6]
Statutory umbrella: Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008 & Code on Social Security, 2020. [2]
Multilingual rollout uses Bhashini (MeitY's AI translation platform). [5]
Mobile app launched 24 February 2025. [5]
Schemes integrated include PM-SVANidhi, PMJJBY, PMSBY, AB-PMJAY, MGNREGA, PMAY-G/U, NFBS, PMMSY, PM-KMY. [6]
Described by PIB as "World's Largest Database of Unorganised Workers". [3]

GS-II — Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; mechanisms, laws, institutions for the protection of the vulnerable.
GS-III — Inclusive growth, employment, issues of the informal economy.
Probable stems: 1. "The e-Shram portal is a necessary but insufficient step toward universalising social security for India's informal workforce." Discuss. 2. Examine how digital public infrastructure like e-Shram can bridge welfare delivery gaps for migrant and gig workers. 3. Assess the role of the One-Stop-Solution model in addressing fragmentation of welfare schemes for unorganised workers.

Code on Social Security, 2020 — statutory framework subsuming UWSSA 2008.
PM Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) — pension for unorganised workers, integrable with e-Shram.
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) — measurement of informal employment.
Gig & platform workers — new category under SS Code, 2020.
PM-SVANidhi, PMJJBY, PMSBY, AB-PMJAY — integrated welfare schemes.
Bhashini platform — AI-driven multilingual digital governance.
Aadhaar & DBT architecture — backbone of beneficiary identification.
Supreme Court order (2018, 2020) on migrant workers' database.

e-Shram is run by Ministry of Labour & Employment, NOT Rural Development or MeitY.
UAN under e-Shram is distinct from EPFO's UAN; EPFO members are ineligible.
Registration is self-declaration, not income/asset verified.
The One-Stop-Solution (21 Oct 2024) is a feature upgrade — not the original launch (which was 26 Aug 2021).
Statutory base is UWSS Act 2008 / SS Code 2020, not the Industrial Disputes Act or Factories Act.