e-Shram completes five years with 31.89 crore registrations and expanded social security services
The e-Shram portal has evolved from a national database of unorganised workers into a one-stop digital platform connecting millions with welfare, jobs, skilling, apprenticeship and pension services.
Launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on August 26, 2021, e-Shram created India's first Aadhaar-authenticated National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), providing registered workers with a unique 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN).
NEW DELHI: The e-Shram portal, India’s national digital platform for unorganised workers, completes five years on August 26, 2026, with 31.89 crore registrations and an expanding range of social security, employment and skilling services.
Launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on August 26, 2021, e-Shram created India’s first Aadhaar-authenticated National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), providing registered workers with a unique 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN).
The portal was initially conceived as a national database to improve delivery of social security benefits and enable convergence among welfare schemes. It has since evolved into a one-stop digital service platform covering welfare, employment, skilling and pension services.
The e-Shram One-Stop Solution, launched on October 21, 2024, brings together 15 social security and welfare schemes on a single platform. Registered workers can access eligible schemes and view benefits already received, while the platform facilitates convergence across government portals.
The integrated services include the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, National Social Assistance Programme, One Nation One Ration Card and Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin.
Workers can also enrol in PMSBY and PMJJBY through e-Shram. PMSBY provides accidental insurance benefits of ₹2 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability and ₹1 lakh for partial disability, while PMJJBY provides life insurance cover of ₹2 lakh in case of death due to any cause.
The portal also connects workers with the National Career Service for employment opportunities and the Skill India Digital Hub for skilling and apprenticeship. Through myScheme, workers can identify government schemes for which they may be eligible. Eligible workers can also enrol in PM-SYM, which provides a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 per month from the age of 60, subject to eligibility.
Multilingual access has also been expanded. The portal introduced functionality in 22 languages through the Bhashini platform in 2025.
The platform has expanded its coverage to include migrant, construction, gig and platform workers. It captures family details of migrant workers and enables sharing of construction-worker data with States and Union Territories to facilitate registration with Building and Other Construction Workers boards.
Around 11.5 lakh gig and platform workers have registered on e-Shram, creating a national database that can support the formulation and implementation of social security and welfare measures for this emerging category of workers.
As of August 18, 2026, the portal had recorded 31.89 crore registrations. Women accounted for 54.28% of registered workers, compared with 45.72% for men. Workers aged 18–40 years represented the largest age group at 55.21%, followed by those aged 40–50 at 24.18% and workers above 50 at 20.53%.
Agriculture, domestic and household work, construction and apparel are among the occupational categories with the highest registrations. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have recorded the highest registrations among States. Most registrations have been completed through Common Service Centres, followed by self-registration.
Registration is available to workers aged 16 years and above who are engaged in the unorganised sector, subject to eligibility conditions. Workers who are income-tax payers or members of EPFO or ESIC are not eligible. Registration is free and can be completed through the e-Shram portal, Common Service Centres, State Seva Kendras or through government field officers.
The e-Shram platform has also created a mechanism for secure data sharing with government agencies through APIs, supporting welfare delivery and evidence-based policymaking. Its national database can assist government planning and response during emergencies and crises.
After five years, the portal has moved beyond its original role as a worker registry to become a broader digital infrastructure for labour welfare. Its expansion reflects the government’s effort to use technology to improve portability, convergence and access to social security for India’s large and diverse unorganised workforce.
