E-Shram Portal (e-Shram)

Overview

The e-Shram portal is India’s first-ever comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), launched on 26 August 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It is the world’s largest database of unorganised workers, with over 30.95 crore registrations as of July 2025. The portal assigns a unique 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN) linked to Aadhaar to every registered worker, enabling seamless access to social security benefits and government welfare schemes.

The platform has evolved from a registration-only portal to a “One-Stop Solution” (OSS) for unorganised workers, integrating 13 Central welfare schemes and providing job matching, skilling, and pension enrolment services.

Key Objectives

1. Centralised database of all unorganised workers in the country, including gig workers and platform workers (added in Budget 2025-26).
2. Enhanced access to social security through direct integration with welfare schemes.
3. Job matching and skill development via linkage with National Career Service (NCS) and Skill India Digital Portal.
4. Financial inclusion through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and digital payments linked to bank accounts.

Key Features

Universal Account Number (UAN)

Every registered worker receives a unique 12-digit UAN linked to their Aadhaar number. This serves as a portable identity across states and employers, enabling seamless benefit access regardless of location — particularly important for migrant workers.

Registration Process

• Self-registration available via portal or mobile app with minimal documentation.
• CSC registration through Common Service Centres across India.
• Eligibility: Age 16-59 years; unorganised sector worker (including gig and platform workers); Aadhaar and mobile number linked to Aadhaar; active bank account; must not be a member of EPFO or ESIC.

One-Stop Solution (OSS) — Launched October 2024

The “One-Stop Solution” integrates 13 Central welfare schemes from multiple ministries, allowing registered workers to check eligibility and apply for benefits directly through the portal:

1. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
2. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
3. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) — pension scheme
4. Ayushman Bharat — Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
5. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana — Gramin (PMAY-G)
6. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana — Urban (PMAY-U)
7. PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi)
8. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
9. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
10. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
11. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
12. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
13. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Mobile Application — Launched February 2025

The e-Shram mobile app provides:

• Real-time access to integrated welfare schemes
• Intelligent scheme-eligibility filtering based on user profile
• Job listings tailored to worker’s profession and location
• Benefit tracking and notifications
• Multi-language support (English, Hindi, Marathi, Kannada)
• Voice bot for FAQs and job search guidance

Data Sharing and Integration

• BOCW Data Sharing: Construction workers’ data shared with Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Boards for targeted benefits.
• Data Sharing Portal (DSP): Secure sharing of anonymised data with State/UT governments for policy planning.
• Migrant Worker Family Details: Captured for child education and women-centric scheme targeting.
• NCS and Skill India Integration: Employment and skilling opportunities linked to worker profiles.

Demographics and Statistics

Latest Developments

• February 2025: Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the e-Shram mobile application with real-time scheme access, job matching, multi-language support, and voice bot features.
• Union Budget 2025-26: Platform workers (delivery, ride-hailing, etc.) allowed to register on e-Shram portal for the first time, expanding its scope beyond traditional unorganised workers.
• October 2024: “One-Stop Solution” (OSS) launched, integrating 13 Central welfare schemes from multiple ministries into the e-Shram portal.
• July 2025: Total registrations crossed 30.95 crore, with 1.23 crore new registrations recorded in calendar year 2024.
• Ongoing: Integration with Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) pension scheme for direct enrolment of eligible workers.

Prelims Importance

• e-Shram launched: 26 August 2021
• Full form of NDUW: National Database of Unorganised Workers
• Total registrations: 30.95 crore+ (July 2025) — world’s largest unorganised worker database
• UAN: 12-digit Universal Account Number linked to Aadhaar
• Women registration: 53.68% of total
• Largest sector: Agriculture (16 crore workers)
• Top state: Uttar Pradesh (~8.3 crore)
• Eligibility: Age 16-59, unorganised/gig/platform worker, not EPFO/ESIC member
• One-Stop Solution: Integrates 13 Central welfare schemes (launched October 2024)
• Mobile app: Launched February 2025
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Labour and Employment
• Platform workers included: Budget 2025-26

Mains & Interview Importance

GS2 — Governance, Social Justice, Welfare Schemes:

• Evaluate the e-Shram portal as a tool for extending social security to India’s unorganised workforce. What are its achievements and limitations?
• Discuss the significance of the “One-Stop Solution” approach in reducing welfare scheme fragmentation and improving last-mile delivery.
• How does the inclusion of gig and platform workers in e-Shram reflect the evolving nature of India’s labour market?

GS3 — Economy, Employment:

• India’s unorganised sector employs ~93% of the workforce but has minimal social security coverage. Analyse the role of digital platforms like e-Shram in bridging this gap.
• Discuss the implications of e-Shram data for evidence-based labour policy formulation.

Interview angle: “Over 30 crore workers are registered on e-Shram, but how many have actually received benefits through the portal? Is registration alone enough, or does the real challenge lie in last-mile benefit delivery? What reforms would you suggest to make e-Shram more effective?”