e-Shram Card Registration: Digital identity card for India's 30+ crore unorganized workers — free ₹2 lakh accident insurance and gateway to all government welfare schemes.Registrations: 30+ Crore. Insurance: ₹2 Lakh free. Cost: ₹0 (Free). Portal: eshram.gov.in.e-Shram is a national portal launched on 26 August 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to create a comprehensive database of unorganized sector workers in India. An 'e-Shram card' is a digital identity card issued to registered workers, containing a unique 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN) that works as a portable social security ID across India.
Active SchemeUpdated: March 2026
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e-Shram Card Registration
Digital identity card for India's 30+ crore unorganized workers — free ₹2 lakh accident insurance and gateway to all government welfare schemes
Registrations
30+ Crore
Insurance
₹2 Lakh free
Cost
₹0 (Free)
Portal
eshram.gov.in
📖What is e-Shram Card Registration?
e-Shram is a national portal launched on 26 August 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to create a comprehensive database of unorganized sector workers in India. An 'e-Shram card' is a digital identity card issued to registered workers, containing a unique 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN) that works as a portable social security ID across India.
India has an estimated 38 crore unorganized sector workers — including construction workers, street vendors, domestic workers, agricultural laborers, gig workers (Zomato/Swiggy/Ola/Uber drivers), rickshaw pullers, fishermen, mid-day meal workers, ASHA workers, and anyone who doesn't have a formal employer-provided social security (EPF/ESIC). e-Shram is designed to bring all these workers into a formal identity system so they can access government welfare schemes.
Every registered e-Shram worker automatically gets ₹2 lakh accidental death and disability insurance under PM Suraksha Bima Yojana — completely free. The government pays the ₹20 annual premium on behalf of e-Shram workers. Beyond insurance, e-Shram registration helps workers access PM Kisan, PM Awas, Ayushman Bharat, NREGA, skill development programs, and state-specific schemes for unorganized workers.
As of 2026, over 30 crore workers have registered on the e-Shram portal, making it the world's largest database of unorganized workers. Registration is completely free and can be done online (self-registration), at CSC centers, or through state labour department offices.
✅Eligibility
Who can registerAny unorganized worker aged 16-59 who is NOT a member of EPFO or ESIC (formal sector social security)
Unorganized worker definitionHome-based workers, self-employed, wage workers in unorganized sector — construction, agriculture, domestic work, street vending, gig work, fishing, beedi rolling, etc.
Age16 to 59 years
Income limitMonthly income should not exceed ₹15,000
NOT eligibleWorkers already registered with EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organization) or ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation)
Documents neededAadhaar card (mandatory), mobile number linked to Aadhaar, bank account details, and IFSC code
🎁Benefits of e-Shram Card
1. Free ₹2 lakh accident insurance: Every registered e-Shram worker gets PM Suraksha Bima Yojana cover free — the government pays the ₹20 premium. ₹2 lakh for accidental death, ₹2 lakh for permanent total disability, ₹1 lakh for partial disability.
2. Access to government schemes: e-Shram registration acts as a gateway to: PM Shram Yogi Maandhan (pension), Ayushman Bharat (health insurance), PM Awas Yojana (housing), Ration Card benefits, PM Garib Kalyan Yojana (free food grains), skill development under PMKVY, and various state-level welfare schemes for unorganized workers.
3. Portable social security: The 12-digit UAN is valid across India. If a worker migrates from UP to Maharashtra, their e-Shram registration and benefits travel with them. No need to re-register in the new state.
4. Emergency relief: During natural disasters, pandemics (like COVID-19), or economic crises, the government uses the e-Shram database to identify and directly transfer emergency relief to unorganized workers. During COVID, registered workers received ₹1,000-3,000 direct transfers in several states.
5. Skill mapping: The registration collects data on the worker's skill type, which helps the government design targeted skill development programs and connect workers with relevant opportunities through the National Career Service portal.
6. Digital identity: For many unorganized workers who lack formal employment proof, the e-Shram card serves as a recognized identity document for accessing financial services, opening bank accounts, and applying for other government schemes.
📱How to Register Online — Step by Step
1
Visit eshram.gov.in
Open the e-Shram portal on your phone or computer. Click on 'Register on e-Shram'. You can also register through the 'e-Shram' mobile app available on Google Play Store.
2
Enter Aadhaar number and captcha
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and the image captcha. Click 'Send OTP'. An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
3
Verify OTP
Enter the OTP received on your mobile. If your mobile is not linked to Aadhaar, you'll need to visit a CSC center for biometric verification instead.
4
Fill registration details
Your basic details (name, DOB, gender, address) will be auto-filled from Aadhaar. Additionally fill: occupation type (select from the list — construction, agriculture, domestic work, etc.), monthly income, bank account number and IFSC code, nominee details for insurance.
5
Upload photo and submit
A photo from your Aadhaar will be used, or you can upload a new one. Review all details and submit. Your e-Shram UAN (Universal Account Number) is generated instantly.
6
Download your e-Shram card
After successful registration, download your e-Shram card as a PDF. It contains your 12-digit UAN, photo, name, occupation, and a QR code. Save it on your phone and also take a printout. The card is valid across India.
📋Who Qualifies as an 'Unorganized Worker'?
The following occupations qualify for e-Shram registration (this is a representative list, not exhaustive):
Construction & Building: Masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, laborers at construction sites, brick kiln workers, stone quarry workers.
Agriculture & Allied: Agricultural laborers, sharecroppers, fishermen, beekeepers, livestock workers, forest produce collectors (not land-owning farmers — they should register for PM Kisan instead).
Domestic & Services: Domestic helpers (maids, cooks, drivers), watchmen/security guards, gardeners, laundry workers (dhobis), barbers/salon workers.
Street Vendors & Self-Employed: Street food vendors, auto/rickshaw drivers, taxi drivers, newspaper vendors, cobblers, cycle repair mechanics, tailors, potters.
Gig & Platform Workers: Delivery partners (Zomato, Swiggy, Dunzo), ride-hailing drivers (Ola, Uber), freelance workers on digital platforms.
Others: Beedi rollers, migrant workers, ASHA workers, mid-day meal cooks, anganwadi helpers, rag pickers, sanitation workers, and any worker without formal employment contract or EPFO/ESIC coverage.
📝How to Apply
1
Self-registration at eshram.gov.in or e-Shram app
Requires Aadhaar card and mobile number linked to Aadhaar. Takes 10-15 minutes.
2
At CSC center (if mobile not linked to Aadhaar)
Visit any Common Service Centre. They do biometric verification. Fee: free to ₹20 maximum.
3
Through state labour department
Some states have set up special camps and desks for e-Shram registration. Check with your district labour office.
4
Download e-Shram card immediately after registration
Card is generated instantly. Download PDF, save on phone, and take printout for records.
⚠️e-Shram registration is completely FREE. If any CSC operator or agent charges more than ₹20 (printing cost), it is overcharging. Report at helpline 14434. Do NOT share your OTP with anyone claiming to 'help' with registration.
📅Important Dates & Schedule
RegistrationOpen throughout the year at eshram.gov.in
Insurance activationAutomatic upon registration — ₹2 lakh accident cover from day 1
Card validityPermanent — no renewal needed (update details if occupation/address changes)
Helpline14434 (toll-free, available in 11 languages)
❓Frequently Asked Questions
🔗Related Schemes
Pension
PM Shram Yogi Maandhan
InsurancePM Suraksha Bima Yojana
BankingPM Jan Dhan Yojana
HealthAyushman Bharat PMJAY
SkillPM Vishwakarma Yojana
WelfarePM Ujjwala Yojana (Free LPG)
Micro CreditPM SVANidhi (Street Vendor Loan)
e-Shram Portal
eshram.gov.in