e-Shram Card 2026 — Universal Worker Registration + ₹2 Lakh Cover

Direct answer. e-Shram is India's universal worker e-card for the unorganised sector — domestic workers, farm labour, gig workers, construction labour, hawkers, drivers, MSME workers. Register free at https://eshram.gov.in or any CSC. Get a 12-digit UAN (Universal Account Number), ₹2 lakh accident cover, and auto-eligibility for several scheme DBT credits. 30+ crore registered as of 2026 — but most still don't claim downstream benefits.

• Free registration at eshram.gov.in or any CSC.
• Eligible: anyone aged 16–59 in unorganised work (no PF/ESI).
• Aadhaar mobile-linked + bank account required.
• 5-minute online registration, instant card download.
• Helpline: 14434 (toll-free).
• Stuck? 🪄 RTI in 60 sec.

e-Shram launched 26 August 2021 by Ministry of Labour & Employment under the Code on Social Security 2020. Goal: comprehensive worker database to deliver social security + scheme benefits + crisis response.

• PMSBY ₹2 lakh accident cover — automatic upon registration (₹0 cost to worker).
• Universal Account Number (UAN) — works as worker's identity for any scheme.
• Disaster compensation — during natural calamities (cyclone, flood) e-Shram registered workers receive automatic DBT.
• Migrant worker tracking — when you move state, your UAN moves with you.
• Auto-eligibility flag for: PMSYM (pension), Ayushman Bharat (if SECC-listed), state-specific welfare boards.
• Future-ready — Code on Social Security mandates platform companies (Swiggy, Uber, Ola) to contribute social security based on your UAN.

• Age 16–59.
• Indian resident.
• Unorganised worker (key criterion):
  • Self-employed (street vendor, hawker, domestic worker, farm labour)
  • Wage worker without PF/ESI
  • Migrant worker
  • Construction worker
  • Gig / platform worker (Swiggy, Uber, Amazon delivery, etc.)
  • Plantation worker
  • MSME workers without PF/ESI

• EPFO members (formal sector with PF)
• ESIC members (formal sector with ESI)
• Central / state government employees
• Self-employed earning > ₹15,000/month and paying PF voluntarily

1. Aadhaar card (mobile-linked, mandatory)
2. Mobile number for OTP
3. Bank account (Aadhaar-seeded, your name)
4. Self-declaration of occupation (one of 30+ categories)

That's it — no income proof, no caste, no photo upload (Aadhaar photo used).

1. Visit https://eshram.gov.in.
2. Click “Register on e-Shram”.
3. Enter Aadhaar number + mobile linked → OTP.
4. Confirm Aadhaar details (auto-populated).
5. Bank account: A/C number + IFSC.
6. Personal info: education, skill, monthly income (estimate).
7. Occupation: pick from 30+ categories (domestic worker, agricultural labour, construction worker, driver, etc.).
8. Optional: NCO code for nuance (use search box).
9. Submit → e-Shram card generated instantly with your UAN.
10. Download PDF.

1. Visit any Common Service Centre (CSC) — fee ₹20–30.
2. Operator does eKYC + form fill.
3. Card printed + delivered same day.

1. e-Shram card (downloadable PDF + physical printable).
2. PMSBY ₹2 lakh accident cover auto-active for first year. Renewable annually at ₹20.
3. UAN valid for life — write it down + save.
4. Linked to all future DBT schemes that auto-credit unorganised workers (e.g., COVID-style direct transfers).

• Aadhaar mobile not linked — registration blocked. Fix at UIDAI Seva Kendra first.
• Already EPFO member — system rejects. e-Shram is only for unorganised. If you have PF, you can't have e-Shram.
• Two registrations — system de-dupes via Aadhaar; second blocked.
• Income > ₹15,000/month with PF/ESI eligibility — choose formal sector route, not e-Shram.
• Forgetting UAN — write it on bank passbook OR DigiLocker for safe storage.

• Gig worker boards — Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu have launched gig-worker boards using e-Shram database.
• Code on Social Security 2020 implementation — platform companies (Swiggy, Uber, etc.) must now contribute social security based on UAN.
• DigiLocker integration — e-Shram card auto-pulled into DigiLocker.
• Direct DBT during emergencies — Q1 2025 cyclone in Odisha triggered automatic e-Shram-based DBT for affected workers.

Yes — gig/platform workers are explicitly covered. Pick “Platform & Gig Worker” category.

No — if any active EPFO/ESI membership exists, e-Shram blocks. Either close the EPFO membership (post-job-exit) or skip e-Shram.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana — ₹2 lakh accident cover for ₹20/year. Free for first year when you register on e-Shram. Auto-renewal at branch.

Visit eshram.gov.in → Already Registered → Update / Download → enter UAN + Aadhaar OTP → re-download PDF. Free.

Common reasons: (a) you joined EPFO formal employment (system auto-deactivates), (b) Aadhaar discrepancy detected, © annual self-update missed (re-confirmation due Q1 of every FY).

Yes for some welfare schemes that recognise UAN. Not for banking KYC, govt office attestation, etc. — Aadhaar is still the primary ID.

No — minimum age 16. If you're 17, register now. If under 16, wait.

Government uses e-Shram database + Aadhaar-bank linkage for direct, fast DBT during cyclone/flood/heat-wave responses. No application needed — auto-credit if you're in the affected area.

• PMSYM — ₹3,000/month pension after 60 (₹55–200/month contribution)
• PMJJBY — ₹2 lakh life cover ₹436/year
• Atal Pension Yojana — ₹1k–5k/month after 60
• Jan Dhan — bank account first
• Ayushman Bharat — if SECC-listed
• MGNREGA — for rural workers
• 💼 All employment schemes

• e-Shram official
• Ministry of Labour & Employment
• Code on Social Security 2020
• Helpline: 14434

Last reviewed: 3 May 2026.

• Infographic concept: Registration flow: Aadhaar OTP → Self-declare occupation → 12-digit UAN issued → ₹2 lakh PMSBY accident cover automatic + DBT-ready for emergencies.

1. Minimal worker icon (helmet + tools) with 'UAN 12 digits' badge.
2. Shield with '₹2 LAKH' label (PMSBY cover).
3. Smartphone with eshram.gov.in URL on screen.

Realistic photo of a domestic worker / construction labourer holding her e-Shram card, smiling, simple urban or rural backdrop.

e-SHRAM card — complete guide on registration, benefits, and problem resolution for 2026:

1. Step 1: What is e-SHRAM? (a) e-SHRAM is the National Database of Unorganised Workers (launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment — in August 2021 — for unorganised sector workers in India), (b) the target: register 38 crore unorganised workers (including construction workers, gig workers, street vendors, domestic workers, agricultural labourers, rickshaw pullers, beedi workers — anyone who is not covered under EPF/ESIC/NPS), © the card is free (no fee for registration — the worker can self-register on the e-SHRAM portal — or through Common Service Centres — CSCs), (d) the card provides: (i) a universal account number (UAN), (ii) accident insurance (Rs 2 lakh for accidental death — and Rs 1 lakh for partial disability), (iii) access to welfare schemes (PM-SYM, PMJJBY, PMSBY — and state-specific schemes), (iv) a database for the government (to identify unorganised workers — and to deliver welfare benefits).
2. Step 2: How to register. (a) self-registration on the portal (eshram.gov.in — click “Register on e-SHRAM” — enter Aadhaar number — OTP verification — fill in personal details, occupation, income, qualifications — submit), (b) through CSC (visit a Common Service Centre — the CSC operator registers the worker — using Aadhaar and biometric), © through the mobile app (download the e-SHRAM app — from Google Play — register using Aadhaar), (d) documents required: (i) Aadhaar card (linked with mobile number — for OTP), (ii) bank account details (account number, IFSC — for insurance and welfare benefits), (iii) occupation details (the type of work — construction, domestic, gig — and the income), (e) after registration: the worker gets a UAN (and a digital e-SHRAM card — which can be downloaded from the portal).
3. Step 3: Benefits. (a) accident insurance: Rs 2 lakh for accidental death (and Rs 1 lakh for partial disability — the insurance is through the New India Assurance Company — and is free — no premium), (b) PM-SYM (Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan): pension scheme for unorganised workers (age 18-40 — monthly contribution Rs 55-200 — matching government contribution — pension of Rs 3,000 per month after age 60), © PMJJBY (Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana): life insurance Rs 2 lakh (annual premium Rs 436 — auto-deducted from the bank account), (d) PMSBY (Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana): accident insurance Rs 2 lakh (annual premium Rs 20 — auto-deducted), (e) state schemes: many states use the e-SHRAM database for their own welfare schemes (e.g., construction worker welfare board — maternity benefits — education assistance for children).
4. Step 4: Common problems. (a) registration failed (the Aadhaar OTP is not received — or the Aadhaar details do not match — or the bank account is not linked with Aadhaar), (b) UAN not generated (the registration is submitted — but the UAN is not generated — the portal shows “under process” — for weeks), © card not downloaded (the UAN is generated — but the card cannot be downloaded — the portal shows an error), (d) wrong details on the card (the name, date of birth, or occupation is wrong — due to a data entry error — at the CSC), (e) insurance not activated (the worker is registered — but the accident insurance is not activated — because the bank account is not linked — or the details are mismatched), (f) not receiving scheme benefits (the worker is registered — but is not getting PM-SYM or other benefits — because the eligibility criteria are not met — or the state has not integrated with e-SHRAM).
5. Step 5: Status check. (a) e-SHRAM portal (eshram.gov.in — click “Check Status” — enter UAN and mobile number — or Aadhaar number — to check the registration status), (b) e-SHRAM helpline 14434 (call the helpline — for status check, complaints, and queries — toll-free), © CSC (visit the CSC where the registration was done — and ask for the status), (d) if the status is not available online: file RTI with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (asking for the status — and the reason for delay).
6. Step 6: File RTI. File RTI with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (or the state labour department) asking for: (a) the status of e-SHRAM registration for UAN [number] (or Aadhaar [number] — whether the registration is complete — and the card issued), (b) the reason for delay (if the UAN is not generated — or the card is not issued — the specific reason — and the expected date), © whether the accident insurance is activated (for UAN [number] — the insurance policy number — and the coverage — and the date of activation), (d) the number of e-SHRAM registrations in [state/district] (from [date] to [date] — and the number of UANs generated — and the number of cards issued), (e) the number of accident insurance claims (filed and settled — under e-SHRAM — from [date] to [date] — and the amount paid — and the pending claims), (f) the integration with state schemes (whether [state] has integrated with e-SHRAM — and the welfare schemes linked — and the number of beneficiaries).
7. Step 7: Update and correction. (a) to update details (name, occupation, income, bank account): login to the e-SHRAM portal — with UAN and OTP — and update the details online, (b) to correct Aadhaar mismatch: visit the CSC (with the correct Aadhaar — and the CSC operator updates the details — using biometric), © to link a new bank account: update on the portal — or visit the CSC — the bank account must be linked with Aadhaar (for PMJJBY/PMSBY auto-debit), (d) to download the card: login to the portal — click “Download Card” — the card is in PDF format — with a QR code (which can be scanned for verification), (e) if the portal is not working: file a grievance on the portal (or call 14434 — or file RTI — or approach the state labour department).

See e-SHRAM Card and Find PIO.