Gig and platform worker social security rights in India 2026

If you ride for Swiggy or Zomato, drive for Uber or Ola, or take jobs through Urban Company, the law now counts you. The Code on Social Security, 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025 and is the first central law in India to give gig and platform workers a place in the social security system.

Quick answer: The Code on Social Security, 2020 (in force from 21 November 2025) is the first central law to define gig and platform workers. It lets the government build schemes for accident, health, maternity and old-age cover, funded partly by aggregators. To be eligible, register yourself free on the e-Shram portal at eshram.gov.in.

What this means for you

A gig worker earns outside a normal employer-employee job. A platform worker does that work through an app or website, like a delivery rider or a cab driver. Until now, no central law named you. The new Code gives you legal recognition and opens the door to government-backed social security schemes. The exact cash benefits are still being notified.

The spine of your rights is the Code on Social Security, 2020 (Act No. 36 of 2020), brought into force on 21 November 2025 along with the other three labour codes.

  • Section 2(35) defines a “gig worker” as a person who earns from a work arrangement outside a traditional employer-employee relationship.
  • Section 2(61) defines a “platform worker” as a person who does platform work, that is, work arranged through an online platform.
  • Section 114 is the key section. It lets the Central Government frame schemes for gig and platform workers covering life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old-age protection. It also sets up a Social Security Fund for these workers.

On funding, Section 114 says the aggregator contribution “shall be at such rate not exceeding two per cent., but not less than one per cent.” of the aggregator's annual turnover, and “shall not exceed five per cent. of the amount paid or payable by an aggregator to gig workers and platform workers.” The exact rate, and the day-count rules for who qualifies, are being set through Central Rules that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is still finalising.

The authority in charge is the Ministry of Labour and Employment, working through the e-Shram portal and the National Database of unorganised, gig and platform workers.

Want to read the parent law in plain English? See our guide to the new labour codes and keep The RTI Playbook handy.

Step by step: how to claim your place

  1. Open the e-Shram portal at https://eshram.gov.in on your phone or at a common service centre.
  2. Choose self-registration. Keep your Aadhaar-linked mobile number ready, because you log in with an OTP.
  3. Fill in your name, work type (for example, delivery rider or cab driver), and the apps you work through.
  4. Submit and download your e-Shram card with your Universal Account Number. This is your proof that you are in the national worker database.
  5. Watch for scheme rollouts. As the Budget 2025-26 announced, the government plans identity cards, e-Shram registration and health cover under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY for gig workers. Registering now is how you become eligible when a scheme goes live.
  6. If you also work for a registered aggregator like Zomato, Blinkit or Urban Company, the platform is expected to share your engagement details on the government portal once the final rules apply.

Documents you need

  • Aadhaar card with a working linked mobile number
  • A bank account in your name (account number and IFSC)
  • Basic work details, like the apps you work through and your kind of work
  • No fee. e-Shram registration is free. Never pay an agent who asks for money to register you.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Thinking you are already covered. The Code (Section 114) only *enables* schemes. Most cash benefits are still being notified. Register first so you do not miss out.
  • Skipping e-Shram because your platform registered. Self-registration puts you in the database under your own control. Do it even if your aggregator has signed up.
  • Paying a middleman. Registration is free on eshram.gov.in. Anyone charging a fee is cheating you.
  • Giving a wrong or unlinked mobile number. The OTP login fails without an Aadhaar-linked number, and your card may carry wrong details.
  • Confusing the central Code with state laws. Karnataka has its own gig workers welfare law. The Code on Social Security, 2020 is the central law and applies across India.

Real-life example: Ramesh Yadav, 29, is a food-delivery rider in Pune. In December 2025 he heard that the new labour code finally named riders like him. On 4 January 2026 he opened eshram.gov.in on his phone, logged in with the OTP sent to his Aadhaar-linked number, and registered as a platform worker in about ten minutes. He paid nothing and downloaded his e-Shram card with a Universal Account Number the same day. He has no cash benefit in hand yet, but he is now in the national database, so when the health and accident schemes go live he will be eligible without scrambling for paperwork.

Using RTI to track the rollout

Because many benefits are still being notified, you can use the Right to Information Act, 2005 to ask the government where things stand. File an RTI with the Ministry of Labour and Employment asking: has the aggregator contribution rate been notified, is the Social Security Fund operational, and which schemes for gig and platform workers are live. Our AI RTI Drafter writes the application for you, and the RTI Act guide explains your rights.

Frequently asked questions

Am I covered by the Code on Social Security if I work for Swiggy or Uber?

You are recognised by it. The Code, in force since 21 November 2025, defines gig and platform workers (Sections 2(35) and 2(61)) and lets the government build schemes for you. Specific benefits are still being notified, so register on e-Shram to be ready.

How do I register on e-Shram?

Go to https://eshram.gov.in, choose self-registration, and log in with the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Fill in your work details and download your e-Shram card. It is free.

Is the Rs 5 lakh Ayushman Bharat health cover available to me right now?

The Budget 2025-26 announced AB-PMJAY health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for gig workers, and the rollout is underway. Treat it as “register now to be eligible”, not as cover you already hold. Check status before you rely on it.

How much do aggregators have to pay?

Under Section 114, an aggregator must contribute between one and two per cent of its annual turnover, capped at five per cent of what it pays its gig and platform workers. The exact rate is being notified through Central Rules.

Do I have to pay anything to register?

No. e-Shram registration is completely free. If someone asks for money to register you, that is a scam. Use the official portal directly.

What is the difference between a gig worker and a platform worker?

A gig worker earns outside a regular employer-employee job. A platform worker does that work through an app or website. Every platform worker is a gig worker, but not every gig worker uses a platform.

Is this the same as the Karnataka gig workers law?

No. Karnataka has a separate state welfare law for platform-based gig workers. This article is about the central Code on Social Security, 2020, which applies across India.

What benefits will the Code eventually give?

Section 114 enables schemes for life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old-age protection. These are enabling provisions, framed and notified by the Central Government, so watch for official scheme announcements.

Sources

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