e-Shram card registration for gig workers (Zomato/Swiggy) health cover 2025

What is the e-Shram Card and Why Should Gig Workers Care?

The e-Shram card is a digital identity card for workers in the unorganised sector. If you deliver food for Zomato, ride for Ola, or do any kind of freelance or gig work, the government considers you an unorganised worker. That is not a bad thing. It simply means you do not have a traditional employer who provides you with health insurance, provident fund, or pension.

The e-Shram portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in August 2021. The goal was simple: create a national database of all unorganised workers so the government can send benefits directly to them. As of 2025, over 30 crore workers have registered.

For gig workers specifically, the e-Shram card is important because it is your gateway to free accident insurance worth Rs 2 lakh. If something happens to you while you are on the road making deliveries, this insurance can be a lifesaver for your family. And the best part? It costs you nothing. The government pays the premium.

Many delivery partners do not know about this. They think government schemes are only for farmers or factory workers. That is not true anymore. The government has explicitly included gig workers, platform workers, and freelancers in the e-Shram database. Whether you drive for Uber, deliver for Swiggy, or work as a freelance electrician, you qualify.

Benefits of e-Shram Registration for Delivery Partners

Here is what you get when you register for an e-Shram card:

• Rs 2 lakh accidental insurance (PMSBY): If you meet with an accident that results in death or permanent disability, your family receives Rs 2 lakh. For partial disability, the payout is Rs 1 lakh. The premium of Rs 12 per year is paid by the government.
• Access to Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): Many e-Shram registered workers are automatically eligible for the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, which covers Rs 5 lakh per year in hospital expenses.
• Ration card benefits: e-Shram registration can help you get a ration card under the National Food Security Act, giving you subsidised rice, wheat, and dal.
• Priority for PM-VBRY: If you transition from gig work to formal employment, your e-Shram registration gives you priority processing under the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana.
• Pension scheme access: Registered workers can join the Atal Pension Yojana and get a guaranteed monthly pension after age 60.
• Skill training: You become eligible for free skill development courses under PMKVY if you want to upgrade your skills.

Who Can Register for e-Shram?

The eligibility criteria are straightforward:

• Age: You must be between 16 and 59 years old.
• Income: Your monthly income should be Rs 15,000 or less. Most gig workers earning from delivery or driving fall within this limit.
• Not in organised sector: You should not be a member of EPFO or ESIC (government social security schemes for formal employees). If you are already getting EPF benefits from a company, you do not need e-Shram.
• Valid Aadhaar: You must have an Aadhaar card linked to your mobile number.
• Bank account: You need a savings bank account linked to your Aadhaar.

Types of Gig Workers Who Qualify

• Food delivery partners (Zomato, Swiggy, Dunzo, Blinkit)
• Cab and auto drivers (Ola, Uber, Rapido)
• Freelancers (graphic designers, content writers, web developers)
• Domestic workers (maids, cooks, nannies)
• Street vendors and hawkers
• Construction workers
• Daily wage labourers

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Registering for an e-Shram card is free and takes about 10 minutes. Here is how to do it:

1. Visit the official portal: Go to eshram.gov.in. Do not use any other website. There are many fake portals that charge money for registration.
2. Click on "Register on e-Shram": You will see a big blue button on the homepage. Click it to start.
3. Enter your Aadhaar number: Type your 12-digit Aadhaar number and complete the CAPTCHA verification.
4. OTP verification: An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Enter it within 10 minutes.
5. Fill in your details: Enter your personal information including name, date of birth, gender, occupation (select "Gig Worker" or "Platform Worker"), and bank account details.
6. Upload your photo: Take a selfie or upload a recent passport-sized photo. The file should be under 200 KB.
7. Submit and download: After submission, your e-Shram card (UAN card) will be generated immediately. Download the PDF and save it on your phone.

If you are not comfortable doing this online, visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC). The CSC operator will help you register for free. You can find your nearest CSC at locator.csccloud.in.

What Changed for Gig Workers in 2026?

Several important updates have been made specifically for gig and platform workers:

• Social Security Code implementation: The government has started implementing the Social Security Code 2020, which formally recognises gig workers and platform workers for the first time in Indian law.
• Platform contribution fund: Aggregator companies like Zomato, Swiggy, and Ola may soon be required to contribute 1-2% of their revenue to a social security fund for their workers.
• Integration with PMJAY: e-Shram registered gig workers in many states now get automatic Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY coverage without a separate application.
• Digital passbook: A new digital passbook feature has been added to the e-Shram portal, where you can track all the benefits you have received.

Note: If you are planning to move from gig work to a formal job, check out our guide on PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana where the government pays your EPF for 2 years.

Real Life Success Story: How this scheme helps

Complete 2026 Eligibility & Document Checklist

Before applying, you must ensure you have all mandatory documents ready to prevent application rejection. Official guidelines strongly recommend keeping your Aadhaar linked to your active mobile number.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts