e-Shram Card and UAN: Registration, Eligibility and Benefits
Independent guide. We are not part of the Ministry of Labour & Employment or the Government, and we never ask for your Aadhaar, UAN, bank details or OTP.
e-Shram is the Government of India's National Database of Unorganised Workers. Run by the Labour Ministry since 26 Aug 2021, it gives every registered worker a permanent 12-digit UAN and an e-Shram card. Registration is free and needs only your Aadhaar and mobile number. Through the portal you can find and apply for linked welfare, insurance, pension and job schemes.
- Run by
- Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Launched
- 26 Aug 2021
- Who can join
- Unorganised workers aged 16+, not in EPFO or ESIC, not income-tax payers
- You get
- 12-digit UAN and e-Shram card (never expires)
- Need
- Aadhaar number and mobile (Aadhaar-linked preferred)
- Cost
- Free
- Helpdesk
- 14434 / 1800-889-6811
- Registered
- 31.89 crore workers (Aug 2026)
Not the same as your EPFO UAN. Both are 12-digit "Universal Account Numbers", but they are different numbers from different systems. If you are an EPFO member, you can't register on e-Shram. For the Provident Fund number, see our EPFO UAN guide.
What is e-Shram?
e-Shram (eshram.gov.in) is the first Aadhaar-seeded national database of unorganised workers. It was built by the NIC for the Ministry of Labour & Employment. It records your name, occupation, address, education, skills and family details so that Central and State Governments can deliver social security and welfare schemes to you, including to migrant and construction workers where they work.
Since 21 Oct 2024 it is also a One-Stop-Solution: after logging in with your UAN, you can see the integrated schemes you are enrolled in, find ones you may be eligible for, apply, and track benefits already received.
Who can register
- Age 16 years or above. There is no income limit and no educational qualification.
- Engaged in unorganised work: a home-based worker, self-employed worker or wage worker in the unorganised sector. A worker in the organised sector also counts if not a member of ESIC or EPFO and not a government employee.
- Not an income-tax payer and not an EPFO or ESIC member.
Examples: agricultural labourers and landless farmers, construction workers, domestic workers, street vendors, migrant workers, tailors, e-rickshaw drivers, and gig and platform workers. You don't need proof of date of birth or income.
The e-Shram UAN and card
Your UAN is a permanent 12-digit number, unique to you; it never changes. It appears on your e-Shram card, which you download after registering (a CSC prints it for you if you register there). The card never expires and never needs renewal, but keep your details up to date. Your photo comes from Aadhaar.
| e-Shram UAN | EPFO UAN | |
|---|---|---|
| For | Unorganised workers | Provident Fund members |
| Issued by | Ministry of Labour & Employment (e-Shram) | EPFO |
| Length | 12 digits | 12 digits |
| Can you hold both? | No: EPFO members are not eligible for e-Shram | |
Benefits: linked schemes
e-Shram itself doesn't pay money. It is a platform that connects you to schemes run by different ministries; each scheme keeps its own rules. The Ministry says it is not a gatekeeper: if you are eligible, you can get these schemes even without e-Shram registration. Schemes on the One-Stop-Solution include:
| Need | Scheme (examples) |
|---|---|
| Accident insurance | PMSBY: ₹2 lakh for accidental death or full disability, ₹1 lakh for partial disability; ₹20 a year premium, age 18–70 |
| Life insurance | PMJJBY: ₹2 lakh on death from any cause |
| Pension | PM-SYM: ₹3,000 a month from age 60 (join at 18–40; the Government matches your contribution), widow and disability pensions under NSAP |
| Health | AB-PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat) |
| Food, housing, work | ONORC ration portability, PMAY (Gramin and Urban), MGNREGA, PM SVANidhi for street vendors |
| Jobs and skills | NCS job portal, Skill India Digital Hub, myScheme |
At launch in Aug 2021, the Government sanctioned ₹2 lakh accident cover for registered workers. Today the portal lets you enrol in PMSBY, which needs the yearly premium auto-debited from your bank account. The e-Shram homepage also lists an ex-gratia claim facility for accidental death and disability for eligible claimants; read its guidelines there or ask on 14434.
How to register on e-Shram
Keep your Aadhaar number and the mobile linked to it handy. Register yourself at register.eshram.gov.in (also on UMANG), or visit a CSC or State Seva Kendra, where you can register with your fingerprint if your mobile isn't linked to Aadhaar. You don't submit any documents.
- Open eshram.gov.in → "Register on eShram".
- Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile and confirm you are not an EPFO or ESIC member.
- Verify the mobile OTP, then complete Aadhaar e-KYC with the Aadhaar OTP.
- Fill in occupation, skills, education and bank details (account number and IFSC).
- Submit and download your e-Shram card with your UAN.
Prefer help? Find the nearest centre at findmycsc.nic.in. Registration at a CSC is also free: don't pay anyone.
Updating your details
- Log in under "Already registered" with your UAN and the OTP sent to your registered mobile. From the dashboard you can update your profile, download the UAN card and see your schemes.
- What you can change: mobile number, current address, occupation, education, skills and bank account. The portal asks registrants to keep their profile and occupation updated for continued benefits.
- New mobile number: use "Update profile using Aadhaar" under "Already registered", or visit a CSC.
- Name or photo wrong: these come from Aadhaar. Correct Aadhaar first, then redo Aadhaar e-KYC on e-Shram so the change shows.
Unorganised worker vs gig or platform worker
Choose the occupation you mainly earn from. Construction workers' data can be shared with States to help registration with Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Boards, and migrant workers can add family details.
If you later join a job with EPFO or ESIC cover, you are entitled to the benefits for organised-sector workers only.
A gig worker earns outside a traditional employer-employee relationship. A platform worker does such work through an online platform, such as ride-hailing or delivery apps. About 11.5 lakh platform workers had registered on e-Shram by Aug 2026.
- How to register: use the "Platform Worker" option on the e-Shram homepage. In Mar 2025 the Ministry asked platform workers to self-register so they can be considered for benefits, and asked aggregators (the apps) to help them.
- Budget 2025–26 announced registration on e-Shram, identity cards, and health cover under AB-PMJAY (₹5 lakh per family per year) for online platform workers.
- Code on Social Security, 2020 (in force from 21 Nov 2025) recognises gig and platform workers for the first time. Aggregators must pay 1–2% of annual turnover, capped at 5% of what they pay these workers, into a Social Security Fund for schemes such as accident insurance, health and maternity benefits.
- Portable: your Aadhaar-linked e-Shram registration stays with you when you switch apps or work on several.
Which benefits you actually get depends on the schemes the Government notifies. Check the e-Shram portal or call 14434 for what applies to you now.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Mobile not linked to Aadhaar | Register at a CSC or State Seva Kendra with your fingerprint. To link a mobile to Aadhaar, visit an Aadhaar enrolment or update centre; this can't be done online. See our Aadhaar guide. |
| "Already a member of EPFO/ESIC" | You are not eligible for e-Shram. Use your EPFO UAN instead. |
| Lost UAN card | Log in with your UAN and mobile OTP, then download it again. |
| Changed mobile number | "Update profile using Aadhaar" under "Already registered", or a CSC. |
| Wrong name or photo | Correct it in Aadhaar, then redo Aadhaar e-KYC on e-Shram. |
| Portal not working | Refresh, clear cache or try another browser; then call 14434. |
| Helpline busy or issue unresolved | File a grievance at gms.eshram.gov.in. |
Helpline and complaints
- National helpdesk: 14434 or 1800-889-6811, 9 am to 6 pm daily, including Sundays (as shown on eshram.gov.in on 31 Oct 2026).
- Grievances: gms.eshram.gov.in. The helpdesk and grievance system are run by the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
- Other queries: [email protected].
Safety: registration is always free
e-Shram registration is free, the card never expires, and there is no renewal fee. Anyone asking you to pay for registration, a "new" card, renewal or to "release" money on your card is not following official rules. Never share your Aadhaar OTP or e-Shram login OTP.
- Use only eshram.gov.in, register.eshram.gov.in, UMANG, or a real CSC (check at findmycsc.nic.in).
- e-Shram doesn't pay cash by itself. Benefits come only through the schemes you are enrolled in.
- Doubt a message about a government scheme? Report it to PIB Fact Check on WhatsApp +91 8799711259.
- Lost money to a fraud? Call 1930 or report on cybercrime.gov.in at once.
History of e-Shram
e-Shram portal launched; ₹2 lakh accident cover sanctioned for registered workers.
e-Shram One-Stop-Solution launched to integrate welfare schemes.
Portal available in all 22 Scheduled Languages through Bhashini.
Ministry urges platform workers to register, following the Budget 2025–26 announcement.
Code on Social Security, 2020 made effective, recognising gig and platform workers.
Five years of e-Shram, with 31.89 crore registrations.
FAQs
What is e-Shram?
The Ministry of Labour & Employment's National Database of Unorganised Workers. Registered workers get a 12-digit UAN and an e-Shram card used to access linked schemes.
Who can register on e-Shram?
Anyone aged 16 or above doing unorganised work who is not an EPFO or ESIC member and doesn't pay income tax. There is no income limit.
Is the e-Shram UAN the same as my EPFO UAN?
No. They are separate 12-digit numbers, and EPFO members can't register on e-Shram.
Is there any fee for e-Shram registration?
No. It is free online and at CSCs. Don't pay anyone.
Does the e-Shram card expire?
No. It never expires and needs no renewal, but you should keep your details updated.
Will I get money in my account for having an e-Shram card?
e-Shram itself is a database and platform. Money or cover comes only from the schemes you enrol in and qualify for, such as PMSBY or PM-SYM.
My mobile isn't linked to Aadhaar. Can I still register?
Yes. Visit a CSC or State Seva Kendra and register with biometric authentication.
Can gig and delivery workers register?
Yes. Use the "Platform Worker" option on eshram.gov.in. The Code on Social Security, 2020 links their social security to this Aadhaar-linked registration.
What is the e-Shram helpline number?
14434 (also 1800-889-6811). For complaints, use gms.eshram.gov.in.
Official sources
- e-Shram – FAQs (eligibility, UAN, card validity, updates, helpdesk) (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- e-Shram – Home page (helpdesk hours, Platform Worker registration, ex-gratia notice) (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- e-Shram – Social security and welfare schemes (PMSBY terms) (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- Ministry of Labour & Employment – e-Shram leaflet (registration, charges, contacts) (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – 5 Years of e-Shram Portal, 25 Aug 2026 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – e-Shram portal launched, 26 Aug 2021 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – e-Shram features and One-Stop-Solution, 3 Feb 2025 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – e-Shram in 22 Scheduled Languages, 7 Jan 2025 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – Platform workers urged to register on e-Shram, 8 Mar 2025 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – Effectiveness and utilisation of the e-Shram portal, 7 Aug 2025 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – Four Labour Codes made effective from 21 Nov 2025 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – Labour reforms for gig and platform workers, 9 Dec 2025 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- UIDAI – Aadhaar enrolment and update (mobile update at a centre) (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – Fact Check Unit FAQs (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- Ministry of Home Affairs – National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
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