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Verified against official .gov.in portals · Last checked June 2026 · How we verify
Last Updated: June 2026

eShram Card 2026: Free Registration for Unorganised Workers + ₹2 Lakh Insurance

eShram is India's national database of unorganised workers. Getting an eShram card is free, takes 5 minutes, and gives you access to social security benefits including ₹2 lakh accident insurance. It covers all informal sector workers — daily wage labourers, farmers, domestic workers, construction workers, street vendors, gig workers, and more.

Verified by NagrikIQ Research Team
Sources: Official .gov.in portals only · Updated June 2026
Official Sources
eshram.gov.in — Official Portal →

Over 90% of India's workforce is informal — no PF, no ESI, no safety net — yet most of these 53 crore workers have never heard of eShram, which takes 5 minutes to register and immediately unlocks ₹2 lakh accident insurance at zero cost. I've seen families of daily wage workers scramble after an accident with no coverage whatsoever, simply because no one told them this registration existed. If you work informally — or your parents, your cook, your building's security guard does — this is the one registration worth doing today.

— Sibin O, Founder, NagrikIQ · Last verified June 2026

Overview

eShram portal (eshram.gov.in) was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on 26 August 2021 to create India's first centralised database of unorganised workers. The goal is to provide social security benefits and scheme access to the ~53 crore informal sector workers in India who have historically been excluded from formal social security. What is an eShram card? - A 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN) card for unorganised workers - A digital identity for accessing government welfare schemes - A gateway for Direct Benefit Transfer of government benefits Benefits of eShram registration: 1. ₹2 lakh accident insurance under PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) — automatically enrolled for 1 year 2. Access to all unorganised worker welfare schemes — NDUW, building construction worker welfare, etc. 3. Identity for accessing PM Vishwakarma, PM SVANidhi, eShram-linked DBT schemes 4. Portable identity — valid pan-India regardless of migration Who should register: - Construction workers, brick kiln workers - Agricultural labourers, farmers - Domestic workers (maids, cooks, drivers) - Street vendors, hawkers - Rickshaw/auto/taxi drivers - Garment workers, textile workers - Fishermen, fish processing workers - Gig workers (food delivery, cab aggregator) - ASHA, anganwadi, and mid-day meal workers - Any worker in informal sector NOT covered by EPFO or ESIC 53+ crore workers have registered on eShram as of 2026. The UAN card makes workers eligible for state-specific building and construction worker welfare board benefits.

Eligibility

  • Any worker in the unorganised sector aged 16 to 59 years
  • Must NOT be a member of EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) or ESIC (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) — those are formal sector workers
  • Must NOT be an income taxpayer (filing ITR)
  • No minimum income requirement — any unorganised worker regardless of earnings
  • Covers agricultural labourers, construction workers, domestic workers, gig workers, street vendors, fishermen, garment workers
  • Self-employed artisans, tailors, cobblers, potters, and other informal sector self-employed are eligible
  • Migrant workers who move between states are eligible and encouraged to register for portable ID
  • Both rural and urban informal workers are covered

Documents Required

Aadhaar card (mandatory — and mobile must be linked to Aadhaar for OTP-based self-registration)
Mobile number linked to Aadhaar (for OTP verification at eshram.gov.in)
Bank account details (account number, IFSC — for future DBT benefits)
Basic personal information: occupation, name, address, date of birth (all available on Aadhaar)
For CSC registration: Aadhaar card and mobile number are sufficient — no other documents needed
IFSC code of your bank account (for linking bank account to eShram profile)

Fees & Processing Time

Fee
FREE — Completely free registration. No fee at eshram.gov.in. CSC operators may charge a nominal service fee (usually ₹20–50) — check if your state has exempted CSC charges for eShram.
Processing Time
Self-registration at eshram.gov.in: 5–10 minutes — UAN card generated immediately. CSC registration: same day. The UAN card (eShram card) is available as a digital download immediately after registration. Physical card delivered by post within 15–30 days (in some states).

How to Apply Online

  1. 1Visit eshram.gov.in on your mobile or computer
  2. 2Click 'Register on e-Shram' on the homepage
  3. 3Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number — OTP is sent
  4. 4Verify OTP to confirm mobile number
  5. 5Enter your Aadhaar number — your details (name, date of birth, address, photo) are auto-fetched from UIDAI
  6. 6Verify your personal details and correct if needed
  7. 7Select your occupation from the dropdown list (choose the closest match)
  8. 8Enter bank account details: account number and IFSC code
  9. 9Review and submit the registration
  10. 10Your UAN (Universal Account Number) is generated immediately
  11. 11Download your eShram card (PDF) from the portal — it shows your 12-digit UAN
  12. 12The PMSBY accident insurance (₹2 lakh) is automatically activated for 1 year

How to Apply Offline

  1. 1Visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) — find one at locator.csccloud.in
  2. 2Inform the CSC operator you want eShram registration
  3. 3Carry: Aadhaar card and your Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP
  4. 4CSC operator opens eshram.gov.in and enters your Aadhaar for auto-fetching of details
  5. 5Provide your occupation and bank account details to the operator
  6. 6UAN card is generated and printed/downloaded on the spot
  7. 7Some states offer eShram registration at Jan Seva Kendras, ration shops, or gram panchayat offices
  8. 8Alternatively, call CSC helpline 1800-121-3468 to locate your nearest CSC

Common Problems & Solutions

Aadhaar mobile OTP not received — cannot self-register
If your mobile is not linked to Aadhaar, OTP-based self-registration at eshram.gov.in will not work. Visit a CSC — they use biometric Aadhaar authentication (fingerprint/iris) which does not require mobile OTP. After registration, link your mobile to Aadhaar at an Aadhaar centre to enable future online access.
I am already in EPFO (PF deducted from salary) — can I register on eShram?
No. eShram is for workers NOT covered under EPFO or ESIC. If PF is deducted from your salary, you are a formal sector worker and are not eligible for eShram. If you were previously in EPFO but currently working informally with no PF deduction, you may be eligible — check eshram.gov.in for the current EPFO verification process.
eShram UAN card downloaded but ₹2 lakh PMSBY insurance not activated
PMSBY insurance is automatically activated for 1 year on eShram registration. Check the status at eshram.gov.in → 'Registered Workers' → your profile → 'Insurance Details'. If insurance is not showing, raise a grievance at eshram.gov.in → 'Grievance'. Ensure your bank account is linked to eShram profile for insurance claim processing.
I registered on eShram but want to update my occupation or bank account
Log in to eshram.gov.in with your Aadhaar and OTP. Go to 'Update Profile' to change occupation, address, or bank account. If you are unable to update online, visit a CSC for assisted update. Keep your eShram UAN unchanged — you can update other details without changing the UAN.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UAN in eShram card?

UAN stands for Universal Account Number — a 12-digit unique identification number assigned to each eShram registered worker. It serves as a portable digital identity regardless of which state you work in. The UAN is used to access government welfare schemes, file grievances, and receive DBT benefits. Keep your UAN safe — it is your eShram identifier for life.

Will I get cash benefits just by registering on eShram?

Registration on eShram gives you automatic PMSBY accident insurance (₹2 lakh). For cash benefits (like ₹1,000–2,000 monthly support), some state governments have distributed ex-gratia payments to eShram registered workers (as was done during COVID). Future government DBT schemes may use eShram as the delivery mechanism. Registration now prepares you to receive future benefits automatically.

Is eShram registration mandatory?

Not legally mandatory. However, it is strongly recommended for all informal workers. As the government progressively links welfare schemes to eShram UAN, not being registered could mean missing out on benefits. Workers in construction, mining, and hazardous industries should especially register as state welfare boards for these sectors increasingly require eShram registration.

Can a gig worker (food delivery, cab driver) register on eShram?

Yes. Gig economy workers (Swiggy/Zomato delivery partners, Ola/Uber drivers, freelancers) who are not in formal employment and not under EPFO are eligible for eShram. This provides them social security coverage. The Ministry of Labour has specifically included platform/gig workers in eShram's scope.

Can I use eShram for PM Vishwakarma registration?

PM Vishwakarma and eShram are separate registrations. However, eShram UAN is increasingly used to verify unorganised worker identity for schemes like PM Vishwakarma. If you are already on eShram, mention your UAN when registering for PM Vishwakarma at a CSC — it may simplify verification. Both registrations are independent and complementary.

Helpline & Support

  • eShram Helpline: 14434 (dedicated helpline, toll-free)
  • CSC Helpline: 1800-121-3468
  • Official Portal: eshram.gov.in
  • Ministry of Labour: labour.gov.in
  • Grievance: eshram.gov.in → 'Grievance' or pgportal.gov.in

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