How To apply?
The e-Shram Card is a flagship initiative launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. It serves as the first-ever national database of unorganized workers, aimed at providing social security benefits and tracking the welfare of millions of laborers across the country.
What is the e-Shram Card?
The e-Shram portal was developed to create a comprehensive record of workers in the unorganized sector. This includes construction workers, migrant laborers, street vendors, domestic workers, agriculture workers, and many others. Upon successful registration, a worker receives a Universal Account Number (UAN)—a permanent 12-digit unique number valid across India.
Why was it created?
Historically, the unorganized sector lacked a centralized system, making it difficult for the government to distribute aid during crises (like the COVID-19 pandemic). The e-Shram card bridges this gap by ensuring that relief and social security benefits reach the intended beneficiaries directly without middleman interference.
Benefits of Registration
Registering for an e-Shram card offers several advantages designed to provide a safety net for workers:
Social Security Schemes: Registered workers become eligible for various government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) for pension and other insurance covers.
Accident Insurance: Initially, the government provided Accidental Insurance cover through the PMSBY (Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana), offering $₹2$ lakh for accidental death and $₹1$ lakh for partial disability.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): During emergencies or pandemics, the government can transfer financial assistance directly to the linked bank accounts of cardholders.
Portability of Benefits: Since the UAN is valid nationwide, migrant workers can claim benefits regardless of the state they are working in.
Employment Opportunities: The data helps the government identify skill gaps and provide better job opportunities and training programs.
Eligibility Criteria
To register for the e-Shram portal, an individual must meet the following requirements:
Occupation: Must be working in an unorganized sector (e.g., small farmers, carpenters, barbers, ASHAs, rickshaw pullers).
Age Limit: The worker must be between 16 and 59 years of age.
Exclusions: Individuals who are members of EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) or ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation) are not eligible. Additionally, income taxpayers are generally excluded from this specific scheme.
Required Documents
The registration process is designed to be simple and requires minimal documentation:
Aadhaar Number: Essential for identity verification.
Mobile Number: Must be linked to Aadhaar for OTP (One Time Password) verification.
Bank Account Details: Required for the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of funds.
Educational Certificate (Optional): To record skill levels.
Occupational Details: Information about the type of work performed.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
There are two primary ways to register: Self-Registration via the official portal or through a Common Service Centre (CSC).
1. Self-Registration (Online)
Visit the Portal: Go to the official e-Shram website.
Enter Details: Click on ‘Register on e-Shram’. Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and the Captcha code.
OTP Verification: Enter the OTP sent to your phone.
Aadhaar Authentication: Provide your Aadhaar number and verify via OTP, fingerprint, or Iris scan.
Fill Personal Information: Once verified, your Aadhaar data will be fetched. You must then manually fill in your address, educational qualification, occupation, and bank details.
Preview and Submit: Review all information for accuracy.
Download UAN Card: After submission, your e-Shram card with the 12-digit UAN will be generated. You can download and print it immediately.
2. Registration via CSC
If you do not have a linked mobile number or face technical difficulties, you can visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC). The VLE (Village Level Entrepreneur) will assist you with biometric authentication (fingerprint scan) to complete the registration for free.
Important Considerations
Cost: Registration on the e-Shram portal is completely free. If someone asks for money for the government registration itself, it is likely a scam. However, CSCs may charge a nominal fee for printing and laminating the physical card.
Update Information: If your mobile number, address, or occupation changes, you should update your profile on the portal to ensure you don’t miss out on benefits.
One Card Policy: A worker should only register once. The UAN is permanent and does not need to be renewed, though information can be updated periodically.
Conclusion
The e-Shram card is a powerful tool for the empowerment of India’s vast labor force. By formalizing the information of the unorganized sector, the government is creating a foundation for a more inclusive economy where every worker has an identity and access to social protection.
