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e-Shram Card (National Database of Unorganised Workers)

ई-श्रम कार्ड

e-Shram registers unorganised workers aged 16 to 59 on a national database and issues a Universal Account Number card, which is used as a single entry point to a set of central social security schemes.

Researched by Mirza Seraj BaigFacts last checked against official sources on 7 September 2026
What you get
A free e-Shram card carrying a Universal Account Number (UAN). Registration links the worker to social security schemes mapped to the portal — twelve schemes of different central ministries and departments have been integrated with e-Shram, and the one-stop solution lets registered workers see which benefits they have availed.
Who it is for
Workers in the unorganised sector aged 16 to 59 — including self-employed people, daily wage labourers, agricultural workers, construction workers, domestic workers, street vendors and gig workers.
Implemented by
Ministry of Labour and Employment
Coverage
Central scheme — available across India
Official portal
eshram.gov.in ↗
Apply only on the official portal. This page explains the scheme; it does not process applications. Registration on government portals is free — do not pay anyone who offers to get you approved.

Who is eligible

  • You must be between 16 and 59 years of age.
  • You must be working in the unorganised sector, including self-employment, daily wage work and gig work.
  • You must have an Aadhaar card, a mobile number linked to that Aadhaar, and a bank account.
  • You must not be a member of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) or the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
  • You must not be an income tax payer.

Who is not eligible

These exclusions are as important as the eligibility rules — an application that falls into any of the categories below will be rejected or the benefit later recovered.

  • Existing EPFO or ESIC members.
  • Income tax payers.
  • Anyone below 16 or above 59 years of age.

Documents required

  • Aadhaar card
  • Mobile number linked to Aadhaar (registration uses OTP)
  • Bank account number with IFSC code
  • Details of your occupation and skills
  • Nominee details, if you wish to add a nominee

How to apply for e-Shram

  1. Open the official e-Shram portal

    Go to eshram.gov.in and choose the self-registration option. Registration is free of cost.

    Open the official page ↗

  2. Verify with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number

    Enter the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar and complete OTP verification. If your mobile is not linked to Aadhaar, register at a Common Service Centre using biometrics instead.

  3. Fill in your personal and work details

    Enter your address, education, occupation, skills and family details. Choose your occupation carefully — scheme mapping depends on it.

  4. Add bank and nominee details

    Enter your bank account number and IFSC code, and add a nominee if you wish.

  5. Download your e-Shram card

    After submission the portal generates your Universal Account Number and card, which you can download immediately as a PDF.

Go to the official government portal ↗

How to check your status

  1. Open the e-Shram portal and choose to update or download

    On eshram.gov.in, choose the option to update your profile or download your card again.

    Open the official page ↗

  2. Log in with your UAN or Aadhaar-linked mobile

    Enter your UAN or the registered mobile number and verify with the OTP sent to that number.

  3. View your record and download the card

    You can view your registration details, see which mapped schemes you have availed, and download a fresh copy of the card.

Frequently asked questions

Who can register on the e-Shram portal?

Any unorganised worker aged between 16 and 59 who is not a member of EPFO or ESIC and is not an income tax payer, provided they have an Aadhaar card, a mobile number linked to Aadhaar, and a bank account.

Is the e-Shram card free?

Yes. Self-registration on eshram.gov.in is free. Be cautious of anyone charging a fee to make an e-Shram card for you.

What is PMSBY and how does it relate to e-Shram?

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is one of the twelve central schemes mapped to e-Shram. It is open to people aged 18 to 70 with a bank or post office account who consent to auto-debit, and covers ₹2 lakh for accidental death or total permanent disability and ₹1 lakh for partial permanent disability, at a premium of ₹20 a year.

Can I register for e-Shram if my mobile is not linked to Aadhaar?

Not through self-registration, which relies on OTP. Visit a Common Service Centre, where registration can be completed using biometric authentication instead.

Does an e-Shram card give me a monthly payment?

No. The card itself is a registration and identity record. It links you to social security schemes mapped to the portal — benefits depend on the individual scheme rules, not on holding the card alone.

Applying from your state

e-Shram is a central scheme, so it is open in every state and union territory. Verification, and the state-issued documents you may be asked for, differ by state.

Related schemes

PM-JAY

PM-JAY gives eligible families health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation, cashless at empanelled hospitals. Since October 2024 every citizen aged 70 or above qualifies regardless of income, through the Ayushman Vay Vandana card.

APY

Atal Pension Yojana gives subscribers a central-government-guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 from the age of 60, in return for regular contributions made from the age they join until 60.