The e-Shram Card is a government initiative designed to create a national database of workers in India’s unorganised sector, including migrant labourers, street vendors, rickshaw pullers, and many others. Launched in August 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, this scheme aims to streamline the delivery of social security and welfare benefits to an estimated 380 million unorganised workers.

By providing a centralised identification system, the e-Shram Card helps ensure that workers receive essential support such as healthcare, insurance, and pensions more efficiently and fairly.

Read below this article to learn about e-Shram card, its benefits, eligibility, documents needed, and complete application process.

What Is An e-Shram Card?

The e-Shram Card is a unique identification card provided to unorganised sector workers after they register on the e-Shram portal. This card contains a Universal Account Number (UAN) that serves as a national identity for workers. The cardholders are eligible for various social security benefits, including accidental insurance coverage, pension plans, and access to healthcare services. The card aims to bridge the gap between unorganised workers and social welfare programs, helping them avail of government benefits with ease.

What Is e-Shram Card Yojana?

The e-Shram Card Yojana is a government initiative launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to create a national database of unorganised sector workers. This scheme aims to provide social security and welfare benefits to workers who do not have formal employer-employee relationships or access to structured employment benefits. By registering in this database, workers can access government schemes, accidental insurance, healthcare, and pension benefits.

Benefits for e-Shram Cardholders	Details
Accidental Insurance Coverage	Rs 2 lakh free accidental insurance coverage for 1 year from the date of registration.
Compensation in Case of Death/Disability	In case of accidental death or permanent disability, the nominated family member will receive the insurance amount.
Free Annual Health Checkups	e-Shram cardholders are eligible for free annual health checkups at authorised hospitals.
Hassle-free Hospitalisation	In case of emergencies, especially when travelling outstation, cardholders can get hassle-free hospitalisation at registered hospitals.
Monthly Pension	After attaining 60 years of age, cardholders will receive a Rs 3,000 monthly pension under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Scheme.

Also read: Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (प्रधानमंत्री श्रम योगी मानधन योजना) | PM-SYM Registration Online

Understanding India's Unorganised Sector

Over 85% of India’s workforce is involved in unorganised labour, such as farming, construction, and gig work. These jobs often lack formal contracts and social security benefits. Workers in these sectors face unstable incomes and risky work conditions, making it difficult to support them. The e-Shram project aims to tackle this by using a centralised database to help workers access benefits and social protection schemes.

Benefits Of The e-Shram Card Initiative

The e-Shram initiative, launched by the Government of India, aims to provide social security benefits to unorganised sector workers. It is a comprehensive database of unorganised workers, including migrant workers, gig workers, and others who previously lacked a formal safety net. This initiative has numerous benefits for the registered workers, including access to welfare schemes, social security, and financial aid.

1. Access to Social Security. Medical/accident coverage, maternity benefits, and old age/disability pensions are now reachable.

2. Direct Benefit Transfers. Timely credit of welfare funds into the bank accounts of holders

3. Financial Literacy and Empowerment. Promotes account ownership, digital payments, and a financial planning mindset.

4. Portable Labour Identity. Enables migrant workers to keep benefits across location changes.

5. Better Working Conditions. Allows organised advocacy for labour rights and obligation enforcement from employers

38 crore e-Shram cards are slated for issuance. This can uplift India's marginalised informal workforce from chronic poverty, indebtedness, and exploitation.

Key Features Of The e-Shram Card Yojana

E Shram Card Yojana has been created to bring about a revolution in the social welfare and social security for unorganised sector and labour. The scheme has various salient features that make it lucrative and beneficial. The key features of e-shram card yojana are:

1. Creation of the National Unorganised Workers Database via voluntary enrollment of labourers.

2. Issuance of smart e-Shram cards containing a unique ID number for each registered worker

3. A centralised beneficiary registry allowing portability of identity and benefits across India

4. Channelling government-to-citizen communication about social security and employment schemes

The e-Shram ecosystem hence establishes the first-ever consolidated platform for unregulated workers. This helps them claim specific help programmes, free insurance, pensions, and more.

What Is The Eligibility Criteria For Getting An e-Shram Card?

The eligibility criteria for e-shram initiative can be summarised as:

• Individuals working in the Unorganised sector

• The worker should be aged between 16 and 59

• Labourers and daily-wage earners who must not be enrolled in EPFO/ESIC or NPS memberships.

• Workers having a mobile number linked with their Aadhar Card.

• Workers should be non income taxpayers.

Which Documents Are Required To Apply For An e-Shram Card?

The following documents are required for an e-shram card:

• Aadhaar Card

• Bank Account

• Mobile number linked with Aadhaar card

How To Apply For An e-Shram Card Online?

The enrollment process is completely digital. It allows self-registration through the portal so that every citizen can access it. The key steps are:

The e-Shram card application can be submitted either through the Common Service Centre (CSC) or the e-Shram portal. Those eligible can visit the nearest CSC centre to apply for the e-Shram card, and the e-Shram portal helps locate the nearest CSC centre by entering the state and district information.

The online application process for obtaining the e-Shram card is outlined below:

Step 1: Go to the e-Shram portal's self-registration page. Step 2: Input the Aadhaar-linked mobile number, captcha code, and click 'Send OTP.'

Step 3: Receive the OTP on the registered mobile number and enter it, then click 'Validate.'

Step 4: Confirm the personal details present on the screen.

Step 5: Provide necessary information, including address and educational qualifications.

Step 6: Choose the skill name, and specify the nature of the business and type of work.

Step 7: Enter bank details and select self-declaration.

Step 8: Click 'Preview' to review the entered details, then click 'Submit.'

Step 9: Receive another OTP, enter it, and click 'Verify.'

Step 10: The e-Shram card is generated and displayed on the screen.

Step 11: Optionally, download the e-Shram card by clicking on the download option.

Applicants must save this e-card as proof of availing of benefits. Helplines and facilitation centres at banks also guide workers needing help with registration.

Also read: Protect Your House With Bharat Griha Raksha Policy!

How To Download The e-Shram Card?

The e-shram card can be downloaded using the following steps:

Step 1: Go to the e-Shram portal.

Step 2: Click on the 'Already Registered' tab and choose the option to 'Update/download UAN card.'

Step 3: Provide the date of birth, UAN number, and captcha code, and click 'Generate OTP.'

Step 4: Enter the OTP received on your mobile and click 'Validate.'

Step 5: Confirm the displayed personal details.

Step 6: Click on 'Preview' to review the entered details, and then click 'Submit.'

Step 7: Receive another OTP, enter it, and click 'Verify.'

Step 8: The e-Shram card is generated and shown on the screen.

Step 9: At this time, you can download the e-Shram card by clicking on the download option.

How To Download An Existing e-Shram Card?

If you have an already registered e-shram card, you can download it by following the steps given below.

Step 1: Visit the official e-Shram website.

Step 2: Select ‘Already registered.’

Step 3: Select ‘Download UAN card.’

Step 4: Enter the required information, including your UAN number, date of birth and captcha Step 5: and an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number.

Step 6: Enter the OTP and validate your account.

Step 7: After confirming the details, submit and complete the verification process via OTP.

Step 8: You can now download the generated e-Shram card.

How To Check e-Shram Card Balance And Payment Status?

To know your e-Shram card remaining balance and payment status, follow the steps given below.

Step 1: Visit the official e-Shram portal.

Step 2: Select ‘E-Aadhaar card beneficiary status check.’

Step 3: Enter your Aadhaar number, UAN number or e-Shram card number.

Step 4: Click on ‘Submit’ and your payment status and remaining balance in the e-Shram card will be displayed.

Takeaway: Transforming India's Informal Sector With e-Shram Initiatives

India is leading the way in leveraging digital public infrastructure, as demonstrated by the e-Shram initiative. By using digital platforms to implement social welfare schemes, India is setting new standards in providing social support. The e-Shram initiative highlights the country's success in using technology to improve welfare programs and is a model for other nations.

To apply for an e-shram card visit the official website or contact 14434 or 01123710704 for any query.

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