What benefits does the e-Shram card give?

A permanent 12-digit Universal Account Number recognised nationwide, accident insurance cover of ₹2 lakh under PMSBY linked to registration, easier access to schemes for unorganised workers (PM-SYM pension, state labour welfare board benefits), and inclusion in the national registry that governments use to target relief and welfare payments.

How do I register for an e-Shram card?

Free self-registration at eshram.gov.in: enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number, verify the OTP, confirm your Aadhaar details, add bank account, education, income, and occupation details, and submit — the card with your UAN is generated instantly. You can also register at any Common Service Centre.

Does the e-Shram card expire or need renewal?

No — the card and UAN are valid for life. You should update your details (occupation, mobile number, address) on the portal when they change.

Does the e-Shram card give a monthly payment?

Not by itself. e-Shram is a registry, not a cash scheme — but registration makes you visible for benefit transfers governments route through it and connects you to schemes like PM-SYM pension. Beware of videos claiming a fixed monthly 'e-Shram bhatta' — verify any such claim on eshram.gov.in.

e-Shram Card: Eligibility, Benefits & How to Register

Q: Who is eligible for the e-Shram card?

Any unorganised worker aged 16–59 — daily-wage labourers, domestic workers, street vendors, gig and platform workers, farm labour, construction workers, drivers, and similar. You must not be a member of EPFO or ESIC and should not be an income-tax payer. There is no income limit for registration.

Updated 5 June 2026 · By the SchemeCheck team

Quick answer: Any unorganised worker aged 16–59 — daily-wage, domestic, gig, construction, farm, street vending — who is not in EPFO/ESIC and doesn't pay income tax can register free at eshram.gov.in with Aadhaar and an OTP. You get a lifetime Universal Account Number, ₹2 lakh accident insurance linkage, and access to worker welfare schemes.

Registered on e-Shram? You likely qualify for several more schemes.

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What is e-Shram?

e-Shram is the Government of India's national registry of unorganised workers, run by the Ministry of Labour & Employment. Over 30 crore workers are registered. It is not a cash scheme by itself — it is the gateway record governments use to deliver insurance, pensions, and relief to informal workers. If you work outside the formal PF/ESI system, registering is the single most useful first step to becoming visible to welfare schemes.

Who can register (eligibility)

Age 16–59
Working in the unorganised sector: daily-wage and casual labour, domestic workers, street vendors and hawkers, construction workers, agricultural labourers, gig/platform workers (delivery, ride-hailing), drivers, weavers, fishermen, MGNREGA workers, ASHA/anganwadi workers, and 30+ listed occupation groups
Not a member of EPFO or ESIC (i.e., not in a formal salaried job with PF)
Not an income-tax payer
Aadhaar linked to a mobile number, and a bank account
There is no income limit for registration

What you get

Universal Account Number (UAN): a permanent 12-digit ID recognised across India — your work identity follows you even if you migrate between states.
₹2 lakh accident insurance: registration links you to Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana cover for accidental death or permanent disability (₹1 lakh for partial disability). Keep your linked bank account active for the nominal annual premium auto-debit.
Scheme access: e-Shram data is used to enrol and target benefits — PM-SYM pension (₹3,000/month after 60 for unorganised workers, see also Atal Pension Yojana), state labour welfare board benefits, housing and health schemes, and emergency relief transfers during crises.
Skilling and jobs: the portal connects to skill development programs and job matching for registered workers.

How to register (free, ~5 minutes)

Go to eshram.gov.in and click Register on e-Shram.
Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and the captcha; confirm you're not in EPFO/ESIC; verify the OTP.
Enter your Aadhaar number and verify — your name, photo, and details auto-fill.
Fill in: address, education, occupation (choose from the listed categories), monthly income estimate, and bank account details.
Add a nominee (important — they receive the insurance payout).
Submit. Your e-Shram card with UAN generates instantly — download the PDF or collect a print at a CSC.

No smartphone? Any Common Service Centre registers you free of charge with biometric verification. The card never expires; just update your details if your occupation or mobile changes.

Watch out for misinformation

Viral videos regularly claim a fixed monthly "e-Shram bhatta" of ₹1,000–₹3,000 for all cardholders. No such universal payment exists. Real payments routed via e-Shram are scheme-specific or state-specific. Verify any claim on eshram.gov.in — or ask SchemeCheck on WhatsApp, which only lists verified schemes.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the e-Shram card?

Unorganised workers aged 16–59 who aren't EPFO/ESIC members and don't pay income tax. No income limit applies.

What benefits does the card give?

A lifetime UAN, ₹2 lakh accident insurance linkage, and priority access to worker welfare schemes and relief transfers.

How do I register?

Free at eshram.gov.in with your Aadhaar-linked mobile and an OTP, or at any CSC. The card generates instantly.

Does the card expire?

No — it's valid for life. Update your details when your occupation, address, or mobile number changes.

Does e-Shram pay a monthly amount?

No universal monthly payment exists — claims of an automatic "e-Shram bhatta" are misinformation. Benefits flow through specific linked schemes.

The e-Shram card opens doors. See which schemes are behind them — free.