**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1288 regarding initiatives for gig workers, to be answered on December 8, 2025. It provides details on the number of gig workers in India, government collaborations for welfare measures, campaigns to raise awareness among gig workers, initiatives to address challenges faced by women gig workers, and the availability of digital platforms for gig workers. A key date mentioned is the enforcement of the Code on Social Security, 2020 on 21.11.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Gig and Platform Worker Statistics:**
* The number of gig and platform workers in India was 7.7 million in 2020-21, expected to rise to 23.5 million by 2029-30, as per a NITI Aayog report from June 2022.
* **E-Shram Portal:**
* The e-Shram portal was launched on August 26, 2021, to create a centralized database of unorganized workers, including gig and platform workers.
* It provides a Universal Account Number (UAN) on a self-declaration basis.
* The State/UT-wise details of platform workers registered on e-Shram portal is annexed.
* Three nationwide special registration drives were held during April, May, and August-September, 2025 to maximize registration on the e-Shram portal.
* **Collaboration for Social Security:**
* The government has held multiple rounds of deliberations with various stakeholders to formulate a social security framework for gig and platform workers.
* **Code on Social Security, 2020:**
* The Code on Social Security, 2020, defines 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' and includes provisions related to them.
* The Code comes into force on November 21, 2025.
* It provides for framing social security measures covering life and disability, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection.
* The Code also allows for the setup of a Social Security Fund to finance welfare schemes.
* **E-Shram - "One-Stop-Solution":**
* Launched on October 21, 2024, this integrates various social security/welfare schemes on the e-Shram portal.
* It enables registered unorganized workers to access schemes and track benefits.
* **E-Shram Mobile App:**
* Launched on February 24, 2025, this app enhances accessibility to the e-Shram portal for unorganized workers, including gig and platform workers.
* It allows users to update information and access services directly from their smartphones.
**Impact Analysis**
**Gig and Platform Workers**
* **Impact:** Gig and platform workers will benefit from registration on the e-Shram portal and the e-Shram mobile application by gaining access to social security schemes and being able to manage their profiles and benefits.
* **Action Required:** Register on the e-Shram portal or through the mobile app to access benefits and update their information.
**Ministry of Labour and Employment**
* **Impact:** Overseeing the implementation and management of the e-Shram portal and mobile app, formulating and coordinating social security frameworks for gig and platform workers.
* **Action Required:** Continue to manage and improve the e-Shram portal and mobile app, monitor registration and access to benefits, and refine social security frameworks.
**State Governments/Union Territories**
* **Impact:** Collaborating with the Ministry of Labour and Employment to ensure the successful implementation of the e-Shram portal and social security frameworks for gig and platform workers in their respective regions.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate with the Ministry of Labour and Employment to promote registration on the e-Shram portal and facilitate access to benefits for gig and platform workers in their respective regions.
Key Entities Referenced
e-Shram portal: A centralized national database of unorganized workers, including gig and platform workers, providing them a Universal Account Number (UAN).
Code on Social Security, 2020: Provides the definition of 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' and includes provisions related to social security measures for them.
Ministry of Labour and Employment: The primary government body responsible for initiatives and welfare measures for gig workers in India.
NITI Aayog: Referenced for its report on India's Gig and Platform Economy and its estimation of the gig worker population.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1288
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
INITIATIVES FOR GIG WORKERS
1288. THIRU ARUN NEHRU:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)whether the Government has any data on the number of gig
workers at present in the country and their contribution in the
economy, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
(b)the details of the Government collaboration with International
Organizations, Private platforms, Industry Associations and gig
economy stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of
welfare measures;
(c)the details of the campaigns or initiatives launched to raise
awareness among gig workers about their rights and the benefits
and encourage them to register under the social security
framework and actively participate in welfare programme since
2019;
(d)the initiatives implemented to address the unique challenges
faced by women gig workers and ensure gender inclusivity in
welfare programme; and
(e)whether digital platforms or mobile applications are available to
facilitate gig workers' access to benefits, registration, and
grievance redressal mechanisms, if so, the details thereof along
with success and effectiveness of the platform?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (e): As per an estimation by NITI Aayog vide its report titled
“India`s Booming Gig and Platform Economy” published in June 2022,
the number of gig workers and platform workers in the country was
7.7 million in 2020-21, which is expected to rise to 23.5 million by
2029-30.
Contd..2/-:: 2 ::
The Ministry of Labour and Employment had launched e-
Shram portal on 26.08.2021 for creation of a Comprehensive
Centralised National Database of Unorganised Workers including
platform workers, migrant workers, etc. The e-Shram portal is meant
to register and support the unorganised workers including gig and
platform workers by providing them a Universal Account Number
(UAN) on a self-declaration basis. The State/UT-wise details of
platform workers registered on e-Shram portal is annexed.
Multiple rounds of deliberations have been conducted with
Aggregators, Knowledge Partners and Platform Workers
Unions/Associations and State Government/UTs for formulating
social security framework of gig and platform workers.
To maximise registration of platform workers on e-Shram
portal, three nationwide special registration drives were held during
the months of April, May and August-September, 2025 in collaboration
with States and Union Territories.
For the first time, the definition of ‘gig workers’ and
‘platform workers’ and provisions related to the same have been
provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020 which has come into
force on 21.11.2025.
The Code provides for framing of suitable social security
measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating
to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity
benefits, old age protection, etc. The Code provides for setting up a
Social Security Fund to finance these welfare schemes.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has launched the
e-Shram- ‘One-Stop-Solution’ on 21.10.2024 that entails integration of
different social security/welfare schemes at single portal i.e., e-
Shram. This is envisaged to enable unorganised workers registered
on e-Shram to access social security schemes and see benefits
availed by them so far, through e-Shram.
The Ministry has also launched the e-Shram mobile App for
unorganised workers including gig and platform workers on
24.02.2025, to enhance the accessibility and convenience of the e-
Shram portal. This mobile app allows unorganised workers to update
their information, and access various services directly from their
smartphones. By using the e-Shram mobile application unorganised
workers can manage their profile and benefits on the go, making it
easier for those with limited technical knowledge to use the platform
effectively.
* *****Annexure referred in reply to part (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.
1288 for 08.12.2025 regarding “Initiatives for Gig Workers”
State/UT-wise number of platform workers registered on e-Shram portal (as on 02.12.2025)
Sl. No. State/UT Registration Count
1 Andaman And Nicobar Islands 140
2 Andhra Pradesh 32910
3 Arunachal Pradesh 523
4 Assam 18907
5 Bihar 87635
6 Chandigarh 551
7 Chhattisgarh 4319
8 Delhi 14158
9 Goa 788
10 Gujarat 23239
11 Haryana 9000
12 Himachal Pradesh 1086
13 Jammu And Kashmir 2219
14 Jharkhand 9899
15 Karnataka 17124
16 Kerala 7244
17 Ladakh 43
18 Lakshadweep 4
19 Madhya Pradesh 20125
20 Maharashtra 106122
21 Manipur 556
22 Meghalaya 694
23 Mizoram 134
24 Nagaland 491
25 Odisha 7538
26 Puducherry 318
27 Punjab 6710
28 Rajasthan 21376
29 Sikkim 292
30 Tamil Nadu 23194
31 Telangana 17503
32 The Dadra And Nagar Haveli And Daman And Diu 107
33 Tripura 1487
34 Uttar Pradesh 36116
35 Uttarakhand 3969
36 West Bengal 37844
Grand Total 514365
*****