eShram Card Scheme
Last Updated
July 2026 Fact Checked By: Schemewala Editorial Team
Quick Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | eShram Card Scheme |
| Ministry | Ministry of Labour & Employment |
| Beneficiaries | Unorganised sector workers (Maids, drivers, street vendors, etc.) |
| Core Product | A 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN) Card |
| Direct Benefit | ₹2 Lakh Accidental Insurance (via PMSBY) |
About the Scheme
India has hundreds of millions of unorganised workers—maids, gig workers, construction laborers, and street vendors—who have historically had no safety net. The eShram portal was created to build a national database of these workers.When you register, you get a 12-digit UAN (Universal Account Number) printed on an eShram card. This card acts as your official identity as an unorganised worker, allowing the government to push social security benefits, ration, and emergency cash directly to you during crises.
Exact Benefits & The ₹2 Lakh Insurance Reality
- The Insurance Rule (Insider Detail): The eShram card provides accidental insurance of ₹2 lakh for death/total disability, and ₹1 lakh for partial disability. However, the eShram portal itself does not pay you. The coverage is provided by routing you into the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). Actionable Tip:* Ensure your bank account is active. In many cases, the government pays the ₹20 premium for the first year, but for subsequent years, you must ensure your bank handles the PMSBY auto-debit to keep the eShram insurance active.
- Pension Gateway: Holding an eShram card makes you a priority candidate for the PM-SYM (Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan) scheme, which gives a ₹3,000/month pension after age 60.
Eligibility
- Must be an unorganised worker.
- Age should be between 16 and 59 years.
- Hidden Clause: You are NOT eligible if you are a member of EPFO/ESIC or an income tax payee. If you work in a corporate office and have a PF account, the system will automatically reject your eShram application.
Exact Navigation Path: Registration & Updating Profile
Your eShram card is only useful if your current job and bank account are correct. If you move cities, you must update it.To Register or Update:
- Go to eshram.gov.in.
- Click on "Register on eShram" (or "Already Registered? UPDATE").
- Enter the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar and complete the OTP verification.
- Fill in your details: Bank Account (Crucial for DBT), current occupation (NCO code), and address.
- If updating, make the changes and click Submit to download your new PDF card.
- CSC Fallback: If you lost the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar and cannot get the OTP, you must visit a local Common Service Centre (CSC). They can update your eShram profile using biometric fingerprint authentication.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Portal | eshram.gov.in |
FAQs
Will I get ₹1,000 every month if I make this card?
No. The eShram card is not a monthly salary scheme. While some state governments (like UP) distributed emergency maintenance allowances during crises to eShram holders in the past, there is no guaranteed monthly cash transfer currently attached to the card itself.
I work for Swiggy/Zomato. Should I get this?
Yes. Under the new Code on Social Security, the government is linking PM-JAY (Health Insurance) for gig workers directly through their eShram UAN data.
