e-Shram Card: Benefits, Eligibility and How to Register Free Online
Construction workers, domestic helpers, street vendors, farm labourers, delivery riders: crores of Indians work without a provident fund or a company insurance policy. The e-Shram card is the central government's way of bringing these workers into one national database, so that welfare support can reach them more easily.
Registration is free, and you can do it on your mobile. Here is what the card gives you, who can apply and how to register.
What is the e-Shram card?
e-Shram is a national database of unorganised workers, run by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. When you register, you receive a card with a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN). This number stays with you across jobs and states, so a migrant worker keeps the same record after moving for work.
Who can register?
- You work in the unorganised sector, or you are a gig or platform worker.
- You are between 16 and 59 years old.
- You are not a member of EPFO, ESIC or NPS (government funded).
- You do not pay income tax.
Common examples include farm workers, tailors, auto drivers, beauty parlour staff, housemaids, fishermen, vegetable sellers and construction workers.
Main benefits of the e-Shram card
- Accident insurance: registered workers are covered under PM Suraksha Bima Yojana support, with ₹2 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability and ₹1 lakh for partial disability.
- One identity across India: your UAN works in every state.
- Easier access to schemes: the database helps governments identify workers during welfare drives and emergencies.
Does the e-Shram card give ₹3,000 pension?
This is the most common confusion. The ₹3,000 monthly pension belongs to PM Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM), a separate voluntary scheme for unorganised workers aged 18 to 40. You pay a small monthly contribution, the government matches it, and the pension begins after you turn 60. Your e-Shram registration can make it easier to find and join such schemes, but you do not get the pension merely by holding the card.
Likewise, the card does not put money in your bank account every month. Be careful of messages that promise "e-Shram money" and ask for your OTP.
Documents needed
- Aadhaar card
- Mobile number linked to Aadhaar
- Savings bank account number and IFSC code
If your mobile is not linked to Aadhaar, go to a Common Service Centre, where the operator can use biometric verification.
How to register for e-Shram online
- Open the official portal, eshram.gov.in, or the official app.
- Choose self registration and enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Enter the OTP and your Aadhaar number, then verify your details.
- Fill in your address, education, occupation and skills.
- Enter your bank account details.
- Review the form and submit it.
- Download your e-Shram card with your UAN.
Register at a Common Service Centre
If you find the form difficult or you have no Aadhaar-linked number, visit a CSC. Registration on the portal is free for workers, so ask the operator about any service charge before you begin.
Keep your details updated
Update your mobile number, address, occupation and bank details on the portal whenever they change. Incorrect bank details can create problems if a benefit is ever paid to you. Tell a family member where your card is kept and how to contact the scheme, as they will need these details if there is an accident.
How to claim accident benefits
Claims are handled through the process set by the authorities. Keep the UAN card, Aadhaar, bank details, hospital records, the police report (FIR) in accident cases, and any death or disability certificate. Report the accident as early as you can and call the helpline for current claim steps.
Common questions
Is there a fee to register? No. Do not pay anyone who says the fee is required.
Do I need to renew my card? Keep your profile updated on the portal, and check the official portal if renewal is requested.
I work for a small shop without PF. Can I join? Yes, if you meet the other conditions.
I pay into EPF. Can I join? EPFO members are not eligible.
Official links
Last checked: 3 November 2026.
