e-Shram Card: Registration, Apply Online, Benefits, Payment Status, Balance Check, Download

The unorganised sector is the very backbone of the Indian economy. This sector comprises millions of daily wage earners, construction workers, domestic workers, street sellers, and gig workers. However, over decades, this layer of the working population did not fall under the umbrella of organized social security.  In 2021, the Government of India has introduced the e-Shram Card scheme (under the Ministry of Labour and Employment) to fill this gap. This is a measure to establish a national database of unorganised workers and provide them with welfare programmes, insurance and financial assistance.

For an Indian worker who does not fit the formal Indian employment market, the e-Sram card is not just another piece of government paper, it is the path to recognition, protection, and benefits.

e-Shram Portal: The Key Features

The e-Shram portal is the digital backbone of e-Shram Card scheme. This portal makes the card easily registerable and accessible to millions of workers. The most prominent features of the  e-Shram portal are:

• Establishment of a centralised national database of unorganised workers across industries
• Coverage to various categories including migrant workers, street vendors, farm workers, domestic workers, gig economy workers, construction workers, and others.
• Connection of workers to social security and welfare programs at the central and state levels.
• Assigning a 12 digit Universal Account Number (UAN) to every registered laborer, which makes them recognized all over the country.

Through consolidation of the dispersed information on workers into a single platform, the government hopes to simplify policy-making and provide welfare without bureaucratic delays.

Eligibility Criteria for e-Shram Card Registration

It is important to dig a little deeper before jumping into e- Shram Card registration and find out who is eligible to have the card. The plan is available to a broad group of employees and has simple eligibility requirements:

• The age of the applicant should be between 16 years and 59 years.
• The applicant must be working in the unorganised sector including gig work, manual labour, agriculture, construction, or household services.
• The applicant must not be an income taxpayer and not to be covered by EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) or ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation).

This participatory system guarantees that millions of workers, who are usually overlooked, now have some presence in the labour eco-system throughout the nation.

Documents to Submit for e-Shram Card Registration

For e-Shram Card registration, workers need to keep the following documents handy:

• Aadhaar card (mandatory for identity verification).
• Bank account details, including account number and IFSC code.
• Mobile number linked with Aadhaar, to receive OTPs for verification.
• In some cases, additional documents like ration cards or occupation details may be requested, but Aadhaar and bank details remain the core essentials.

The document requirement is deliberately kept minimal to ensure workers don’t face unnecessary hurdles.

How to do e-Shram Card Registration Online?

The  e-Shram Card registration has been made worker-friendly, keeping in mind that not every applicant is tech-savvy. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown of  the e-Shram Card online registration process:

1. Visit the official portal at eshram.gov.in.
2. Click on the “Register on e-Shram” option.
3. Enter the Aadhaar-linked mobile number and validate using OTP.
4. Fill in personal details like name, date of birth, occupation, and residential address.
5. Provide bank account details.
6. Review the information carefully before final submission.
7. Once submitted, the system generates a 12-digit UAN card which can be downloaded.

For those unable to self-register, Common Service Centres (CSCs) across India provide free support for e-Shram Card online registration.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for e-Shram Card

While e-Shram Card registration  and application can overlap, it helps to understand the flow distinctly:

• Fill Application Form: Workers must provide occupation, skill type, education level, and family details.
• Document Verification: Aadhaar authentication ensures accurate data.
• Generate UAN: After verification, the worker receives a Universal Account Number unique to them.
• Download Card: The e-Shram Card online can be instantly downloaded and printed for use.

This e-Shram Card online application process is designed to be quick—often taking less than 10 minutes at a CSC centre.

Advantages of having e-Shram Card

The benefits of e-Shram Card go far beyond a piece of paper. It opens access to multiple Government welfare schemes and financial support mechanisms:

• Insurance Coverage: Registered workers are automatically covered under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). This provides accident insurance of ₹2 lakh in case of death or permanent disability and ₹1 lakh for partial disability.
• Social Security Access: Future schemes related to pensions, maternity benefits, and skill development programs will be linked to the e-Shram database.
• Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT): Financial aid is directly credited to the worker’s bank account without middlemen.
• State-Level Schemes: Many states have integrated their own welfare programs with the e-Shram card for seamless benefits.
• National Recognition: With a UAN, workers can carry their identity across states, crucial for migrant workers.

The promise of long-term welfare and instant recognition makes this card a must-have for eligible workers.

Checking e-Shram Card Payment Status

Workers are often concerned about whether the promised benefits have reached their accounts. Fortunately, checking e-Shram Card payment status is straightforward:

• Visit the official e-Shram portal or state-specific welfare portals.
• Log in with your UAN and registered mobile number.
• Navigate to the payment status section to view credited amounts.
• Alternatively, visit a nearby CSC or check your bank’s passbook/statement for updates.

States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal have rolled out direct cash assistance to registered workers, making the payment status check an essential step.

How to Check the e-Shram Card Balance

Many workers prefer quick methods to know if their balance has been updated. Here are common ways to check your e-Shram Card balance:

• Through online portals linked to the scheme.
• By updating and checking your bank passbook.
• Using SMS alerts sent by banks after DBT transfers.
• Visiting CSC centres where operators can check your balance online.

Since payments are directly credited to bank accounts, ensuring that the Aadhaar-bank link is active is critical.

How to do e-Shram Card Download Online

In case you misplace or need another copy, the e-Shram Card download online process can be completed in a few simple steps:

1. Go to the official portal (eshram.gov.in).
2. Select “Update/Download e-Shram Card.”
3. Enter your UAN and registered mobile number.
4. Authenticate via OTP.
5. Download the PDF copy of your card and print it.

This e-Shram Card download online process ensures that workers never have to worry about losing access to their benefits.

Latest Updates on e-Shram Card Scheme

The e-Shram scheme is constantly evolving. Recent updates include:

• Expansion of different worker categories: Gig workers such as cab drivers via apps and delivery partners are becoming part of the beneficiary group as well.
• Integration of benefits at the State-level: A number of the state governments are declaring other schemes that only e-Shram cardholders can enjoy.
• Increased awareness campaigns: The Government is actively carrying out campaigns and drives to bring in more workers to the ambit of this initiative.

Having more than 29 crore workers registered already till mid- 2025, the scheme is gradually earning the reputation of being one of the biggest welfare schemes in India.

The Bottomline:

The e-Shram Card is not merely another identity card issued by the government but a ladder to dignity, safety and empowerment to the unorganised workforce of India. Its easy registration system, minimal documentation and great incentive make it such that workers who drive the economy of the country cannot remain in the shadows anymore.

You can be a construction worker in a big city, a street vendor in a small town or a migrant worker moving across states, the e-Shram Card can give you recognition and protection. And if you are eligible and have not registered yet, this is the moment to get registered, get your UAN and get access to the benefits that await you.