भारत का लक्ष्य 2030 तक 2.5 करोड़ गिग कार्यकर्ता; सरकार e‑Shram और नए श्रम कोड के माध्यम से सामाजिक सुरक्षा का विस्तार करेगी

Key Insight

गिग कार्यबल 2.5 करोड़ तक पहुंचेगा; e‑Shram सामाजिक सुरक्षा प्रदान करेगा

Key Facts

1. Current gig workers in India: 1 crore; projected to rise to 2.5 crore by 2030.
2. All platform aggregators must upload worker details on the e‑Shram portal by 22 June 2026.
3. The Code on Social Security was notified on 8 May 2026 and is being operationalised.
4. National Social Security Board for gig and platform workers is being activated to oversee schemes.
5. Accident and maternity benefit schemes for platform workers are under preparation with fund‑manager participation.
6. e‑Shram portal is likened to UPI and Aadhaar for its ability to make benefits portable across jobs and regions.
7. The initiative is co‑organised by FICCI‑AIOE and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Background

The gig economy is expanding rapidly, creating a large informal workforce that lacks traditional labour protections. Integrating these workers into the social‑security net aligns with the government's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and raises issues of e‑governance, fiscal sustainability, and compliance with international labour standards.

UPSC Syllabus

• Essay — Economy, Development and Inequality
• GS2 — Government policies and interventions for development
• Essay — Youth, Health and Welfare
• Prelims_GS — National Current Affairs
• GS2 — Governance, transparency, accountability and e-governance
• Essay — Environment and Sustainability
• GS3 — Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it
• Prelims_GS — Demographics and Social Sector

Mains Angle

GS 2 (Polity) – discuss the challenges and opportunities of extending social security to gig workers through the new Code on Social Security and e‑Shram. GS 3 (Economy) – analyse the impact of a 2.5‑crore gig workforce on productivity, tax revenue and inclusive growth.