FAQs | e-Shram

Q1. What is e-Shram and its purpose?

e-Shram is a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) launched by the Government of India under the Ministry of Labour & Employment. Its primary purpose is to facilitate delivery of welfare benefits and social security measures to unorganised sector workers across the country. The platform aims to register and provide identity cards to unorganised workers, enabling them to access various government schemes, benefits, and services more efficiently.

Q2. Where can I access e-Shram services?

e-Shram services can be accessed through e-Shram portal. You may visit e-Shram portal online at http://www.eshram.gov.in. From there, you can register for an account, apply for benefits, update your information, and avail various services offered under the e-Shram initiative.

Q3. Who are unorganised workers?

Any worker who is a home-based worker, self-employed worker or a wage worker working in the unorganised sector and not a member of ESIC or EPFO, is called an unorganised worker.

Q4. What is unorganised sector?

Unorganised sector comprises of establishment/ units which are engaged in the production/ sale of goods/ services and employs less than 10 workers. These units are not covered under ESIC & EPFO

Q5. What is UAN?

UAN or Universal Account Number is a 12 digit number uniquely assigned to each unorganised worker after registration on e-Shram portal. UAN is a permanent number i.e., once assigned, it will remain unchanged for any worker.

Q6. What should I do if I encounter technical issues with the e-Shram portal?

If you encounter technical issues while using the e-Shram portal, here are steps you can take to resolve them:

Check Internet Connection: Ensure that your internet connection is stable and working properly.

Refresh the Page:Sometimes, simply refreshing the page can resolve minor display or loading issues.

Clear Browser Cache: Clearing your browser's cache and cookies can help resolve issues related to stored data.
Try Another Browser: If the issue persists, try accessing the portal using a different web browser or device.
Contact Support:If none of the above steps resolves the problem, contact the e-Shram portal helpdesk at 14434 for assistance. They can provide further troubleshooting steps or escalate the issue to the technical team, if necessary.

Provide Details: When contacting support, provide details about the issue you are experiencing, including any error messages or specific actions that led to the problem. This information will help them diagnose and resolve the issue more effectively.
Keep Updated:Check for any announcements or updates on the e-Shram portal or official communication channels regarding known technical issues or maintenance periods.

Q7. How can I stay informed about updates and changes to e-Shram services?

To stay informed about updates and changes to e-Shram services, you can follow these steps:

Official Website: Visit the official e-Shram website regularly www.eshram.gov.in. Important announcements and updates are posted on the Portal.
Social Media: Follow e-Shram on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Updates and announcements are shared on these channels to keep stakeholders informed.

Q8. Is there any helpdesk I can contact to address my queries?

A dedicated National Help desk has been setup for any queries related to e-Shram registration and grievances. Helpdesk Number is 14434/18008896811 (9.00 AM to 6.00 PM - Daily including Sundays).

Q9. I am unable to connect to the helpdesk number – 14434/18008896811. What should I do?

Due to high call volume, there may be a scenario where a call could not be connected to helpdesk number 14434/18008896811 (9.00 AM to 6.00 PM - Daily including Sundays). In such case, you are requested to try again after some time or you may raise your grievance through online portal https://gms.eshram.gov.in.

Q10. Are there any income criteria?

There are no income criteria for registering on e-Shram as unorganised worker. However, the worker should not be an income tax payee.

Q11. Are there any age eligibility criteria to register on e-Shram?

Any worker who is unorganised and aged between 16-59 years, is eligible to register on the e-Shram portal subject to fulfilling of other criteria.

Q12. What essential documents are required by the worker to register on e-Shram?

Following is required by the worker to register on the e-Shram portal–

Aadhaar Number
Aadhaar linked Mobile number.

Note: If a worker does not have Aadhaar linked mobile number, he/ she may visit nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or State Seva Kendra (SSK) and register through biometric authentication.

Q13. What is the benefit an unorganised worker will get when he/she registers on e-Shram portal?

Central Government has developed e-Shram portal which is a centralised database of unorganised workers seeded with Aadhaar. It is envisaged that this portal will be used to facilitate delivery of various social security benefits to unorganised workers. In emergency and national pandemic like situations, this database may be utilised to provide necessary assistance to the eligible unorganised workers.

Q14. How unorganised workers can register on e-Shram portal?

An unorganised worker may register himself/ herself by visiting e-Shram portal or through assisted approach by visiting nearest CSC.

Q15. Is there any charge the worker must pay for registration on the e-Shram portal?

Registration on e-Shram portal is free. Workers are not required to pay any charges to any registering entity.

Q16. Does the e-Shram card have validity period?

The e-Shram card never expires.

Q17. Does the worker have to renew the UAN card?

No, there is no need to renew the e-Shram card. However, it is recommended to keep the details on the card updated.

Q18. Who can update workers details on e-Shram?

Workers can self-update their details by visiting e-Shram portal or through CSC’s.

Q19. How can a worker update his/ her personal information on e-Shram?

Updating your personal information on e-Shram can typically be done through the following steps:

Login: Log in to your e-Shram account using your credentials (UAN and OTP).

Edit Information: Look for options to edit or update your personal details such as address, contact information, Banking details etc.

Save Changes: After making the necessary updates, be sure to save the changes by clicking on the "Save" or "Update" button.

Verification (if required):Depending on the information being updated, you may need to verify your changes through a confirmation email or OTP (One-Time Password) sent to your registered mobile number or email address.

Q20. What is NCO?

NCO stands for “National Classification of Occupation”. It is prepared on the basis of work and skill levels required to execute the work. It is an international practice and uniform across the country. It helps in comparing, classifying, sorting occupations and skill levels.

Q21. How to select the matching occupation which worker is currently doing?

At the time of registration on eShram Portal, a worker is required to select his activity in the form of occupation which he/ she is currently doing.

Q22. How occupation is different from skill?

A skill is a learned or natural ability to accomplish a particular task whereas an occupation is a person's usual or principal work or business, especially as a means of earning a living.

Q23. How my details will be used by the Labour ministry?

e-Shram is a centralised database seeded with Aadhaar. It will be used for facilitating delivery of social security benefits as implemented by Central & State Governments. It will also ensure portability of the social security and welfare benefits to the migrant and construction workers at their working places. It may also be used for providing assistance to the eligible workers during any National crisis like COVID-19 in future.

Q24. What if after registration on e-Shram the unorganised worker moves to organised sector?

In case if a worker moves to unorganised sector, he/ she will only be entitled for benefits defined for organised sector workers.

Q25. Whether I must give proof of my date of birth and income?

At present there is no need to provide any proof of date of birth and income.

Q26. Where do I go to solve my grievance?

You may call on national helpdesk to register your grievance or register your grievance on e-Shram Grievance portal (gms.eshram.gov.in).

Q27. Are there any educational qualifications prescribed for registering as an unorganised worker?

No, the worker is required to be employed in the gainful employment in the unorganised sector.

Q28. What are the documents that are to be submitted at the enrolment Centre?

Worker is not required to submit any document at the CSC’s. They are required to carry their Aadhaar number & Mobile number for registration.

Q29. What action is required to be taken by the worker, after attaining the age of 60 years?

Worker do not need to take any action after attaining the age of 60.

Q30. Who will operate the helpdesk/ grievance redressal mechanism?

Ministry of Labour & Employment is managing national helpdesk/ grievance redressal mechanism.

Q31. Is there any interactive map for finding the nearest location of the registration Centre?

Yes, please click on the link below to find your nearest CSC Centre for assisted registration - https://findmycsc.nic.in/csc.

Q32. Can the worker update his/ her photo on e-Shram portal?

During the registration, photo is retrieved from Aadhaar services. Therefore provision to update photo on eShram is not available. However, if worker’s photo is updated in Aadhaar, same will be reflected on e-Shram portal as well after completing Aadhaar re-eKYC on eShram.

Q33. What is occupation?

A person's usual or principal work or business, especially as a means of earning a living is called occupation.

Q34. What is primary occupation?

The activity which is major source of income for a worker is called his/ her primary activity/ occupation.

Q35. What is secondary occupation?

Any other activity which is a minor but significant source of income is called secondary activity/ occupation.

Q36. I have changed my registered mobile number. How can I update my mobile number? or register other mobile number on e-Shram portal?

You can login on e-Shram through “Update profile using Aadhaar” under “Already registered” menu and update the new mobile number as your registered number. If you do not have Aadhaar registered mobile number, you may also visit nearest CSC/ SSK’s to update mobile number.