Gig and Delivery Workers: Social Security Under the New Code and e-Shram

If you deliver food, drive for a ride app, do quick-commerce deliveries or take tasks through any app, India's labour law now formally recognises you as a gig or platform worker. In practical terms, the most useful thing you can do right now is register on the government's e-Shram portal, keep a record of the days you work for each app, and understand that most of the actual benefit schemes for gig workers are still being set up. Registration costs nothing, and it's the step that later schemes will rely on.

The topic is in the news again. On 29 September 2026, IndiaTech, an industry body representing platforms such as Ola, Swiggy, Zomato and Porter, submitted a white paper to the labour ministry asking for changes to how aggregators' social security contributions are calculated, as Mint reported on 4 October. Meanwhile the festive season has brought a wave of new delivery and warehouse workers onto apps. So it's a good moment to understand where things stand.

What the law now says, in plain words

The Code on Social Security, 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025. For the first time, it defines "gig workers" and "platform workers" in law. According to the labour ministry's reply in the Lok Sabha in July 2026, the Code provides for social security schemes for these workers covering life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection and similar needs.

These schemes are to be funded partly by a Social Security Fund. Aggregators (the companies running the apps) are to contribute between 1% and 2% of their annual turnover, capped at 5% of what they pay or owe to gig and platform workers. That's the formula IndiaTech wants changed. The Code also provides for a National Social Security Board for gig and platform workers.

The Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026, notified on 8 May 2026, fill in the operating details. The ones that matter most to workers:

• Every gig and platform worker aged 16 or above is to be registered, with Aadhaar, on a government portal on a self-declaration basis.
• Aggregators must share details of the workers engaged through them with the government portal electronically, register new workers in real time or daily, and report when workers exit.
• To be eligible for benefits under a scheme for gig and platform workers, you generally need to have been engaged for at least 90 days with one aggregator, or at least 120 days across multiple aggregators, in the previous financial year. Individual schemes can add other conditions.

Separately, the Union Budget 2025-26 announced that online platform workers would get identity cards, registration on e-Shram and healthcare under PM Jan Arogya Yojana.

What you should do now

1. Register on e-Shram if you haven't. e-Shram is the national database of unorganised workers, and it gives you a Universal Account Number. It's free. You need an Aadhaar-linked mobile number, and you can register yourself on eshram.gov.in or at a Common Service Centre. Over 31.78 crore unorganised workers had registered as of 14 July 2026, according to the government. Many apps say they help their workers register too, but do check your own registration rather than assuming it's been done.

2. Keep your own record of working days. The 90-day and 120-day thresholds are counted per financial year. Apps keep records, but you should too. A simple note on your phone, or monthly screenshots of your earnings summary for each app, is enough. If you work on two or three apps, this matters even more, because the 120-day multi-app threshold depends on adding them up.

3. Look at schemes already linked to e-Shram. The government says 15 central schemes have been mapped to the e-Shram "One-Stop-Solution", including PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (accident insurance), PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (life insurance), Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and the PM Shram Yogi Maan-dhan pension scheme. Eligibility rules differ for each, so read them on the official pages before enrolling.

4. Keep your app account details accurate. Your name and Aadhaar details on the app should match. Mismatches are a common reason registrations and benefits fail later.

What this doesn't do

It's worth being clear, because there's a lot of confusing information on WhatsApp. Under this framework, gig and platform workers are not treated as employees of the app, so you don't automatically get PF, a fixed salary or paid leave. The detailed benefit schemes, such as what accident cover or health cover you'll get, depend on schemes the government notifies. Until a scheme is announced, nobody can tell you exact amounts. Be suspicious of anyone who charges money to "register you for gig worker benefits". Registration on e-Shram is free.

If you're considering gig work right now

Gig work can be a sensible bridge between jobs, or a way to earn during the festive peak. It's less suited as a long-term plan if you need predictable income. If you're weighing a temporary warehouse or delivery role, our guide on applying safely for festive season jobs explains the difference between being an employee, a contract worker and a gig worker. If you already have a full-time job and want to add gig work on the side, read our guide on side jobs and moonlighting first, because your employment contract may restrict it.

On CareerCola you can also look for regular employment in transportation and logistics or retail, where many roles come with PF and a fixed monthly salary. Check the employment type on each listing.

Finally, a word on safety: fake "delivery partner" recruitment and fee-for-onboarding scams are common. Real apps don't charge you to join. Our job safety page lists the warning signs.