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E-Shram Card Registration Online 2026: Benefits, Eligibility & Apply Now

Pragya Pathak

Author

Updated: 18-04-2026 at 3:30 PM

Serving Over

500K+ Users

There are two main types of employment sectors in India, formal and informal. Formal or organised sector workers receive all kinds of employment-related benefits, like a pension after attaining the retirement age, insurance, healthcare, and many others; however, this is not the case for workers who are a part of informal or unorganised sectors, like construction workers, labourers, etc., as they never get access to such benefits. To address this long-standing issue, the Ministry of Labour and Employment introduced a card called the e-Shram card.

With the help of this card, people can reap innumerable benefits, such as accessing and applying for social welfare schemes, tracking the status of payments received through schemes, etc.

Read the article to learn the complete details on the e-Shram card 2026, ranging from its meaning and benefits to eligibility criteria and detailed application process, including information on common issues faced by people while applying for the card and integrated schemes connected with this special card for people in unorganised sectors.

E-Shram Card Overview

The table below summarises key details of an e Shram card 2026 that one should know about.

e-Shram card meaning	An official ID issued to workers in the unorganised sector.
Purpose	To create a unified database of workers working in the informal sector.
Eligibility	Workers between the ages of 16 and 59 years, not a member of EPFO or ESIC, and not eligible to pay any income tax.
UAN (Universal Account Number)	A 12-digit Universal Account Number, which is a unique identity allowing them to access a range of benefits.
Mode of application	Online via the e-Shram portal or offline through Common Service Centres.
Portability	Valid across India.

What Is An e-Shram Card?

An e-Shram card is a government-issued identification card for workers working in the unorganised sector. It was introduced by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to provide formal recognition and benefits to professionals who are a part of the informal sector, such as construction workers, street vendors, gig workers, labourers, etc. People with an e-Shram card receive a 12-digit Universal Account Number, which is a unique identity allowing them to access a range of benefits.

E Shram Card Benefits

An e-Shram card comes along with numerous benefits for people who possess it. Some of its major and popular benefits are described below in detailed points:

One of the most popular benefits of the e-Shram card is that it allows workers from the unorganised sector to access and apply for various related social welfare schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (an accidental insurance scheme) or the PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (monthly pension scheme) introduced by the central and state government authorities. With the help of the card and the online portal, cardholders can view the details of the schemes, check eligibility, and then apply based on their needs.
Another one of the benefits of the e-Shram card is its connection with national databases and systems like the National Career Service. This helps cardholders in checking employment opportunities across various sectors and secures a job with the assistance of the portal.
The e-Shram card and portal also allow workers to get access to various skill training programs under national missions like the Skill India Mission. With the help of the portal, people can check various training programs, apply for the ones they are interested in, and then use those skills to attract job opportunities.
One of the key advantages of the e-Shram card is its portability. Cardholders can easily migrate from one place to another without worrying about losing their benefits availed through the card and the e-Shram system. This is extremely helpful for migrant workers who frequently travel across India.

Eligibility Criteria For Obtaining An e Shram Card 2026

Individuals interested in applying for an e-Shram card are required to fulfil all the conditions of eligibility to successfully obtain one. The eligibility criteria of an e-Shram card 2026 are as follows:

Individuals should be between the ages of 16 and 59 years.
An individual must be a part of the unorganised sector.
Only people with a valid Aadhaar card linked to their mobile numbers can apply for the e-Shram card.
Approved categories of people that can apply for an e-Shram card are construction workers, agricultural labourers, street vendors, domestic workers, migrant workers, auto drivers, small shop employees, etc.

Exclusion Criteria

There is a pre-determined exclusion criterion related to obtaining an e-Shram card. The exclusion criteria are as follows:

If any of your family members receive a regular salary or are members of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation or the Employee State Insurance Corporation.
If you are an income taxpayer, you cannot apply for this government card.
People who are beneficiaries of other central or state government welfare schemes.

Also Read On Apply For Bina Mulya Samajik Suraksha Yojana

How To Apply For An e-Shram Card 2026?

One can apply for an e-Shram card through both online and offline platforms. The e shram card registration process for both means is broken down in steps for one’s better understanding and clarity.

Online Application Process

Step 1: Please visit the official website of the e-Shram (eshram.gov.in).

Step 2: On the homepage, you will find the ‘Register on E-Shram’ option under the ‘One Stop Solution’ tab. Click on it.

Step 3: Enter your mobile number (ensure that it is linked with your Aadhaar card) and select the appropriate option when asked about your EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) and ESCI (Employee State Insurance Corporation) member status. Validate using the One-Time Password (OTP) that you will receive on your mobile number via SMS.

Step 4: The next step will be to do Aadhaar-based electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification procedure. Once again, validate using the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

Step 5: Fill in the application form carefully and accurately. The form will ask you to enter your personal information, such as name, date of birth, address, educational qualification, occupation, skills, and banking information.

Step 6: Upload the scanned copies of all the required documents. Ensure they are in the prescribed size and format. Also, review all the information you filled in the form once before making the final submission.

Step 7: Select the self-declaration and then click on ‘Submit’.

Offline Application Process

The offline procedure of application of an e-Shram card is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) and request a staff member to assist you with the application process for an e-Shram card.

Step 2: Provide the staff member with all the information that they might need to generate an e-Shram card, like your full name, date of birth, address, educational qualification, etc.

Step 3: Provide them with the required copies of the needed documents.

Step 4: Recheck the details with the help of the staff member and then request them to make the final submission of the application form.

How To Check The Status Of The e-Shram Card?

After making the final submission of the application forms, applicants can also check the status of their respective applications. The steps of doing the same are mentioned below:

Step 1: Dial ‘14434’ from your registered mobile number. i.e., the number that is linked with your Aadhaar card.

Step 2: After dialling the above number, an automated voice will inform you about the current status of your application as either ‘Pending’ or ‘Approved’.

One can also check the status of their applications through the official website of the e-Shram card. Simply log into the portal using your credentials, choose the ‘status check’ option, enter the required information, and that’s all. The system will display to you the application status.

How To Download An e-Shram Card?

As soon as the application is approved, an applicant can download soft copies of their e-Shram card through various methods. All the methods of e shram card download are described below in brief for one’s clarity:

Downloading via Aadhaar number: Visit the official e-Shram portal website, log in with your Aadhaar number, and validate with the OTP. After logging in, the system will require you to fill in identifying information for downloading the card. Select ‘Aadhaar number’ again, enter the Aadhaar number, and after that, the card will get stored in your device in PDF format.
e-Shram card download via mobile number: Visit the official website of your e-Shram portal and log in using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. After entering your profile, navigate to the ‘Download e-Shram card’ option. The card will be generated and displayed on your screen. Save it on your device.
Downloading the e-Shram card through UAN number: Visit the official website of your e-Shram portal, and then choose the ‘Log in via UAN number’ option. You will be required to enter your Universal Account Number and date of birth, and then enter your profile using the OTP sent to your mobile number. After logging in to your profile, click on the ‘Download UAN Card’ option. The card will be generated and displayed on your screen. Save it on your device.

How To Check e-Shram Card Payment Status?

The authorities have also taken into account people’s need to check the status of the payment to be received through the e-Shram card and, therefore, created a specific way of doing the same. The steps of checking the e-Shram card payment status are described below in brief:

Step 1: Please visit the official website of the e-Shram (eshram.gov.in) and log in to the portal using your credentials or your mobile number.

Step 2: After logging in, navigate to the option related to ‘Check Payment Status’ or ‘Know Your Payment’ and click on it.

Step 3: Enter your e-Shram card number, UAN number, or Aadhaar number and then click on ‘Submit’. The system will display the status of your e-Shram card payment.

How To Check Balance In An e-Shram Card?

One can also check the balance in their e-Shram cards by following an extremely simple online process. The process of e shram card balance check is as follows:

Step 1: Please visit the official website of the e-Shram portal and log in to your profile using your credentials or mobile number. If you select the mobile number option, fill in your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and then validate using the OTP that you will receive on your number.

Step 2: Go to the ‘My Account’ section and then click on the option concerning ‘Check Balance’, after which the system will show you the current balance in your e-Shram card.

What Are The Documents Required For An e Shram Card 2026?

Applicants are required to attach or upload some supporting documents to complete the application process for an e-Shram card. The list of those documents is as follows:

Proof of ID, like an Aadhaar card.
Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Bank account details.
Proof of address, like utility bills.
Others, as mentioned in the portal.

How To Update Or Correct Details In An e Shram Card 2026?

Cardholders can also opt for the option of updating or correcting information, like mobile number, bank-related details, address, or others in their existing e-Shram cards. The process of doing the same is as follows:

Step 1: Please visit the official website of the e-Shram portal.

Step 2: Log in to your account using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number or UAN and validate using the OTP sent to your phone.

Step 3: After logging in to your e-Shram account, visit the specific section that you would like to update or correct, such as ‘Mobile Update’, ‘Update Bank Details’, ‘Address Update’, etc.

Step 4: Enter the new details that should reflect in your account in place of the old. Double-check everything before submitting and then click on ‘Submit’.

Difference Between An E-Shram Card & A Labour Card

People have this misconception that an e-Shram and a labour card are the same; however, they are different. The differences between them are laid out below in a tabular format:

Component	E-Shram card	Labour Card
Issued by	Ministry of Labour and Employment.	By state government labour departments.
Linked to which database?	NDUW (National Database of Unorganised Workers).	Linked to State Labour Welfare Boards.
Covers	Unorganised workers.	Covers specifically construction workers or other specific professions under the unorganised sector, not the whole sector.
Eligibility criteria	Unorganised workers between the ages of 16 to 59 years, non-EPFO or ESIC.	Varies from one state government to another.
Scope based on geography	Nationwide.	State-specific.
Registered through	Online via the e-Shram portal or offline through CSCs.	Online via state government websites or offline through the labour departments of the state.
Major benefits	Concerning financial aid, insurance, etc.	Concerning pension, maternity, education aid, etc.

Also Read On Gambhir Bimari Sahayata Yojana- Ensuring Health Security For Construction Workers In Uttar Pradesh

Common Issues Concerning The e-Shram Card Application & Their Fixes

The authorities have tried to create a straightforward application process and related procedures so that people from all backgrounds can do it. However, nothing is perfect, and in reality, people face a range of issues when accessing the e-Shram portal.

Note that many of the issues are just errors made by people. And therefore, we have made a compact list of errors or issues that most people face and their solutions, so that you can access the online portal without much difficulty:

One of the most common errors is not linking one’s Aadhaar card with one’s mobile number. When applying for an e-Shram card, it is imperative to enter only the mobile number that is linked to one’s Aadhaar card; otherwise, the application won’t proceed as OTP validation is a mandate. Please check if your mobile number is linked or not, and if not, first link your mobile number with your Aadhaar and then begin the application for an e-Shram card.
Another one of the common errors made by people is incorrect filling of information, such as date of birth, occupation, educational qualification, etc. These errors would lead to unnecessary delays or, worse, complete rejection of applications. Hence, ensure to enter correct information and review the application once before making the final submission to reduce the chances of errors.
When applying for an e-Shram card, applicants are required to select their occupations from a dropdown list. The list contains many occupations in the unorganised sector, which can be confusing for many. Please select your occupation without making any errors, as that can be a possible rejection of the application as well.
If you are planning to apply for a government scheme that provides financial aid through the e-Shram portal, you won’t be able to receive the benefits if your bank account is not linked to your Aadhaar card. This is because the payments sent to beneficiaries of a govt scheme follow the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, which cannot function smoothly without this linking. Therefore, we urge you to link both these things to receive your financial aid smoothly.

Integration Of e-Shram Card With Other Government Schemes

The e-Shram card and the whole e-Shram system do not operate on their own, it operates in partnership with other national systems, databases, and government schemes. The whole reason for doing so is to create just one unified portal through which all the related functions can be done by workers working in the unorganised sector.

Some of the schemes and systems that it is linked to are described below in brief:

Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PMSYM): The PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana is a government scheme that was launched by the government of India, especially for the benefit of people between the ages of 18 and 40 years engaged in the unorganised sector for earning their livelihood. The main benefit that this scheme provides to its beneficiaries is the monthly pension worth Rs 3000, which people can enjoy after they reach the age of 60 years. The scheme is now connected to the e-Shram Portal, which means that eligible people can now easily apply for it using their Universal Account Numbers.
Skill India Digital Portal: The e-Shram card is now also connected to the Skill India Digital platform, which would now help workers in accessing various skill training programs and applying for them.
National Career Service: As the name suggests, National Career Service allows people to check various job opportunities so that they can apply for them and secure employment. The e-shram portal is also linked with this service database for people’s benefit.

Also Read On Shramik Parivahan Yojana- Eligibility Criteria And Application Process

Conclusion

An E-shram card is not just another document but a protective shield and sword for workers working in the unorganised sector. It was introduced by the government to not only provide a platform through which workers can avail of various benefits, like applying for related government schemes, but also to recognise the efforts of such professionals who are continuing their work and contributing to India's development without any form of appreciation.

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