National Social Security Board for Gig Workers 2026: Composition, Functions and Code Provisions

What happened

On 30 October 2026, the Ministry of Labour & Employment announced through PIB that it has notified the constitution of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and for Gig & Platform Workers under the Code on Social Security, 2020.

The Board will be presided over by the Union Minister for Labour & Employment. Its members are drawn from the Central and State Governments, aggregator companies, employers, civil society organisations, workers' unions and gig and platform worker associations. It must meet at least three times a year, following rules of procedure prescribed by the Central Government. The Ministry described the step as part of integrating digital gig and platform workers into India's formal welfare system.

Background

• The Code on Social Security, 2020 is one of the four Labour Codes, which together rationalise 29 earlier labour laws. All four were made effective from 21 November 2025.
• The Code gives legal definitions of gig worker, platform worker and aggregator, groups that older laws such as the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 did not cover (PIB, Dec 2025).
• Section 6 of the Code provides for a National Social Security Board for unorganised workers. Section 114(6) says the same Board will act as the Board for gig and platform workers, with a changed membership for those matters.
• Unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers, register on the e-Shram portal, which completed five years in August 2026.

Key details

Under Section 6, nominations must give adequate representation to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities and women.

Functions (as listed by the Ministry):

1. Recommend schemes for different categories of unorganised, gig and platform workers.
2. Advise the Centre on matters referred to it under the Code.
3. Monitor the Centre's welfare schemes for these workers.
4. Review record-keeping done at the State level.
5. Review expenditure from the fund and account.
6. Perform other functions assigned by the Centre.

Funding link: Under Section 114(4), aggregators in notified categories contribute 1–2% of annual turnover (excluding taxes paid to the Centre), but not more than 5% of the amount paid or payable to gig and platform workers. Under Section 114(5), the Centre notifies the date from which this contribution starts. The money goes to a Social Security Fund that finances welfare schemes for these workers (PIB, Dec 2025). Under Section 114(3), schemes may also be funded by the Centre, the States, CSR funds under the Companies Act, 2013, or other sources.

e-Shram data (PIB backgrounder, 25 August 2026): 31.89 crore registrations as on 18 August 2026, about 11.5 lakh gig and platform workers registered, and 15 schemes linked on the One-Stop Solution.

Why it matters

• Institution for a new workforce: gig and platform workers get a statutory forum where their representatives sit with aggregators and governments to shape schemes.
• Scheme design: the Code allows schemes on life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits and old-age protection; the Board is the body that recommends them.
• Oversight: the Board reviews State-level record-keeping and fund spending, which supports accountability.
• Portability: the Labour Ministry has said (PIB, Nov 2025) that an Aadhaar-linked Universal Account Number will keep benefits portable across States, which matters for migrant delivery and cab workers.

Issues and criticism

• Funding burden: Reacting to the draft Social Security Rules in January 2026, Nitesh Kumar Das of the Gig Workers Association (GigWA) told The Tribune that the government must commit public money alongside platform contributions, and that road safety, long hours and insurance exclusions remain unaddressed.
• Real gains depend on implementation: Nirmal Gorana of the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) told the same paper there was "nothing new" in the draft and that the focus should be on implementation.
• Cost for platforms: Inc42 reported that the Board could add financial and administrative obligations for platform companies.
• Enrolment: PIB data show about 11.5 lakh gig and platform workers registered on e-Shram, a small fraction of the portal's 31.89 crore total registrations, so coverage under any scheme will depend on wider registration.

Way forward

• Notify the start date and rates of aggregator contributions so the Social Security Fund has steady money.
• Hold the mandated three meetings a year and publish recommendations.
• Push gig worker registration on e-Shram, with platforms sharing worker data.
• Coordinate with State boards, such as Karnataka's Gig Workers' Welfare Board (reported by Inc42), to avoid overlap.

Prelims pointers

• The Board is constituted under the Code on Social Security, 2020.
• Chair: Union Minister for Labour & Employment.
• Must meet at least thrice a year.
• Section 6 creates the Board; Section 114(6) makes it the Board for gig and platform workers.
• Statutory strength under Section 6: 43 members.
• Aggregator levy: 1–2% of annual turnover, capped at 5% of payouts to gig/platform workers.
• Four Labour Codes effective from 21 November 2025.
• e-Shram: 31.89 crore registrations (18 August 2026).

One-liners for SSC, Banking and Railways

• National Social Security Board for gig workers is chaired by the Union Labour Minister.
• Parent ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment.
• e-Shram registrations crossed 31.89 crore as of 18 August 2026.
• About 11.5 lakh gig and platform workers are registered on e-Shram.
• Aggregators pay into a Social Security Fund for gig and platform workers.

Revise this and the week's other stories with the weekly current affairs quiz, and see the syllabus on the SSC CGL page.

Mains practice question

Q. The Code on Social Security, 2020 recognises gig and platform workers but leaves their welfare to schemes yet to be framed. Examine the role of the National Social Security Board in closing this gap. (150 words)

Points to cover:

• Definitions in the Code and why older labour laws excluded gig workers.
• Composition and functions of the Board under Sections 6 and 114(6).
• Funding through the aggregator levy and the Social Security Fund; concerns raised by worker groups.
• Steps such as e-Shram enrolment, portability and Centre–State coordination.