The eShram card is a free government ID for unorganised-sector workers in India, issued through the eShram portal run by the Ministry of Labour & Employment. You register once with your Aadhaar and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number, and you receive a Universal Account Number (UAN) that stays with you for life.
What is eShram and the UAN?
eShram is India’s national database for unorganised-sector workers. It was built to give factory hands, gig workers, construction labourers, farm workers, and millions of others a formal record of who they are and what work they do.
When you register, you get an eShram card printed with a 12-digit Universal Account Number, the UAN. This number does not change if you switch jobs, cities, or employers. It is your permanent worker ID and the key the government uses to connect you to social-security schemes.
Think of it as a single record that follows you through your working life, no matter how many shifts or factories you move between.
Who is eligible?
eShram is meant for workers in the unorganised sector, which covers most people who are not on a formal company payroll with EPF or ESI. You can register if you:
- Are between 16 and 59 years old
- Work in the unorganised sector, including factory shift workers, gig and platform workers, construction and site workers, agricultural workers, domestic workers, drivers, street vendors, and many others
- Are not already a member of EPFO or ESIC, and not an income-tax payer
If you do daily-wage, contract, or shift-based work without formal benefits, you are almost certainly eligible.
Documents you need
Registration is quick because it asks for very little. Keep these ready:
- An Aadhaar-linked mobile number. This is the most important item. The portal sends an OTP to the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar to verify you.
- Your Aadhaar number.
- A bank account (account number and IFSC code) so any benefits can be paid directly to you.
You do not need to upload piles of paperwork. If your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar, most of your details are pulled in automatically.
How to register: step by step
You can register yourself for free, or get help at a nearby centre.
Option A: Self-registration on the eShram portal
- Go to the official eShram portal (eshram.gov.in).
- Choose the self-registration option and enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Enter the OTP sent to that mobile number to verify it.
- Your basic details are fetched from Aadhaar. Fill in the remaining fields: your work or occupation, address, and bank account details.
- Review everything, submit, and download your eShram card with your UAN.
Option B: A nearest Common Service Centre (CSC)
If you do not have a smartphone or prefer help, visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC). An operator will complete the registration for you. Carry your Aadhaar and bank details. This service is also free.
Why the eShram card matters
The eShram card puts you on the government’s official record of workers. Being in that database is what connects you to social-security and welfare schemes aimed at unorganised-sector workers. Because your UAN is permanent, your record stays intact even as you change employers.
We do not list specific scheme amounts here, because those are set by the government and can change. What stays true is simple: you cannot receive worker benefits you were never counted for, and eShram is how you get counted.
How being eShram-verified helps you get more shift work
An eShram card also signals something to employers: you are a real, documented worker with a verifiable identity. That trust matters when a factory is deciding who to bring in for a shift.
On SuperGig, workers are eShram + KYC verified. That verification is a big part of why verified employers on SuperGig are comfortable offering shifts to workers they have not met before. Your verified profile does the vouching for you, so you spend less time proving yourself and more time working.
If you already have your eShram card, you are one step ahead when you find factory shifts on the platform.
Frequently asked questions
Is eShram registration free?
Yes. Registering for an eShram card is completely free, whether you do it yourself on the portal or through a Common Service Centre. No one should charge you for the registration itself.
Do I need a bank account?
Yes, you provide a bank account so that any benefits can be paid straight to you. Keep your account number and IFSC code handy during registration.
Can I register without a smartphone?
Yes. If you do not have a smartphone, go to your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) and an operator will register you. You still need an Aadhaar-linked mobile number to receive the verification OTP.
Does eShram replace EPF or ESI?
No. eShram is a separate national database for unorganised-sector workers and does not replace EPFO or ESIC. In fact, active EPF or ESI members are meant to use those schemes rather than register on eShram.
Ready to put your card to work?
Once you have your eShram card and UAN, verification on trusted platforms becomes much easier. Find factory shifts on SuperGig and let your verified status help you get picked for more work.