The Central Government has notified the constitution of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig & Platform Workers, marking an important step towards strengthening social security protection for India’s growing gig economy.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment announced the constitution of the Board on October 30, 2026, under the provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
The Board will be chaired by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment and include representatives from Central and State Governments, aggregator companies, employers, civil society organisations, workers’ unions and associations representing gig and platform workers.
The newly constituted Board will recommend, advise and monitor welfare schemes for gig workers and platform workers, including people engaged in app-based food delivery, e-commerce deliveries, ride-hailing services and other digital platform-based occupations.
The development is significant because millions of Indians work through digital platforms without necessarily enjoying the conventional employment-related social security protections available to regular employees.
National Social Security Board: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Board Name | National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig & Platform Workers |
| Announced By | Ministry of Labour and Employment |
| Notification Date | October 30, 2026 |
| Legal Framework | Code on Social Security, 2020 |
| Chairperson | Union Minister for Labour and Employment |
| Members | Government representatives, aggregators, employers, workers’ unions and civil society |
| Main Objective | Social security and welfare of gig and platform workers |
| Meetings | At least three times a year |
| Important Functions | Recommend, advise and monitor welfare schemes |
| Relevant Provisions | Sections 6 and 114 of the Code on Social Security, 2020 |
What Is the National Social Security Board for Gig Workers?
- The National Social Security Board is a statutory institutional mechanism established under the Code on Social Security, 2020.
- Its primary objective is to strengthen the social security framework for unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers.
- The Board will act as an institutional platform bringing together government representatives, digital aggregators, employers, workers’ associations and other stakeholders to develop and monitor welfare policies.
- It will focus on identifying the social security requirements of different categories of workers and recommending suitable welfare schemes to the Central Government.
The Board will also review the implementation of existing social welfare schemes and examine expenditure from relevant funds and accounts.
Who Will Be the Members of the National Social Security Board?
The Board will be chaired by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment.
Its composition includes representatives from:
- Central Government.
- State Governments.
- Aggregator companies operating digital platforms.
- Employers.
- Civil society organisations.
- Workers’ unions.
- Associations representing gig and platform workers.
The composition is intended to provide representation to different stakeholders involved in India’s growing platform economy.
The Board will meet at least three times every year to review issues and deliberate on social security measures.
Six Important Functions of the National Social Security Board
According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Board will perform the following functions:
1. Recommend Welfare Schemes
The Board will recommend suitable social security schemes for different categories of unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers to the Central Government.
2. Advise the Central Government
It will advise the government on matters related to the administration and implementation of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
3. Monitor Social Welfare Schemes
The Board will monitor social welfare schemes administered by the Central Government for eligible unorganised, gig and platform workers.
4. Review State-Level Record Keeping
It will examine record-keeping functions performed at the State Government level to strengthen monitoring and implementation.
5. Review Expenditure
The Board will review expenditure from relevant social security funds and accounts.
6. Perform Additional Assigned Functions
It will undertake other responsibilities assigned by the Central Government from time to time.
What Social Security Benefits Are Envisaged for Gig Workers?
The Code on Social Security, 2020, provides a framework for the Central Government to introduce welfare schemes for gig and platform workers.
Under Section 114, such schemes may cover:
| Social Security Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Life Insurance | Financial protection in case of death |
| Disability Cover | Financial assistance in cases of disability |
| Accident Insurance | Protection against occupational accidents |
| Health Benefits | Access to healthcare-related support |
| Maternity Benefits | Social protection for eligible women workers |
| Old-Age Protection | Financial security during old age |
| Crèche Facilities | Childcare-related support |
| Other Benefits | Additional benefits notified by the government |
Important: These are categories of benefits provided for under the legal framework. The notification constituting the Board does not automatically grant every gig worker these benefits. Their actual availability depends on the specific welfare schemes notified by the government.
How Will Gig Workers and Platform Workers Be Covered?
The Code on Social Security, 2020, formally recognises gig workers and platform workers as distinct categories.
Gig Workers:
- A gig worker is a person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside a traditional employer-employee relationship.
- Examples include independent delivery partners, freelance professionals and workers engaged in flexible work arrangements.
Platform Workers:
A platform worker is a person engaged in work through or with an online platform.
Examples include:
- Food delivery partners.
- E-commerce delivery partners.
- App-based taxi and bike taxi drivers.
- Online service providers.
- Digital marketplace-based workers.
The distinction is important because the nature of work, engagement and payment arrangements can differ between gig workers and platform workers.
Which Companies Are Associated with India’s Gig Economy?
India’s digital platform economy includes several major companies operating across different sectors.
| Sector | Examples of Platforms |
|---|---|
| Food Delivery | Zomato, Swiggy |
| Quick Commerce | Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart |
| Ride-Hailing | Ola, Uber, Rapido |
| E-commerce | Amazon, Flipkart |
| Home Services | Urban Company |
| Logistics | Porter and other digital logistics platforms |
These companies represent different segments of the platform economy and the types of work arrangements covered by the broader gig economy framework.
What Is the Code on Social Security, 2020?
- The Code on Social Security, 2020, is one of India’s four Labour Codes introduced to consolidate and rationalise existing labour laws.
- It aims to extend social security protection to different categories of workers, including employees, unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers.
- The Code provides a legal framework for social security schemes covering areas such as provident funds, employee insurance, gratuity, maternity benefits and welfare measures for unorganised and platform-based workers.
Important Sections Related to Gig Workers
| Section | Provision |
|---|---|
| Section 6 | Constitution of National Social Security Board |
| Section 109 | Schemes for unorganised workers |
| Section 111 | Record keeping |
| Section 112 | Helpline and facilitation centres |
| Section 113 | Registration of unorganised, gig and platform workers |
| Section 114 | Social security schemes for gig and platform workers |
| Section 141 | Social Security Fund |
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