📊𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬_𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚🇮🇳

🔆 Majority of India’s Gig Workers Remain Outside Government Coverage 📍 Why in News? 🟢 The Union Budget 2025-26 announced healthcare coverage for gig workers registered on the e-Shram portal. 🟢 However, a significant gap remains between India’s estimated gig workforce and workers actually registered on the portal. 🟢 This raises concerns about the government’s ability to provide effective social security to India’s rapidly expanding gig and platform workforce. 📍 The Coverage Gap 🟢 NITI Aayog estimated India’s gig workforce at 77 lakh in 2020-21. 🟢 The estimate increased to 1.27 crore in 2024-25, with a projected 2.35 crore gig workers by 2029-30. 🟢 However, only 8.58 lakh gig workers were registered on the e-Shram portal as of January 2026. 🟢 This means five out of every six gig workers remain outside the government’s reach, based on current estimates. 📍 What is e-Shram? 🟢 The e-Shram portal is a national database created for unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers. 🟢 Registration is a prerequisite for accessing several government benefits. 🟢 The platform is intended to facilitate the delivery of social security and welfare schemes. 📍 Why is the Gap Significant? 🟢 The government lacks a dedicated mechanism to accurately measure the size of India’s gig workforce. 🟢 Official estimates rely on sources such as the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which may not fully capture the rapidly changing nature of gig work. 🟢 Large numbers of unregistered workers could therefore remain outside the reach of healthcare, insurance and other welfare benefits. 📍 Uneven Registration Across States 🟢 Gig-worker registrations on e-Shram are highly uneven across States. 🟢 Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar account for the highest number of registered gig workers. 🟢 Highly urbanised States such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Kerala do not figure among the top 10 States by registration. 🟢 This indicates gaps in awareness, outreach, registration and the identification of platform workers. 📍 Where are Gig Workers Concentrated? 🟢 The food industry accounts for the largest share of registered gig workers at 32.8%. 🟢 Automobile and transportation account for 25.4%. 🟢 Other major sectors include domestic and household work, construction and agriculture. 🟢 The pattern reflects the expanding role of digital platforms in sectors ranging from food delivery and mobility to household services. 📍 Why is Social Security Crucial? 🟢 Gig workers often lack traditional employer-employee relationships and therefore remain outside conventional social security systems. 🟢 Their income can be affected by algorithmic management, fluctuating demand and lack of employment security. 🟢 The Code on Social Security, 2020 recognises gig and platform workers, but the effective delivery of benefits remains a major challenge. 📍 Key Takeaway 🟢 The rapid growth of India’s gig economy is outpacing the government’s ability to identify and register its workers. 🟢 Social security cannot remain merely a policy announcement—it requires accurate data, universal registration, portability of benefits and effective last-mile delivery. 🔹 UPSC Mains Question: “India’s expanding gig economy has exposed the limitations of its traditional social security framework.” Examine the challenges faced by gig workers and suggest measures to ensure their effective social protection. #Economy