Home / Current Issue / Paper 1724860
Digital Transformation of Labor Welfare and Social Security Policies in India: An Analysis of Social Security Cards
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Labour Studies
DOI: 10.64388/ire1724860
Abstract
India’s labour market includes a large population of workers in informal, temporary, migrant, construction, self-employed, gig and platform occupations. For these workers, access to welfare programmes has historically been affected by fragmented records, mobility, lack of awareness and complex administrative procedures. Digital transformation is changing this delivery environment by creating interoperable databases, digital identities, online registration, electronic authentication and integrated service platforms. This paper analyses the role of social security cards and digital worker identification, with particular focus on the e-Shram portal. The study uses a descriptive and analytical review of government documents and international literature. e-Shram creates a National Database of Unorganised Workers and provides a digital identity through which workers can be connected with welfare and social-security schemes. The paper argues that digital identification can improve portability, targeting, record management and awareness, but registration alone does not guarantee effective coverage. Digital exclusion, data privacy, cyber security, language barriers, inaccurate records and limited digital literacy remain important challenges. The paper recommends assisted digital access, regular data updating, strong privacy safeguards, multilingual services, interoperability and outcome-based monitoring. Digital systems should therefore complement, rather than replace, accessible physical institutions and worker-centred welfare administration.
Keywords
Labour welfare; social security; digital transformation; e-Shram; social security cards; unorganised workers; digital governance; India
References
[1] Government of India (2020). The Code on Social Security, 2020. Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, New Delhi.
[2] International Labour Organization (ILO) (2024). World social protection report 2024–26: Universal social protection for climate action and a just transition. ILO, Geneva.
[3] International Labour Organization (ILO) (2026). ILO global flagship programme on building social protection floors for all: Strategy for the third phase (2026–30). ILO, Geneva.
[4] Ministry of Labour & Employment (2025). Annual report 2024–25. Government of India, New Delhi.
[5] Ministry of Labour & Employment (2026a). About e-Shram portal. Government of India, New Delhi.
[6] Ministry of Labour & Employment (2026b). e-Shram: National database of unorganised workers. Government of India, New Delhi.
How to cite this paper
@article{1724860,
author = {Naveen Kumar M},
title = {Digital Transformation of Labor Welfare and Social Security Policies in India: An Analysis of Social Security Cards},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {5},
pages = {1433-1438},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1724860.pdf},
abstract = {India’s labour market includes a large population of workers in informal, temporary, migrant, construction, self-employed, gig and platform occupations. For these workers, access to welfare programmes has historically been affected by fragmented records, mobility, lack of awareness and complex administrative procedures. Digital transformation is changing this delivery environment by creating interoperable databases, digital identities, online registration, electronic authentication and integrated service platforms. This paper analyses the role of social security cards and digital worker identification, with particular focus on the e-Shram portal. The study uses a descriptive and analytical review of government documents and international literature. e-Shram creates a National Database of Unorganised Workers and provides a digital identity through which workers can be connected with welfare and social-security schemes. The paper argues that digital identification can improve portability, targeting, record management and awareness, but registration alone does not guarantee effective coverage. Digital exclusion, data privacy, cyber security, language barriers, inaccurate records and limited digital literacy remain important challenges. The paper recommends assisted digital access, regular data updating, strong privacy safeguards, multilingual services, interoperability and outcome-based monitoring. Digital systems should therefore complement, rather than replace, accessible physical institutions and worker-centred welfare administration.},
keywords = {Labour welfare; social security; digital transformation; e-Shram; social security cards; unorganised workers; digital governance; India},
month = {November},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/ire1724860}
}