India’s gig economy is taking a major step toward formal recognition. India’s gig economy is moving closer to formal recognition as the government has reportedly asked major digital platforms, including Swiggy, Zomato and Uber, to ensure the registration of their gig workers by June 21. The directive is part of a broader effort to create a national database of platform workers and extend social security benefits to millions of people working in the rapidly growing gig economy.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has directed all online aggregators to complete onboarding and API integration on the eShram portal by 21 June 2026, warning that non-compliance may attract penalties under Section 133 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. On 1 June 2026, the Ministry of Labour & Employment issued a directive regarding the mandatory onboarding of online aggregators on the eShram portal. This initiative aims to strengthen social security coverage for workers in the platform economy, especially gig and platform workers, by integrating them into a formal framework.
“Registeration on the e-SHRAM portal just got easier, catch a quick glimpse of the hassle-free registration process. Explore the portal in your preferred language and access all the important information. Visit now: eshram.gov.in #MoLE #LabourWelfare #eShram”~Ministry of Labour & Employment, GoI
15 Aggregators Already Onboarded: Who Still Needs To Comply
The mandate does not apply equally to all platforms, and a major portion of the business has already complied. The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment stated that major platforms including Zomato, Blinkit, Swiggy, Uber, Ola, Rapido, Amazon, Zepto, Urban Company, and Porter had already merged with the system. Other aggregators have been requested to comply by June 21.
The eShram portal serves as a centralized platform where unorganized workers are registered and provided a Universal Account Number to access benefits. To facilitate aggregator participation, the Ministry launched a dedicated Aggregator Module on 12 December 2024 for streamlined onboarding on the eShram portal. The onboarding and API integration process is already underway, and 15 major aggregators, including Zomato, Blinkit, Swiggy, Uber, Ola, Rapido, Amazon, Zepto, Urban Company, and Porter have completed their integration ahead of the deadline.
The government has also asked companies to connect their systems directly with the e-Shram portal through API integration. This will allow worker information to be shared securely and efficiently, making registration and verification easier for both workers and platform companies.
“A Step Forward in Empowering Workers Digitally! Integration of eShram with DigiLocker empowers workers to store and download their UAN card digitally—no paper, no hassle. #LabourMinistryIndia #MoLE”~Ministry of Labour & Employment, GoI
The Legal Foundation: Code On Social Security And The 45-Day Data-Sharing Rule
This registration push is not a solo announcement; it is part of a larger legislative framework that has been developing for years. The Code on Social Security, 2020, went into effect on November 21, 2025, and empowers the Central Government to create social security programs for such personnel. Furthermore, according to Rule 48(2) of the Social Security Rules, 2026, aggregators must electronically exchange worker-related data with the government within 45 days of the Rules’ initiation.
The recent labour reforms mark a landmark change for India’s workforce, dramatically improving conditions for all workers, including gig & platform workers. The legislation proposes social security provisions to gig workers in India, such as life insurance, accident cover, health benefits and old-age cover. It also requires aggregators such as Swiggy, Zomato, and Uber to donate 1-2% of their turnover to a welfare fund.
The e-Shram portal serves as a national registry for unorganised workers, including delivery personnel, drivers and freelancers. The initiative supports the implementation of the Code on Social Security, 2020, aimed at extending welfare benefits and improving worker coverage.
What This Means For Workers And For Platforms Facing Penalties:
For the millions of gig workers across India’s delivery, ride-hailing, and logistics ecosystem, this registration drive represents a tangible shift from informal, undocumented work toward a system that the government can use to extend benefits. The move is expected to impact food delivery partners, ride-hailing drivers, logistics workers and other individuals who earn income through digital platforms. Authorities are working to create a comprehensive database that can be used to identify eligible beneficiaries for future social security schemes. Gig workers have traditionally operated outside many of the protections available to formally employed workers, including insurance, pension benefits, and other welfare measures.
Digital platforms including Swiggy, Zomato, Uber, and Zepto must register their gig workforce on the government’s eShram portal by June 21, 2026. This directive formalizes data tracking for future social security benefits. Investors are monitoring this for potential compliance costs and the long-term impact on the operating models of major delivery and transport aggregators.
Companies including Swiggy, Zomato and Uber are among the most visible participants in the gig economy, collectively engaging hundreds of thousands of workers across the country. Registration is expected to help authorities better understand the size, distribution and employment patterns of the gig workforce. For platforms still working through the onboarding process, the clock is now ticking — and with penalty provisions under the Code on Social Security explicitly invoked, the June 21 date is being treated less as a target and more as a firm regulatory line.
