The number of platform workers registered on the Government of India's eShram portal has crossed 10.83 lakh as of July 19, according to information presented in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje. The latest data highlights a significant rise in enrolment during 2025, indicating increasing participation by workers engaged in the country's expanding gig and platform economy.
The eShram portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to create a comprehensive national database of workers in the unorganised sector. The initiative is intended to improve the identification of workers, facilitate access to welfare schemes, and support the development of policies aimed at strengthening social security for millions of people employed outside the formal workforce.
According to the figures shared in Parliament, registrations witnessed remarkable growth in 2025. More than 4.58 lakh platform workers enrolled on the portal during the year, representing a substantial increase compared with previous years. In 2023, the portal recorded 23,746 registrations, while 25,255 workers registered during 2024. The sharp rise in enrolments during 2025 suggests growing awareness of the platform among workers and greater participation in the government's registration initiative.
Platform workers form an important part of India's digital economy. They include individuals who provide services through online platforms such as food delivery, ride-hailing, logistics, home services, freelance digital work, and other app-based employment. The rapid expansion of digital platforms has significantly increased employment opportunities, making the welfare and social security of these workers an important public policy priority.
The eShram portal serves as a centralized database that enables the government to collect information about workers employed in various sectors of the unorganised economy. The data helps authorities understand employment trends, identify workers eligible for welfare programmes, and formulate targeted policies based on reliable information.
Officials have stated that maintaining an updated database of platform workers is an important step toward expanding social protection measures. Accurate registration data can assist governments in planning future welfare initiatives, emergency assistance programmes, skill development schemes, and employment-related policy interventions designed for workers in the gig economy.
The increase in registrations also reflects broader efforts to encourage workers to become part of the national database through awareness campaigns and simplified registration procedures. As more workers enroll, policymakers are expected to gain a better understanding of the size and diversity of India's platform workforce.
Labour experts have observed that the gig economy continues to grow rapidly as technology-based services become more integrated into everyday life. This trend has created new income opportunities for millions of workers while also raising important discussions regarding employment security, social protection, insurance coverage, and access to government welfare benefits.
The government has consistently emphasized the importance of extending social security coverage to workers in the unorganised sector. Initiatives such as the eShram portal are viewed as foundational steps toward developing inclusive labour policies that recognize the changing nature of employment in the digital economy.
With registrations continuing to rise, the eShram portal is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping labour welfare programmes and policy decisions. The expanding database is likely to support future efforts to improve working conditions, strengthen social security systems, and ensure that platform workers receive appropriate recognition within India's evolving employment landscape.