India has taken another step towards extending social security coverage to workers employed outside traditional employment arrangements. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, on 30 October 2026, notified the constitution of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig and Platform Workers under the Code on Social Security, 2020.
The Board will serve as an institutional mechanism for recommending welfare schemes, monitoring their implementation and advising the Central Government on matters relating to social security for unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers. It will bring together representatives from the Central and State Governments, aggregator companies, employers, civil society organisations, workers’ unions and associations representing gig and platform workers.
The notification is significant in the context of changes taking place in India’s labour market. Employment through digital platforms, delivery services, transportation applications and other flexible work arrangements has expanded the workforce beyond conventional employer-employee relationships. However, workers engaged in these activities may not have access to the same social security arrangements as employees in organised establishments.
The constitution of the Board provides an administrative framework to address these concerns. Its responsibilities include recommending suitable welfare measures, reviewing expenditure from relevant funds and accounts, and monitoring social security schemes administered by the Central Government.
Constitution
The National Social Security Board has been constituted under the provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020. The statutory framework provides for a dedicated Board to consider matters concerning the welfare and social security of unorganised workers.
The Ministry’s notification extends the Board’s institutional role to gig workers and platform workers in accordance with Section 114(6) of the Code. This provision states that the Board constituted under Section 6 will also function as the Board for the welfare of gig workers and platform workers, subject to the prescribed changes in its membership.
The Board’s composition reflects the involvement of multiple stakeholders in the social security framework. Representatives from government departments will participate alongside representatives of employers, aggregator companies, civil society organisations and worker associations.
This structure is intended to provide a forum where the concerns of different groups can be considered while formulating and reviewing welfare measures. The participation of aggregator companies and platform worker associations is particularly relevant because platform-based work involves employment arrangements that differ from conventional workplaces.
Leadership
The Union Minister for Labour and Employment will serve as the Chairperson of the National Social Security Board.
The Board will include representatives from the Central Government and State Governments, along with members representing employers, aggregator companies, civil society organisations and workers’ organisations.
The inclusion of gig and platform worker associations provides representation for people engaged in digital platform-based services. Their participation can help bring practical employment-related concerns into discussions about welfare schemes and their implementation.
The composition also recognises that social security measures require coordination between government authorities and other stakeholders. While the Central Government has an important role in framing schemes, State-level administration and the participation of relevant organisations can influence how effectively those schemes reach eligible workers.
Responsibilities
The Board will have several statutory and administrative responsibilities relating to social security for unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers.
Its principal functions include:
1. Recommending welfare schemes: The Board will recommend suitable social security schemes to the Central Government for different categories of unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers.
2. Providing policy advice: It will advise the Central Government on matters arising from the administration of the Code on Social Security, 2020, whenever such matters are referred to it.
3. Monitoring welfare schemes: The Board will monitor social welfare schemes administered by the Central Government for the concerned categories of workers.
4. Reviewing State-level records: It will examine record-keeping functions performed at the State level to assess administrative arrangements.
5. Reviewing expenditure: The Board will review expenditure from the relevant fund and account to examine the utilisation of financial resources.
6. Performing additional functions: It will undertake other responsibilities assigned by the Central Government.
These functions place the Board in an advisory and monitoring role. It will help the Central Government assess the requirements of different worker groups and review the progress of social security initiatives.
The Board’s role in reviewing expenditure is also relevant because the implementation of welfare schemes depends not only on their design but also on the appropriate use of available financial resources.
Meetings
The notification requires the National Social Security Board to meet at least three times every year. The meetings will be conducted in accordance with the rules of procedure prescribed by the Central Government for the transaction of business.
Regular meetings will provide an opportunity to examine the progress of welfare schemes and discuss matters connected with their administration. They will also allow the Board to review issues referred to it by the Central Government and make recommendations on areas requiring attention.
The requirement of at least three meetings annually establishes a regular schedule for the Board’s functioning. This is relevant because social security requirements can change as employment patterns, digital platforms and informal work arrangements develop.
During its meetings, the Board may consider the effectiveness of existing schemes, administrative challenges, financial utilisation and the need for additional welfare measures. Its recommendations can assist the Central Government in evaluating whether current arrangements adequately address the requirements of different categories of workers.
Legalbasis
The Code on Social Security, 2020 provides the statutory foundation for the constitution and functioning of the National Social Security Board.
Section 6 provides for the constitution of the National Social Security Board for unorganised workers. It establishes the institutional framework through which matters relating to social security for this category of workers can be considered.
Section 114 deals specifically with social security for gig workers and platform workers. Under Section 114(1), the Central Government is empowered to formulate and notify social security schemes for these categories of workers.
The schemes may cover several areas of protection, including:
- Life and disability protection.
- Accident insurance.
- Health benefits.
- Maternity benefits.
- Old-age protection.
- Crèche facilities.
- Other benefits determined by the Central Government.
Section 114(6) further provides that the National Social Security Board constituted under Section 6 will also function as the Board for the welfare of gig workers and platform workers, subject to the specified modifications in its membership.
This arrangement allows the same statutory institution to consider the social security requirements of unorganised workers as well as gig and platform workers. It also provides a common institutional framework for examining welfare measures across these categories.
The complete statutory text can be accessed through the Code on Social Security, 2020. The official Ministry of Labour and Employment website also provides information relating to labour legislation, government notifications and social security initiatives.
GigWorkers
The recognition of gig workers and platform workers under the Code is important because their employment arrangements are different from those traditionally found in organised establishments.
Gig workers generally undertake work or participate in income-generating activities outside a conventional employer-employee relationship. Their work may involve individual assignments, temporary engagements or service-based arrangements.
Platform workers are those who undertake work through online platforms that connect service providers with customers or users. Examples may include individuals providing transportation, food delivery, logistics and other digital services through applications and online marketplaces.
Although these categories may overlap, they represent distinct employment arrangements under the broader social security framework.
Workers engaged in such activities may face challenges relating to income continuity, insurance coverage, healthcare costs and retirement protection. The absence of conventional employment arrangements can also make access to established workplace benefits more difficult.
The Code seeks to address these concerns by providing a statutory basis for social security schemes specifically designed for gig workers and platform workers.
However, statutory recognition and the actual availability of benefits are separate aspects. The implementation of notified schemes, eligibility requirements, funding arrangements and administrative procedures will determine how workers access these protections.
EffectiveDate
The Code on Social Security, 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025. Its commencement brought the statutory framework for social security, including provisions relating to gig workers and platform workers, into operation.
The notification dated 30 October 2026 concerning the National Social Security Board is a subsequent institutional development under this framework.
The distinction between the commencement of the Code and the constitution of the Board is important. The Code establishes the legal provisions and powers relating to social security, while the Board provides an institutional mechanism for carrying out its assigned advisory and monitoring functions.
The Board’s constitution should therefore be understood as part of the continuing implementation of the statutory framework rather than as the introduction of a separate labour law.
For reference, the official e-Gazette of India portal provides access to government notifications and published statutory instruments.
Implementation
The effectiveness of the National Social Security Board will depend on how its recommendations and monitoring responsibilities translate into practical welfare measures.
One of its important tasks will be to identify the social security requirements of different groups of workers. Unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers do not necessarily have identical employment conditions or welfare needs. A scheme suitable for one category may not address the circumstances of another.
For this reason, the Board’s responsibility to recommend schemes for different sections of workers is particularly relevant.
Its monitoring function will also help the Central Government examine whether existing schemes are being implemented as intended. Regular assessments can identify administrative difficulties, gaps in coverage and issues affecting access to benefits.
Another important aspect is the review of State-level record-keeping functions. Social security administration involves the collection and maintenance of information about workers and the implementation of welfare programmes. Reviewing these processes can help authorities assess the quality of administrative records and improve coordination.
Financial oversight will also form part of the Board’s work. By reviewing expenditure from the relevant fund and account, the Board can examine the utilisation of resources allocated for social welfare purposes.
Nevertheless, the constitution of the Board does not by itself establish that every worker will automatically receive all the benefits listed under Section 114. The availability of particular benefits will depend on the schemes notified by the Central Government and the conditions specified under those schemes.
Significance
The constitution of the National Social Security Board has significance for India’s broader labour welfare framework.
First, it provides an institutional mechanism for considering the social security requirements of workers who may not be covered by conventional employment arrangements. This is particularly relevant as platform-based services and other forms of flexible work continue to form part of the labour market.
Second, the Board’s composition creates a formal platform for consultation between government representatives, employers, aggregator companies and worker organisations. Such participation can help policymakers consider different perspectives while developing welfare measures.
Third, its monitoring and expenditure-review responsibilities can support administrative accountability. Reviewing the implementation of schemes and the use of financial resources can help identify areas where improvements may be required.
Fourth, the Board’s role in recommending schemes for different worker categories provides scope for addressing varied social security requirements. Protection relating to health, maternity, accidents, disability and old age can be considered within the framework provided by the Code.
The Board also has a role in advising the Central Government on matters arising from the administration of the legislation. This may help authorities evaluate implementation-related issues and consider suitable policy responses.
However, the practical impact of these provisions will depend on the schemes notified, the availability of resources, the identification of eligible workers and the effectiveness of administrative arrangements.
Outlook
The National Social Security Board is expected to play an important role in coordinating social security measures for unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers. Its responsibilities cover policy recommendations, monitoring of welfare schemes, examination of State-level records and review of expenditure.
The statutory framework under the Code on Social Security, 2020 provides the legal basis for these responsibilities. The Board’s composition also creates an opportunity for government authorities, employers, aggregator companies and worker organisations to participate in discussions concerning social protection.
The key issue will be the implementation of welfare schemes and their accessibility to eligible workers. Regular meetings, effective monitoring and appropriate financial management will be important in assessing the progress of these initiatives. The constitution of the Board therefore represents an institutional step towards implementing the social security framework envisaged under the Code and extending welfare protection to India’s changing workforce.
