The Centre has issued comprehensive draft rules under the Social Security Code aimed at extending social security benefits to India's growing gig economy workforce. The proposed regulations establish clear eligibility criteria and implementation frameworks for bringing platform workers under formal social protection.

Eligibility Criteria for Social Security Benefits

The draft rules set specific minimum workday requirements for gig workers to qualify for social security benefits:

A worker will be considered engaged from the day they start earning income from an aggregator, regardless of the amount earned. Each calendar day generating income counts toward the eligibility threshold. For workers operating across multiple platforms simultaneously, days are counted cumulatively - meaning work done for three aggregators on the same day counts as three days toward meeting the requirement.

Registration and Implementation Framework

The rules mandate Aadhaar-linked registration for all gig and platform workers above 16 years of age. Aggregators will be required to share worker details on a central portal to generate universal account numbers for each registered worker. Every eligible worker will receive either a digital or physical identity card upon registration.

The worker database will be integrated with existing platforms including:

• e-Shram portal
• Ayushman Bharat scheme
• Other social security coverage programs

National Social Security Board Structure

The draft notification establishes a National Social Security Board with comprehensive responsibilities:

The board will include representatives from both unorganised workers and employers, ensuring stakeholder participation in policy development and implementation.

Benefit Cessation Conditions

Workers will cease to be eligible for benefits under two specific conditions:

• Upon reaching 60 years of age
• Failure to meet the 90/120-day engagement requirement in the previous fiscal year

These draft rules represent a significant step toward formalising social security coverage for India's expanding gig economy workforce, covering sectors including food delivery, ride-hailing, and e-commerce platforms.

The Indian government is reportedly exploring a potential relaxation of the restrictive Press Note 3 regulations, which could allow Chinese entities to invest up to 26% in Indian companies without obtaining control or board representation rights. This development represents a significant shift in India's foreign investment policy framework that has maintained strict oversight of Chinese investments in recent years.

Current Press Note 3 Framework

Press Note 3 currently mandates government approval for all investments from countries sharing land borders with India, effectively requiring prior clearance for Chinese investments regardless of the investment size or sector. The existing framework was designed to ensure enhanced scrutiny of such investments and maintain strategic control over critical sectors.

Proposed Policy Changes

The potential relaxation under consideration would introduce a threshold-based approach for Chinese investments. The key aspects of the proposed changes include:

Investment Structure Limitations

Under the proposed framework, Chinese investors would be restricted from exercising operational control or strategic influence over Indian companies. The 26% investment limit appears designed to ensure that Chinese entities remain minority stakeholders without decision-making authority or board positions.

Policy Implications

This potential policy shift could have several implications for foreign investment flows and business operations:

• Enhanced foreign capital access for Indian companies
• Streamlined approval processes for smaller Chinese investments
• Maintained strategic safeguards through control limitations
• Potential sector-specific variations in implementation

The proposed changes suggest the government's intent to balance economic growth objectives with national security considerations. By maintaining restrictions on control mechanisms while allowing financial participation, the framework aims to attract investment while preserving strategic autonomy.

Implementation Timeline

While the government is reportedly considering these changes, no official timeline or formal announcement has been made regarding the implementation of the revised Press Note 3 regulations. The actual policy modifications, if approved, would require detailed guidelines and sector-specific clarifications for effective implementation.