The Ministry of Labour and Employment has unveiled comprehensive draft rules establishing eligibility criteria for gig and platform workers to access social security benefits under the Social Security Code 2020. Published on December 31, these rules introduce a structured framework requiring minimum work thresholds and mandatory registration processes. The initiative aims to extend social security coverage to India's growing gig economy workforce while ensuring systematic implementation through digital platforms.

Work Threshold Requirements

The draft Code on Social Security (Central) Rules, 2025 establishes specific minimum engagement periods that gig and platform workers must meet to qualify for social security benefits. The framework differentiates between single and multiple aggregator arrangements to accommodate diverse working patterns in the gig economy.

The rules specify that a worker is considered engaged for one day if they earn any income, regardless of amount, from work performed with an aggregator on that calendar day. For workers engaged with multiple aggregators, days are calculated cumulatively across all platforms. The Labour and Employment Ministry clarified that if a worker operates with three different aggregators on the same day, this counts as three separate engagement days.

Registration and Documentation Framework

All gig and platform workers aged 16 years and above must register on the designated government portal using Aadhaar and other prescribed documents. The registration process operates on a self-declaration basis under section 113 of the Code. Upon successful registration, workers receive digital or physical identity cards containing photographs and specified details, downloadable from the portal.

Workers must regularly update their particulars including address, occupation, mobile number, and skills as specified by the government. Failure to maintain current information may result in ineligibility for social security scheme benefits. Eligible workers include those engaged directly by aggregators or through associate companies, holding companies, subsidiaries, limited liability partnerships, or third parties.

Aggregator Obligations and Compliance

Aggregators bear significant responsibilities under the new framework, including quarterly data sharing and contribution management. They must electronically share details of engaged gig and platform workers on the government's designated portal at specified intervals. This includes workers engaged directly or through associate companies, holding companies, subsidiaries, limited liability partnerships, or third parties.

Upon rule commencement, aggregators must immediately share existing worker details for Universal Account Number generation. The rules establish a dedicated Social Security Fund with separate accounts for gig worker contributions. Aggregators failing to make timely contributions face a 1.00% monthly interest penalty on overdue amounts until full payment.

Implementation Timeline and Background

The Social Security Code 2020, along with three other labour codes, received notification on November 21, 2025. The draft rules are currently pre-published for stakeholder feedback, indicating the government's commitment to inclusive policy development. This regulatory framework represents a significant step toward formalizing social security coverage for India's expanding gig economy workforce.

The comprehensive approach addresses registration, eligibility, compliance, and enforcement mechanisms while establishing clear responsibilities for both workers and platform aggregators. The digital-first approach through designated government portals reflects modern administrative practices suited to the technology-driven gig economy sector.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has pre-published draft rules on the four labour codes covering wages, industrial relations, social security, and occupational safety, health and working conditions. This significant development seeks stakeholder feedback on regulations that will reshape India's labour landscape and represents a critical milestone in making the new labour laws fully operational across the country.

Four Labour Codes Framework

The draft rules pertain to four key legislative frameworks that will transform India's labour ecosystem:

The government has set an ambitious target to operationalise all four codes simultaneously from April 1, 2026, ensuring uniform implementation across the nation.

Stakeholder Consultation Process

The ministry has established specific timeframes for collecting feedback from various stakeholders:

This consultation process ensures that industry concerns and practical implementation challenges are addressed before the final rules are notified.

Industry Response and Implementation Pathway

Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, welcomed the development, stating that "the release of the draft rules under the four Labour Codes marks a key step in operationalising India's labour reforms." He emphasised that the rules will help industry prepare with confidence, simplify compliance, and support sustainable growth while strengthening worker protections.

Union Labour & Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had earlier indicated at CII IndiaEdge 2025 that draft rules would be pre-published shortly. The minister noted that while both central and state governments had previously pre-published draft rules, there was a need to bring them in sync with present times.

Social Security Expansion Goals

The government has set an ambitious target of providing social security coverage to 100.00 crore workers by March 2026, up from the existing 94.00 crore workers. This represents a significant expansion from the social security coverage that grew from 19.00% in 2015 to over 64.00% in 2025.

Key Provisions and Worker Benefits

The labour codes introduce several progressive provisions designed to enhance worker protection and rights:

Implementation Framework

Since labour is a concurrent subject under India's constitutional framework, both the Centre and state governments must notify rules under the four codes for complete enforcement across the country. States are currently in the process of formally publishing their respective rules to ensure synchronized implementation.

The enforcement of these codes is expected to mark a transformative step in India's labour ecosystem, broadening worker protection while easing business operations and promoting a pro-worker environment nationwide.