The Code on Social Security 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025, recognising gig and platform workers for the first time in Indian statute. Discuss the design and the recognition-versus-delivery gap.
Subtopic: Social Justice · Human Resources
How to structure your answer
Introduction: The Code on Social Security 2020 was notified into force on 21 November 2025, consolidating nine social-security laws and naming 'gig worker' and 'platform worker' as statutory categories for the first time.
Body: Three dimensions — (i) Architecture: Section 2(35) defines gig worker; Section 141 mandates a Social Security Fund financed by aggregator contributions (1-2 percent of turnover or 5 percent of payouts), with e-Shram as the unified registry (31.38 crore registered by 27 November 2025); (ii) Scale: about 90 percent of India's workforce is informal contributing nearly 50 percent of GDP; NITI Aayog (2022) projects gig workforce will reach 2.35 crore by 2029-30 from 77 lakh in 2020-21; (iii) Delivery gap: rules under sections 109 and 114 still pending in many states, no operational Social Security Fund disbursement, ESI/EPFO portability incomplete.
Way forward / Conclusion: Notify aggregator-contribution rules with platform-level audits, port ABHA-PM-JAY benefits to e-Shram IDs, build a federated Social Security Fund with state matching, and recognise Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Act 2023 as a model.
Written within the word limit
222 words · target 250 words · 14 min
Introduction:
The Code on Social Security 2020, notified into force on 21 November 2025, consolidates nine social-security laws and names 'gig worker' and 'platform worker' as statutory categories for the first time — giving Article 41 and Article 43 effect for an informal workforce of about 90 percent that contributes nearly 50 percent of GDP.
Architecture: Section 2(35) defines gig worker; Section 2(61) defines platform worker; Section 141 mandates a Social Security Fund financed by aggregator contributions of 1-2 percent of turnover or 5 percent of payouts. e-Shram, launched 26 August 2021, serves as the unified registry — 31.38 crore unorganised workers were registered by 27 November 2025.
Scale: NITI Aayog (2022) projects the gig workforce will reach 2.35 crore by 2029-30 from 77 lakh in 2020-21. Aggregator platforms in food delivery, e-commerce and ride-hailing cluster in metros, but Tier-2 expansion is broadening the base. Without portable benefits, this workforce remains outside ESIC and EPFO entitlements.
Recognition-versus-delivery gap: Rules under Sections 109 and 114 are yet to be notified in many States; the Social Security Fund has begun collections but disbursement protocols are pending; ESI/EPFO portability remains incomplete. The Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act 2023 and Karnataka's draft Bill (2024) provide State-level models for cess-based welfare boards.
Way forward / Conclusion:
Notify aggregator-contribution rules with platform-level audits, port ABHA-PM-JAY benefits to e-Shram IDs, build a federated Social Security Fund with State matching, and use the Rajasthan Act 2023 template — turning statutory recognition into delivered protection.
What an examiner expects to see
- Code on Social Security 2020 notified into force 21 November 2025 (PIB)
- Consolidates 9 social-security laws — EPF, ESI, Maternity Benefit, Gratuity, etc.
- Defines 'gig worker' (Section 2(35)) and 'platform worker' (Section 2(60))
- e-Shram registry — 31.38 crore unorganised workers (27 November 2025); women 53.68 percent
- Social Security Fund (Section 141) financed by aggregator contributions (1-2 percent of turnover)
- Informal sector — 90 percent of workforce, 50 percent of GDP (ILO India Employment Report 2024)
- Gig workforce projected to triple from 77 lakh (2020-21) to 2.35 crore by 2029-30 (NITI Aayog 2022)
- Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act 2023 as state pioneer
Concrete cases, schemes and judgments
- Code on Social Security 2020 (notified 21 November 2025)
- e-Shram portal (launched August 2021)
- Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Welfare Act 2023
- Karnataka Gig Workers Welfare Bill (2024 draft)
- Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers v. Union of India (WP 2021)
- NITI Aayog Report on India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy (June 2022)