Gig and platform workers: what the new National Social Security Board means
The Labour Ministry notified a National Social Security Board for gig and platform workers on 28 October 2026. What it does, who is on it and what has not changed yet.
The government has set up the board that will advise on social security for gig and platform workers, such as food delivery partners, ride-hailing drivers and app-based service workers. This is a first step under the Code on Social Security, 2020. It does not start any new benefit by itself.
What was notified
The Ministry of Labour and Employment issued notification S.O. 5884(E) on 28 October 2026, which appeared in the Gazette on 29 October. The ministry announced it on 30 October. It constitutes the National Social Security Board for unorganised workers for three years. Under section 114 of the Code, the same Board also works for gig and platform workers, with a different set of members.
Who is on the Board
The Union Labour and Employment Minister chairs it. For gig and platform work, the Gazette notification names representatives of aggregator companies including the Eternal group, Swiggy, Zepto, Urban Company and Rapido. It also names worker bodies such as the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and other unions, the heads of ESIC and EPFO, labour experts, and state labour officials from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal.
What the Board does
According to the ministry, the Board:
- recommends schemes for different groups of unorganised, gig and platform workers to the Central Government;
- advises the Government on matters under the Code;
- monitors welfare schemes run by the Central Government for these workers;
- reviews record keeping at state level and spending from the related fund and account.
It meets at least three times a year.
What has not changed
The notification only forms the Board. It does not announce a new scheme, a benefit amount, a contribution rate or a date for payouts. How much aggregators pay into the fund, and what workers receive, has to be decided separately. If you work through a platform, you do not need to do anything today. We will update this page when a scheme or registration process is notified.
Saifu is not a legal adviser. Read the notification for the full wording.
Sources: PIB: Government notifies National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig & Platform Workers, Gazette notification S.O. 5884(E) of 28 October 2026 (via Gazette Tracker), The Hindu BusinessLine (PTI): Govt notifies National Social Security Board for gig, platform workers.
Rules, rates and limits change. Check the official source linked above before you rely on a figure here. Posts never contain referral or affiliate links from the writer.
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