In a landmark move for India’s burgeoning "sharing economy," the Union Labour Ministry has proposed new draft rules that could finally bring millions of delivery partners and app-based drivers under a formal social security umbrella. According to the notification released on December 30, 2025, gig workers will soon be eligible for centrally funded social security benefits—provided they meet specific annual work thresholds.
The announcement comes at a critical time, arriving just hours before a planned nationwide strike by platform workers on New Year’s Eve. As the lines between traditional employment and freelance app-work continue to blur, these rules represent the government's first concrete step toward defining eligibility for the unorganized sector.
The 90-Day Threshold: Who Qualifies?
The heart of the new proposal lies in the "engagement criteria." For the first time, the government has quantified how much a freelancer must work to be considered eligible for state-backed insurance, healthcare, and pension schemes.
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Single Aggregator: Workers associated with one platform (like Zomato or Swiggy) must complete at least 90 days of work within a financial year.
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Multiple Aggregators: For those "multi-apping" across different platforms, the requirement increases to 120 days of engagement annually.
Crucially, the ministry has simplified the definition of a "workday." Any calendar day on which a worker earns income—regardless of the amount—will count toward their total. For multi-platform workers, days are counted cumulatively. For instance, if a driver completes deliveries for three different apps on a single Tuesday, it counts as three days of engagement toward the 120-day goal.
Digital IDs and the e-Shram Portal
Beyond work hours, the draft rules emphasize a "Digital First" approach to welfare. To access social security benefits, all unorganized workers must register on the government’s designated portal, likely integrated with the existing e-Shram platform.
Upon successful registration, workers will be issued a digital identity card. This card, featuring the worker’s photograph and a unique ID, will act as a "passport to protection," facilitating seamless access to health cover under Ayushman Bharat and life insurance schemes.
"This is a transformative step toward equitable labor rights for a segment that has long operated in a legal gray area," says a simulated expert perspective from the Ministry of Labour.
Mandatory Updates and KYC
The proposal isn't without its responsibilities for the workers. To remain eligible, registered individuals must regularly update their information on the portal. This includes:
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Current address and mobile number.
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Changes in occupation or skill sets.
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Updated KYC (Know Your Customer) documents.
Failure to keep these details current could lead to a temporary suspension of benefits, a move intended to ensure the government's database remains accurate for the projected 23.5 million gig workers expected in India by 2030.
Why It Matters Now
The timing of this proposal is significant. On December 31, 2025, thousands of workers across India's major metros called for a strike, protesting "10-minute delivery" models and shrinking payouts. By releasing these draft rules now, the Centre is signaling a willingness to regulate the aggregators and provide a safety net, even as it balances the flexibility that defines the gig economy.
For the average delivery partner, this could mean the difference between financial ruin and a safety net during a medical emergency or accident.
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