The way people work is changing quickly. Earlier, most people worked in one company or office for many years. But now, many prefer working as freelancers or gig workers.
These workers are not tied to a single company — they take up different projects or tasks and get paid for each.
However, unlike regular employees, gig workers do not receive benefits like a pension or provident fund (PF).
To solve this issue, the government is now planning a special scheme called NPS e-Shramik, which will offer PF and pension benefits to gig workers.
What Is the NPS e-Shramik Platform Service Partner Scheme?
Millions of gig workers associated with companies like Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Ola, Uber, and Urban Company will now be linked to the National Pension System (NPS).
This means they can register under this scheme and start building a pension for their future.
Earlier, benefits like NPS or PF were available only to government and private-sector employees.
Now, through the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), gig workers can also enjoy similar long-term financial security.
The number of gig workers in India is increasing fast. A NITI Aayog report states that there were 7.7 million gig workers in 2020, and this number may rise to 23.5 million by 2030.
While this growth boosts the economy, it also raises concerns about social and retirement security, which this new scheme aims to address.
How to Register for NPS e-Shramik
Step 1 – Quick PRAN Generation
The worker’s KYC details (name, address, PAN, mobile number, and bank details) will be verified.
If platforms like Swiggy or Ola already have this data, it will be used directly.
After the worker’s consent, a Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) will be generated.
The worker or company can choose the pension fund and investment scheme together.
Step 2 – Provide Additional Details
The worker must give their parents’ names, email ID, and nominee details.
Nominee information must be provided within 60 days of registration.
Contribution Details
There are three ways to contribute to the NPS e-Shramik account:
Joint Contribution – Both platform and worker contribute.
Worker-Only Contribution – Only the worker contributes.
Platform-Only Contribution – Only the company contributes.
The minimum contribution can be set at ₹99 per month (compared to ₹500 in regular NPS).
There will be no registration fee, and the annual fee has been reduced from ₹100 to ₹15.
Why This Scheme Matters
Experts believe that regular contributions to NPS will help gig workers build long-term savings through compounding.
This ensures financial stability after retirement, just like permanent employees enjoy.
The NPS e-Shramik scheme is a major step toward giving freelancers and gig workers the social security and pension benefits they’ve been missing for years.
