Quick answer: The National Social Security Board is a statutory body under the Code on Social Security, 2020 that advises the Centre on welfare schemes for unorganised, gig and platform workers. On 30 October 2026 the Ministry of Labour and Employment announced that it has notified the constitution of these Boards, with the Union Labour Minister as chairperson.
Why the National Social Security Board is in the news
According to a Press Information Bureau release of 30 October 2026, the Labour Ministry has formally notified the Boards for unorganised workers and for gig and platform workers. The ministry called it a step towards bringing app-based delivery riders, cab drivers and other digital-platform earners into the formal welfare system, alongside traditional informal workers such as construction labourers and domestic help.
The step follows the coming into force of all four labour codes on 21 November 2025, as the Labour Ministry told the Lok Sabha in December 2025.
Key facts about the National Social Security Board
- Legal basis: Section 6 of the Code on Social Security, 2020 creates the Board for unorganised workers. Section 114(6) makes the same Board responsible for gig and platform workers, with a changed membership for that purpose.
- Chairperson: the Union Minister for Labour and Employment.
- Members (gig and platform wing): five representatives each of aggregators and of gig/platform workers, five State representatives by rotation, the ESIC Director General and the Central PF Commissioner, among others (Section 114(6)).
- Meetings: at least three times a year, as per the PIB release.
- Functions: recommend schemes for different groups of workers, advise the Centre on matters under the Code, monitor central welfare schemes, review record-keeping by States and review spending from the social security fund.
- Funding link: Section 114(4) lets the Centre ask aggregators to contribute 1 to 2 per cent of annual turnover, capped at 5 per cent of the amount paid to gig and platform workers. The start date of this contribution is to be notified by the Centre.
Gig worker vs platform worker vs unorganised worker
The Code defines these three groups separately. Exam questions often test the difference.
| Term | Section of the Code | Meaning in simple words |
|---|---|---|
| Gig worker | 2(35) | A person who works and earns outside a traditional employer-employee relationship |
| Platform worker | 2(61), read with 2(60) | A person doing platform work: work found through an online platform that links customers and service providers, for payment (for example, an app-based delivery rider) |
| Unorganised worker | 2(86) | A home-based, self-employed or wage worker in the unorganised sector; also an organised-sector worker not covered by the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 or Chapters III to VII of the Code |
The four labour codes at a glance
| Labour code | Laws merged | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Code on Wages, 2019 | 4 | In force from 21 November 2025; together they replace 29 central labour laws |
| Industrial Relations Code, 2020 | 3 | |
| Code on Social Security, 2020 | 9 | |
| Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 | 13 |
e-Shram: the database behind the Boards
- Launched on 26 August 2021 by the Labour Ministry and built by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
- It is the first Aadhaar-verified National Database of Unorganised Workers. Each registered worker gets a 12-digit Universal Account Number.
- Any unorganised worker aged 16 or above can register free of cost, provided he or she is not an income-tax payer or an EPFO/ESIC member.
- A PIB factsheet put registrations at 31.89 crore (18 August 2026), including about 11.5 lakh platform workers.
Exam angle: how NDA, CDS and CAPF can ask this
- Statement questions on who chairs the Board and how often it meets are likely in CDS and CAPF general studies papers.
- Labour is in the Concurrent List, which links this news to Seventh Schedule questions in polity.
Practice MCQs
Q1. The National Social Security Board for gig and platform workers is chaired by:
(a) the Prime Minister (b) the Union Minister for Labour and Employment (c) the Chief Labour Commissioner (d) the Director General of ESIC
Answer: (b) — the PIB release names the Union Labour Minister as chairperson.
Q2. Under the Code on Social Security, 2020, the contribution of an aggregator towards the welfare of gig and platform workers is:
(a) 0.5 to 1 per cent of turnover (b) 1 to 2 per cent of annual turnover, capped at 5 per cent of payments to such workers (c) a flat 5 per cent of profit (d) 2 to 3 per cent of turnover
Answer: (b) — Section 114(4) of the Code.
Q3. How many central labour laws were merged into the four labour codes?
(a) 19 (b) 24 (c) 29 (d) 44
Answer: (c) — the four codes rationalised 29 laws.
Q4. Which statement about e-Shram is correct?
(a) It was launched in 2019 (b) It issues a 12-digit Universal Account Number (c) EPFO members must register on it (d) It charges a registration fee
Answer: (b) — registration is free and gives a 12-digit UAN.
Frequently asked questions
What is the National Social Security Board?
It is a body set up under the Code on Social Security, 2020 to recommend, monitor and review welfare schemes for unorganised, gig and platform workers. Its constitution was notified by the Labour Ministry, as announced on 30 October 2026.
Who heads the National Social Security Board?
The Union Minister for Labour and Employment is the chairperson of the Board.
What is the difference between a gig worker and a platform worker?
A gig worker earns outside a regular employer-employee relationship. A platform worker is a gig-type worker who gets work through an online platform such as a delivery or ride-hailing app.
How often must the Board meet?
The Board must meet at least three times a year.
Also read on NCA: Ayushman Vay Vandana | Monthly defence current affairs PDFs | CDS coaching in Chandigarh
Sources: PIB, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Labour Ministry Lok Sabha reply, PIB factsheet: 5 years of e-Shram, Code on Social Security, Section 114. Facts as reported up to 1 November 2026.
Featured image background: Eshshiv / Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
