Gig workers and Ayushman Bharat: the Rs 5 lakh health cover announced, and what is still pending
25 October 2026 · 2 min read · HireHo
Based on a March 2025 Tribune report and the May 2026 Social Security rules report by MediaNama. Summarised in our own words.
In the Union Budget for 2025-26 the government said online platform workers would be registered on the e-Shram portal, given identity cards and covered under Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY). In March 2025 the Labour Secretary said preparations for the scheme were "almost complete", and the cover for gig workers and their families was reported as Rs 5 lakh.
What the later report says
A May 2026 report on the new Social Security rules says no specific benefits had been defined and that the Ayushman Bharat cover for platform workers had not yet launched at that time. We have not found official confirmation that it has started since then, so please check with the Labour Ministry or e-Shram before relying on it.
What you can do now
- Make sure you are registered on e-Shram. Registrations have been uneven across states.
- Keep Aadhaar linked to your mobile number and bank account.
- Do not pay anyone who offers to "activate" Ayushman Bharat for a fee. Government registration should not cost money.
Information on schemes can change quickly. This article reports what two named sources said at their dates.