Delivery and gig workers: what the new Social Security rules say about the 90-day condition

On 8 May 2026 the Ministry of Labour and Employment notified the Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026. They explain how gig and platform workers, such as delivery partners and cab drivers, can become eligible for social security under the new labour code.

Who is eligible

• A worker needs at least 90 days of work with one aggregator (app or platform) in the previous financial year, or 120 days across more than one aggregator.
• A day counts if you earned any income from the platform that day, however small.
• If you miss the days in a year, you lose eligibility for that year. Eligibility also ends at age 60.

What platforms must do

• Register on the government's Shram Suvidha portal (or another notified portal).
• Share details of all currently engaged workers within 45 days of the rules taking effect, and register new workers in real time or daily.
• Pay a contribution to the fund. They can choose a percentage of annual turnover set by the government, or 5% of the amount paid to gig workers. Late payment attracts 1% interest per month.

What is still unclear

As reported, the rules do not yet list specific benefits, and no scheme has been notified under the Code on Social Security. Ayushman Bharat health cover for platform workers was announced in the 2025-26 Budget but had not launched at the time of this report. Registration on the e-Shram portal has also been uneven across states.

What delivery partners can do now

• Keep a record of the days you work on each app, since eligibility depends on days.
• Check whether you are registered on the e-Shram portal, and register if you are not.
• If you work on several apps, keep track of your total days. The 120-day rule applies across all of them.
• Be careful with anyone who asks you for money to get you registered.

This article explains the rules in simple words and is not legal advice. Check the official notification for the exact text.