The e-Shram Card Scheme was heralded as a major initiative for the country’s millions of unorganized sector workers. Its purpose was to provide identity and security to workers who are not part of any formal employment structure. However, over the past few months, claims have been spreading rapidly on social media and various websites that e-Shram Card holders are receiving financial assistance of ₹9,000 per month. The question is: is this true or is it just a myth?
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What is the e-Shram Card?
The e-Shram Card is a universal identity card launched by the Ministry of Labor and Employment in August 2021. Its purpose is to link unorganized sector workers across the country to a centralized database and provide them with access to government social security schemes. Upon registration on this portal, workers receive a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN), which is valid throughout India. This includes people who are not affiliated with formal institutions like the EPFO or ESIC—such as domestic workers, agricultural laborers, auto drivers, construction workers, and delivery agents.
Where did the claim of ₹9,000 per month come from?
When we investigated this claim, we found that no official government notification or press release mentions providing ₹9,000 per month to every e-Shram card holder. This claim has been spread primarily through social media and non-governmental websites. The government’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) has also not confirmed any such scheme.
Indeed, some websites incorrectly used the terms “monthly assistance” or “allowance” and associated it with ₹9,000. It is possible that temporary relief funds were provided under a state or local scheme, which was mistakenly assumed to be applicable nationally. But the perception that the central government is giving ₹9,000 to every e-Shram card holder is completely false.
What are the actual benefits of the e-Shram card?
E-Shram cardholders are actually provided with several social security benefits.
Under this scheme, registered workers receive accident insurance, which provides up to ₹2 lakh in the event of death or total disability, and insurance cover of up to ₹1 lakh in the event of partial disability.
In addition, cardholders also receive benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM). Under this scheme, workers between the ages of 18 and 40 contribute a small amount every month and receive a pension of ₹3,000 per month after the age of 60.
The e-Shram portal is linked to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and other social welfare schemes, providing registered workers with employment opportunities, skill training, and social benefits.
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Why did the ₹9000 rumor spread?
Such rumors often spread through social media, YouTube channels, and some blog websites, which misinterpret government announcements. This ₹9000 claim is one such claim. In some places, mentions of monthly assistance of ₹1000 or ₹1500 were found, which was then increased to ₹9000.
Many people also believed that this amount would be provided under new schemes like NPS e-Shramik or PM-SYM, whereas these schemes do not provide any such direct cash benefit. Therefore, it is important to always verify any government claim from the official website eshram.gov.in or PIB.