Overview: The Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified the constitution of the National Social Security Board under the Code on Social Security 2020. The same Board will also deal with gig and platform worker welfare through a separate membership arrangement. Its responsibilities include recommending social-security schemes, advising the Central Government and monitoring welfare measures.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has announced the constitution of the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers and Gig and Platform Workers. The notification is relevant to aggregators and businesses following the implementation of the Code on Social Security, 2020, particularly its provisions on gig and platform worker welfare.
Food delivery, passenger transport, e-commerce and home-service businesses increasingly rely on people who accept work through digital platforms. These workers often operate outside conventional employer-employee arrangements. Their access to social-security benefits has therefore become a distinct issue under India’s labour-law framework.
National Social Security Board: Constitution and Composition
The Central Government constituted the Board through Notification S.O. 5884(E), dated 28th October, 2026, and published in the Official Gazette on 29th October 2026. It has been constituted under Section 6(1) of the Code on Social Security, 2020, for a term of three years from the date of publication.
The Union Minister for Labour and Employment will chair the Board, while the Ministry’s Secretary will serve as Vice-Chairperson. Its general membership includes representatives of workers’ organisations, employers, Central and State Governments and other nominated members.
The Code does not provide for two separate Boards. Under Section 114(6), this same Board also functions for the welfare of gig and platform workers. When dealing with these matters, its membership changes. The arrangement includes five representatives of aggregators, five representatives of gig and platform workers, officials from EPFO and ESIC, experts and five State Government representatives. A Joint Secretary in the Labour Ministry serves as Member-Secretary for these matters.
The Board must meet at least three times a year.
Board’s Responsibilities and Role
The Board has an advisory and monitoring role. Its functions include:
- Recommending suitable social-security schemes for different categories of unorganised, gig and platform workers.
- Advising the Central Government on matters relating to the administration of the Code.
- Monitoring Central Government social-welfare schemes.
- Reviewing record-keeping functions performed at the State level.
- Reviewing expenditure from the relevant fund and account.
- Performing other functions assigned by the Central Government.
The Board can recommend measures and review their implementation. The responsibility for framing and notifying social-security schemes remains with the Central Government.
Aggregator Compliance Under the Social Security Code
The Board’s constitution is a fresh institutional development, but it is not the starting point for aggregator compliance. The Code on Social Security, 2020 came into force on 21 November 2025, followed by the Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026, notified on 8 May 2026.
Under Rule 48(2), gig and platform workers aged 16 years or above must register themselves on the designated Central Government portal through self-declaration, using Aadhaar and other prescribed documents.
Aggregators have separate reporting responsibilities. They were required to share details of existing gig and platform workers on the portal within 45 days of the Rules coming into force. For new engagements, worker details and exit information must be submitted in real time or daily. Aggregators must also update worker particulars monthly, or at another frequency specified on the portal. Rule 49(5) separately requires every aggregator to register on the designated portal or another portal specified by the Central Government.
A further obligation concerns contributions towards social-security benefits. Section 114(4) provides for contributions by specified categories of aggregators at a rate between 1% and 2% of annual turnover, subject to a ceiling of 5% of the amount paid or payable to gig and platform workers. The applicable rate and the date from which contributions begin require separate Central Government notifications under Sections 114(4) and 114(5).
The Board’s constitution notification does not itself notify either the contribution rate or its commencement date. Businesses should therefore distinguish the existing registration and reporting requirements from the separate contribution framework.
Setindiabiz Support
Labour and social-security compliance requires businesses to maintain proper statutory registrations, payroll records and supporting documentation. Setindiabiz supports companies with employer-side EPF and ESI compliance, payroll documentation, statutory registrations, GST compliance and ongoing corporate filings.
Our professionals assist businesses with company incorporation and the organisation of statutory and financial records required for business operations and lender appraisal. These services help founders and management teams keep their corporate compliance responsibilities organised while concentrating on business operations.
FAQs
The National Social Security Board is a statutory body constituted under Section 6(1) of the Code on Social Security, 2020. It recommends social-security schemes, advises the Central Government and monitors welfare measures for unorganised workers. It also deals with the welfare of gig and platform workers through a separate membership arrangement.
No. Section 114(4) of the Code provides for contributions by specified aggregators at a rate between 1% and 2% of annual turnover, subject to a ceiling of 5% of the amount paid or payable to gig and platform workers. The applicable rate and commencement date require separate Central Government notifications. The Board’s constitution notification does not itself activate these contributions.
Aggregators must register on the designated Central Government portal and provide information about gig and platform workers. Details of existing workers were required to be submitted within 45 days of commencement of the Rules. Information about new engagements and worker exits must be reported in real time or daily, with worker particulars updated monthly or at another frequency specified on the portal.
TGig and platform workers aged 16 years or above can register themselves on the designated Central Government portal through self-declaration, using Aadhaar and other prescribed documents. Worker registration is distinct from the reporting and portal-registration responsibilities placed on aggregators.
The National Social Security Board will provide a statutory forum for considering welfare measures for unorganised, gig and platform workers. Its recommendations and monitoring work will form part of the Government’s approach to extending social-security protection to these groups.
For aggregators, the immediate compliance focus should remain on worker registration, reporting and periodic data updates under the Central Rules. The contribution rate and commencement date should be tracked separately through subsequent Government notifications.
