Reference:

• The Government of Jharkhand has approved the Jharkhand Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2025, which aims to provide formal social security to gig workers such as delivery personnel and drivers.

Key Highlights:

• The Bill was approved by the State Cabinet in June 2025 and passed by voice vote in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly in August 2025.
• Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar gave assent to the Bill on 18 December 2025, thereby making it a law.
• The legislation is a significant step toward providing formal social security and welfare to platform-based workers such as Swiggy–Zomato delivery partners, Ola–Uber drivers, Rapido bikers, etc., in view of the expanding gig economy.
• Jharkhand has become India’s fourth state to enact a dedicated law for gig and platform workers
• (after Rajasthan in 2023, followed by Karnataka, Bihar, and Jharkhand in 2025).

Salient Features of the Bill

Mandatory Registration:

• The government will issue a Universal ID to all gig workers.
• Every platform/aggregator must mandatorily register the data of all associated workers with the state government.

Jharkhand Gig Workers Welfare Board:

• A dedicated Welfare Board will be constituted comprising:

• • Government officials
  • Representatives of platform companies
  • Representatives of gig workers
  • The Board will be responsible for policy formulation and grievance redressal.

Gig Workers Social Security Fund:

• A Social Security Fund will be created through a ‘Welfare Cess’ levied on platform companies.
• Aggregators will be required to contribute a fixed percentage (likely 1–2%) per transaction
• (such as per delivery or per ride) to the fund.

Benefits and Social Protection:

• Insurance: Accident insurance, health insurance, and life insurance
• Pension: Provisions for old-age support
• Education Assistance: Scholarships for children of gig workers
• Maternity Benefits: Special assistance for women gig workers

E-Grievance Redressal Mechanism:

• If a worker is blocked/deactivated without valid reason or faces payment delays, they may file a complaint with the Welfare Board within a prescribed time frame.

Current Legal Status of Gig Workers in India

• India’s gig economy is among the fastest-growing in the world.
• The legal status of gig workers is currently governed by a combination of central labour codes and state-level initiatives.

Code on Social Security, 2020 (Central Labour Law):

• The Government of India consolidated 29 central labour laws into 4 labour codes.
• The Code on Social Security, 2020 is the most relevant for gig and platform workers.

Key Provisions:

• Legal Definitions: For the first time, ‘Gig Worker’ and ‘Platform Worker’ have been legally defined.
• Social Security Schemes: The Central Government is empowered to frame schemes for:
• • Life and disability insurance
  • Health benefits
  • Old-age protection
  • Maternity benefits
• Registration: Mandatory registration of all gig workers on a centralized portal (e-Shram).
• Funding: Aggregators are required to contribute 1%–2% of their annual turnover to the Social Security Fund.

e-Shram Portal:

• Launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in August 2021.
• It is India’s first national database of unorganised workers, including gig workers.
• Workers are issued a Universal Account Number (UAN), enabling easier access to government welfare schemes.

Jharkhand

• The word Jharkhand is derived from “Jhar” (forest) and “Khand” (land), meaning “the land of forests.”
• The state is known for its rich tribal culture and industrial development.

Geographical Status and State Profile

• Foundation Day: 15 November 2000 (on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda)
• Capital: Ranchi
• Sub-capital: Dumka
• Official Language: Hindi
• (Urdu, Santali, Mundari, Kurukh, and Ho are other regional languages)
• Area: 79,714 sq km (15th largest state in India)

State Symbols

• State Animal: Indian Elephant
• State Bird: Cuckoo (Koel)
• State Flower: Palash
• State Tree: Sal
• New State Logo: The new emblem of Jharkhand features Palash flowers, an elephant, and solar motifs

Administration and Politics

• Legislature: Unicameral (Legislative Assembly only)
• Legislative Assembly Seats: 81
• Lok Sabha Seats: 14
• Rajya Sabha Seats: 6
• Number of Districts: 24
• Major Divisions:

• • Palamu
  • North Chotanagpur
  • South Chotanagpur
  • Kolhan
  • Santhal Pargana

Minerals and Economy

• Major Minerals:

• • Coal (Jharia)
  • Iron ore (Noamundi)
  • Copper (Ghatsila)
  • Uranium (Jadugoda)
  • Mica (Koderma)
• Major Industries:

• • Tata Steel (TISCO): Jamshedpur (India’s first planned industrial city)
  • Bokaro Steel Plant: Bokaro

Tourism and Religious Places

Jharkhand has many religious, historical, and natural tourist destinations:

• Baba Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar): One of the 12 Jyotirlingas
• Parasnath Hill (Shikharji): Holiest site of Jainism
• Hundru and Dassam Falls: Scenic waterfalls near Ranchi
• Netarhat: Known as the “Queen of Chotanagpur”, famous for sunrise and sunset views
• Itkhori: A confluence of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
• HEC: Hatia, Ranchi (Heavy Engineering Corporation)

Culture and Art

• Folk Dances: Chhau, Paika, Karma, Sarhul, and Jhumar
• Major Festivals: Sarhul (nature worship), Sohrai, Karma, and Tusu
• Art Forms: Sohrai and Kohbar paintings (recently awarded GI tags)

Geography and Rivers

• Major Rivers:

• • Damodar (longest river of Jharkhand)
  • Swarnarekha
  • Barakar
  • Koel
  • Shankh
• Highest Peak: Parasnath Hill (1,365 meters)
• Climate: Tropical monsoon
• National Park: Betla National Park (Palamu)

• • The world’s first lion census (1932) was conducted here

Eminent Personalities

• Birsa Munda: Great freedom fighter, known as “Dharti Aaba”
• Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Former captain of the Indian cricket team
• Sidhu–Kanhu: Leaders of the Santhal rebellion
• Albert Ekka: Param Vir Chakra awardee