Overview
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority is developing digital tools to let informal-sector workers registered on the e-Shram portal open pension accounts directly from their mobile devices. Chairman S. Ramann confirmed the initiative as part of a broader push to widen pension coverage beyond formal employment.
How it could work
Under the planned framework, users logged into the e-Shram registry would authenticate their identity and complete pension enrollment using their mobile phones. The system would integrate with Aadhaar and other verify-identity processes to streamline onboarding, while safeguarding data privacy and preventing misuse.
Expected benefits
- Expanded pension access for informal workers
- Seamless enrollment through handheld devices
- Flexible contribution options and potential auto-enrollment features
Timeline and next steps
Officials expect pilot deployments in coming months as the technical layers are finalized and regulatory approvals align. PFRDA emphasizes user experience and security as central to rollout.
About PFRDA and e-Shram
PFRDA oversees pension products and accounts, while the e-Shram portal maintains records for informal workers seeking social security benefits. The collaboration aims to close inclusion gaps for a large informal workforce.
