Labour Card: How to Apply, Check Status, Download, and Renew Online
- PRITI SIRDESHMUKH
- Sep 18
- 7 min read
In India, unorganised sector workers are eligible for welfare benefits under labour regulations with a Labour Card, a government-issued identification document. Access to social security benefits like health care, accident insurance, pensions, child labour card scholarships, maternity benefits, and housing aid is made possible by this card. After the application is accepted, the relevant state labour department portal will allow you to download your labour card.
Table of Contents
What is a Labour Card?
For workers in the unorganised sector, a labour card is the Indian government-issued identity document that gives access to welfare programs and social security benefits. The issuing and advantages of labour cards to the unorganised sector are supervised by the State Welfare Boards and the Ministry of Labour & Employment. Although it is not required, it is strongly advised that unorganised sector workers register in order to be eligible for government assistance programs' benefits and safeguards.
Types of Labour Card
There are two types of labour cards, namely:
Social Security Card (Unorganised Workers Card)
Workers in non-construction industries like agriculture, household work, street vending, fishing, tailoring, and other unorganised jobs are granted Social Security cards, also known as Unorganised Workers Cards. In accordance with the 2008 Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, this card makes it possible to obtain social welfare programs such as health insurance (like PM-JAY), pensions (like PM-SYM), and child scholarship benefits.
Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Card
Workers engaged in construction-related tasks like masonry, carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical work, etc. are issued Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) cards. The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act of 1996 is the reason for registration. This card gives access to advantages like health care, maternity benefits, pensions, accident insurance, and help with children's education.
Format of a Labour Card
A labour card includes the following information:
Name and photograph
Age and gender
Registration number
Nature of work
Validity period
Employer details (if applicable)
Eligibility Criteria for Labour Card
To be eligible for a labour card, you must meet the requirements. The following requirements must be met in order to apply for a labour card:
The eligibility requirements vary by state and particular program, but you must be a resident of the state in which you are applying.
Documents Required for Labour Card Registration
The documentation required for labour card registration is as follows:
Aadhaar card number for family members
Bank account number
Ration card (optional)
Email ID
Contact number
Passport-sized photographs
Benefits of a Labour Card
The issuance of a labour card offers employees a number of advantages. It safeguards employees' rights and serves as reliable documentation of lawful employment. The following are some main advantages of a labour card:
Access to government assistance programs, including pensions, maternity benefits, and health insurance
Scholarships for education for children of registered workers
Insurance coverage for accidents and disabilities resulting from injuries sustained at work
Financial assistance for skill development, housing, and tool purchases
Benefits for maternity for female employees
Pension payments upon reaching retirement age
Legal safeguard against exploitation and unjust work practices
In the event of death, funeral support and survivor benefits for dependents
Eligibility for numerous state-run programs that provide inexpensive food grains and necessities
Assistance through relief funding during emergencies
Labour Card Scholarship
Children of registered workers can receive financial assistance through the Labour Card Scholarship, which is offered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and state-level labour welfare boards. By lessening their financial burden, it seeks to encourage higher education among families employed in the unorganised sector. State-specific eligibility requirements may vary. The following are the general ones:
The applicant must be a registered labour card holder's dependant or child.
The worker needs to be registered with the Labour Welfare Board in their state.
The student needs to be enrolled in an accredited technical school, college, or university.
There may be requirements for minimum attendance and academic performance, which differ according to the scheme.
There may be family income restrictions, which typically don't go above Rs. 1–1.5 lakh annually.
Depending on the state, different documentation may be needed to claim labour card scholarship. The following common documents are required:
Student's Aadhaar card
Parent or guardian's valid labour card
Evidence of admission (authentic certificate)
Details of a bank account
Academic records and grades
Current passport-sized photos
Check the Central Sector Scholarship portal (in states that apply) or the website of your state's labour department for the most recent scholarship amounts.
Steps to Apply for a Labour Card
The process of applying for a work card is easy and straightforward. To apply for a labour card online, simply follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit your state's labour department's official website.
Step 2: Look for the option labelled "New Labour Card Registration."
Step 3: From the corresponding drop-down menu, choose your district.
Step 4: Provide all of your information, such as your first and last names, phone number, and email address.
Step 5: Type the number from your Aadhaar card.
Step 6: Confirm your email address and mobile number.
Step 7: To submit the application, click the "Submit" button.
States might differ greatly in their application processes, incorporating both online and offline approaches. For precise instructions, it is best to visit the state's official labour department website.
Steps to Check the Status of Labour Card Registration
Use these steps to see if your labour card application has been registered:
Step 1: Go to the website of your state's official labour department.
Step 2: Locate the "Check Labour Card Status" or "Application Status" option.
Step 3: Select the link and provide the necessary information, including your phone number, Aadhaar number, or registration number.
Step 4: To check the status of your labour card application, submit the form.
Additionally, several governments send out email or SMS status updates. When applying, make sure your contact details are accurate.
Steps to Download a Labour Card
The procedure of downloading a labour card is still reliant on each state labour department's digital infrastructure. In many states, you can finish the labour card download (digital copy) from the State Labour Department's official website after your application is accepted. The steps for downloading a labour card (which may vary depending on the state), but here are a few general ones:
Step 1: Go to your state's official labour department website.
Step 2: Search for the "Print Labour Card" or "Download Labour Card" options.
Step 3: Enter your mobile number, Aadhaar number, or registration ID.
Step 4: Check the OTP that was sent to the registered mobile number.
Step 5: After verification, save the labour card PDF to your computer for further use.
Online downloads are not currently available in every state. In these situations, pick up the actual card from the labour office in your region.
State-Wise Labour Department Websites
State
| Website Link
|
Andhra Pradesh-Labour Department | |
Arunachal Pradesh-Department of Labour and Employment | |
Assam-Labour & Employment Department | |
Bihar-Labour Department | |
Chattisgarh-Department of Labour | |
Goa-Department of Labour | |
Gujarat-Labour & Employment Department | |
Haryana-Labour Department | |
Himachal Pradesh-Labour & Employment Department | |
Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory -Department of Labour and Employment | |
Jharkhand-Labour and Employment | |
Karnataka-Department of Labour | |
Kerala-Labour Commissionerate | |
Madhya Pradesh-Labour Department | |
Maharashtra-Department of Labour | |
Manipur-Department of Labour | |
Meghalaya-Department of Employment and Craftsmen Training | |
Mizoram-Labour,Employment & Industrial Training Department | |
Nagaland-Labour & Employment Department | |
Orissa-Labour Directorate | |
Punjab-Labour & Employment Department | |
Rajasthan-Labour Department | |
Sikkim-Labour Department | |
Tamil Nadu-Labour Department | |
Tripura-Directorate of Labour | |
Uttarakhand-Department of Labour | |
Uttar Pradesh-Labour Department | |
West Bengal-Labour Welfare Board | |
Chandigarh-Labour Department | |
Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Labour Department | |
Labour and Employment Office, Diu | |
Labour Department-Delhi | |
Lakshadweep-Department Labour & Employment & Training | |
Pondicherry-Labour Department |
Renewal of Labour Card
State-issued labour cards normally have a validity span of one to five years, after which they need to be renewed in order to continue collecting benefits. To prevent a lapse in benefits, renewal should be completed before expiration. To guarantee continuous access to government social programs, timely renewal is crucial. The procedures may vary by state; therefore, it's crucial to review your state's renewal procedure. Your new labour card will be issued after approval, and you need to keep it secure.
Conclusion
For India's unorganised workers, a labour card is a potent instrument of empowerment. In several jurisdictions, the government is making social security benefits easier to obtain, from financial aid through the labour card scholarship to the simplicity of labour card downloads. Those who qualify should apply as soon as possible, keep track of when renewals are scheduled, and investigate the entire array of benefits offered by their state's assistance programs.
FAQs
Q1. What is the labour card?
In India, workers in the unorganised sector are granted a labour card by the state labour department. It facilitates access to government social programs, including pension benefits, health insurance, and educational assistance.
Q2. Who is a labour card meant for?
A labour card is given to construction workers, migrant labourers, agricultural labourers, daily wage workers, domestic workers, street vendors, rickshaw pullers, and small-scale industry workers.
Q3. What are the benefits a labour cardholder may receive?
Health and accident insurance
Maternity benefits
Educational assistance for children
Housing support
Pension and old age assistance
Tool purchase aid
Skill development training
Q4. Who is not eligible for a labour card?
A labour card is not available to income taxpayers, those working in the organised sector, or those enrolled in EPFO, ESIC, or NPS programs.
Q5. Who is eligible for a UP labour card?
Eligible individuals are Uttar Pradesh residents between the ages of 18 and 60 who work in the unorganised sector as daily wage labourers, electricians, or construction workers.
Q6. Can a student apply for a labour card?
If a student meets the state's eligibility requirements and is working in the unorganised sector, they are able to apply for a labour card.
Q7. How to check a labour card balance?
Go to your State Labour Welfare Board's official website to view your labour card balance. Use your Aadhaar or registration number to log in. You can also use the app or go to the closest labour office to check the balance if your state offers mobile app services. For balance-related questions, certain states might provide SMS or phone assistance.
Q8. How to download a labour card by Aadhaar number?
Go to the labour department website in your state, fill out the labour card portion with your Aadhaar or registration number, and then download the card in PDF format.
Related Posts
See AllFiling taxes efficiently requires a clear understanding of India’s tax framework and the options available to optimize your savings. For...
The new income tax regime in India offers simplified tax slabs with lower rates but removes most traditional exemptions and deductions....
Tax-free allowances are portions of a salary that are exempt from tax under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. For salaried...
