Ayushman Bharat Extended to Gig Workers
Why focus: GS2 Social Justice — flagship scheme expansion; tests eligibility criteria and e-Shram portal linkage in How-Many-Correct.
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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BEFORE: Gig workers were largely excluded from structured, state-sponsored health insurance unless they coincidentally qualified under specific deprivation criteria of the SECC 2011. NOW: Gig workers are explicitly recognized as a distinct beneficiary category under AB PM-JAY, eligible for the Rs 5 lakh annual family health cover.
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BEFORE: The e-Shram portal functioned primarily as a centralized registry of unorganized workers with limited direct integration into major health schemes. NOW: The e-Shram portal is actively utilized as the primary identification and registration mechanism to disburse Ayushman Bharat benefits to gig workers.
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BEFORE: Healthcare costs for gig workers were mostly out-of-pocket, as platform aggregators were not strictly mandated to provide comprehensive medical insurance. NOW: The state provides a publicly funded safety net, significantly reducing the financial vulnerability of platform-dependent labor.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Consider the following statements regarding the extension of Ayushman Bharat to gig workers: 1. The beneficiaries for this extended health coverage will be identified primarily through the e-Shram portal. 2. The Code on Social Security, 2020 was the first Indian legislation to legally define gig workers and platform workers.