Labour Card 2025: How to Apply, Status Check, Renewal & Download Labour Card

Updated on: Oct 14th, 2025

9 min read

A Labour Card is a government-issued ID that certifies unorganised sector workers in India for welfare benefits under labour laws. This card enables access to social security benefits such as healthcare, accident insurance, pensions, labour card scholarships for children, maternity benefits, and housing assistance. Labour card download can be done from the respective state labour department portal once the application is approved.

Key Highlights
Issued by state labour boards and the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
Workers can apply and download the card online through state portals or the e-Shram portal.
Labour Card Scholarship offers Rs. 1,000 – Rs. 25,000 annually to children of registered workers.
Benefits include pension (PM-SYM), insurance, healthcare, maternity aid, etc.

What is a Labour Card?

A labour card is a government-issued identity document for workers in India's unorganised sector, enabling them to access social security benefits and welfare schemes. The Ministry of Labour & Employment and State Welfare Boards oversee the issuance and benefits of labour cards to the unorganized sector.

Registration is voluntary but highly recommended for unorganised sector workers to claim rightful benefits and protections under government welfare programs.

Types of Labour Card

The state government usually issues two main different types of labour cards, namely, the building card and the social card.

Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Card

Issued to workers involved in construction-related activities such as masonry, carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical work, etc.
Registered under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996.
Provides access to benefits like accident insurance, pension, health care, maternity benefits, and educational assistance for children.

Social Security Card (Unorganised Workers Card)

Issued to workers in non-construction sectors such as agriculture, domestic work, street vending, fishing, tailoring, and other informal occupations.
Registered under the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008.
Enables access to social welfare schemes like health insurance (e.g., PM-JAY), pension (e.g., PM-SYM), and scholarship benefits for children.

How to Apply for a Labour Card?

Application of a labour card is a simple and hassle-free process. Follow the below steps for easy application of the labour card online:

Step 1: Go to the official website of the labour department of your state

Step 2: Search for the ‘New Labour Card Registration’ option

Step 3: Select your respective district from the respective drop-down menu

Step 4: Enter all your details, including your first name, last name, contact number and email address

Step 5: Enter your Aadhaar card number

Step 6: Verify your mobile number and email address

Step 7: Click on the ‘Submit’ button to submit the application form

The application procedures, including online and offline methods, can vary significantly between states. It's advisable to consult the official labour department website of the respective state for accurate guidance.

How to Check the Labour Card Registration Status?

To check the registration status of your labour card application, follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official labour department website of your respective state.

Step 2: Look for the option that says “Check Labour Card Status” or “Application Status.”

Step 3: Click on the link and enter the required details, such as your registration number, Aadhaar number, or mobile number.

Step 4: Submit the form to view the current status of your labour card application.

Some states also provide status updates via SMS or email. Ensure your contact information is correct when applying.

Labour Card Download

The labour card download process continues to depend on the digital infrastructure of individual state labour departments. In many states, once your labour card application is approved, you can complete the labour card download (digital copy) from the official website of the respective State Labour Department.

Steps for labour card download (state-specific processes may differ)

Visit the official labour department website of your state (refer to state-wise links).
Look for the “Download Labour Card” or “Print Labour Card” option.
Enter your registration ID, Aadhaar number, or mobile number.
Verify the OTP sent to your registered mobile.
Once verified, download the labour card PDF and save it for future use.

Not all states offer online downloads yet. In such cases, collect the physical card from your district's labour office.

State-Wise Websites of Labour Departments

Given below is a list of state-wise websites of labour departments:

State	Website Link
Andhra Pradesh-Labour Department	https://labour.ap.gov.in/
Arunachal Pradesh-Department of Labour and Employment	http://labour.arunachal.gov.in/
Assam-Labour & Employment Department	https://labour.assam.gov.in/
Bihar-Labour Department	https://state.bihar.gov.in/labour/CitizenHome.html
Chattisgarh-Department of Labour	https://cglabour.nic.in/
Goa-Department of Labour	https://www.goa.gov.in/department/commissioner-labour-and-employment/
Gujarat-Labour & Employment Department	http://www.labour.gujarat.gov.in/
Haryana-Labour Department	http://hrylabour.gov.in/
Himachal Pradesh-Labour & Employment Department	http://himachal.nic.in/employment/
Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory -Department of Labour and Employment	http://jklabouremp.nic.in/
Jharkhand-Labour and Employment	https://shramadhan.jharkhand.gov.in/home
Karnataka-Department of Labour	https://labour.karnataka.gov.in/english
Kerala-Labour Commissionerate	http://www.lc.kerala.gov.in/
Madhya Pradesh-Labour Department	http://www.labour.mp.gov.in/Default.aspx
Maharashtra-Department of Labour	https://mahakamgar.maharashtra.gov.in/
Manipur-Department of Labour	http://manipur.gov.in/?page_id=1643
Meghalaya-Department of Employment and Craftsmen Training	http://dectmeg.nic.in/
Mizoram-Labour,Employment & Industrial Training Department	https://let.mizoram.gov.in/
Nagaland-Labour & Employment Department	https://labour.nagaland.gov.in/
Orissa-Labour Directorate	http://www.labdirodisha.gov.in/
Punjab-Labour & Employment Department	http://pblabour.gov.in/
Rajasthan-Labour Department	https://labour.rajasthan.gov.in/
Sikkim-Labour Department	https://sikkim.gov.in/departments/labour-department
Tamil Nadu-Labour Department	http://www.labour.tn.gov.in/
Tripura-Directorate of Labour	http://labour.tripura.gov.in/
Uttarakhand-Department of Labour	http://labour.uk.gov.in/
Uttar Pradesh-Labour Department	http://uplabour.gov.in/
West Bengal-Labour Welfare Board	http://wblwb.org/html/index.php
Chandigarh-Labour Department	http://chandigarh.gov.in/dept_labour.htm
Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Labour Department	https://www.daman.nic.in/Labour-and-Employment.aspx
Labour and Employment Office, Diu	http://diu.gov.in/labour-and-employment-department-diu.php
Labour Department-Delhi	http://www.delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_labour/Labour/Home/
Lakshadweep-Department Labour & Employment & Training	https://lakshadweep.gov.in/departments/labour-employment-and-training/
Pondicherry-Labour Department	https://labour.py.gov.in/

Who is the Labour Card meant for?

This card is primarily meant for:

Construction workers
Migrant labourers
Street vendors
Rickshaw pullers
Agricultural labourers
Daily wage workers
Domestic workers
Small-scale industry workers

The card contains details like the worker’s:

Name and photograph
Age and gender
Nature of work
Employer details (if applicable)
Registration number
Validity period

Once registered, cardholders may receive benefits like:

Health and accident insurance
Educational assistance for children
Maternity benefits
Pension and old age assistance
Tool purchase aid
Housing support
Skill development training

Eligibility Criteria for Labour Card

Meeting the eligibility criteria is a must for issuing a labour card. To apply for a labour card, here are the mandatory eligibility conditions to fulfil:

Should be aged between 18 years and 40 years
Must be an Indian citizen
Should be an unorganised worker
Should not be employed in the organised sector or any member of EPF/NPS/ESIC
The monthly salary should not be more than Rs. 15,000
Must not be an income taxpayer
You should be a resident of the state where you are applying

Eligibility criteria can differ by state and specific scheme.

Documents Required for a Labour Card

The documentation process required to avail of a labour card is simple. Here are some documents you need to keep in hand before opting for a labour card in any state:

Ration card (optional)
Aadhaar card
Bank account number
Email ID
Aadhaar card number for family members
Contact number
Passport size photographs

Benefits of a Labour Card

Issuance of a labour card provides several benefits to workers. It acts as solid proof of legal employment and protects workers’ rights. Here are some key benefits of a labour card:

Access to government welfare schemes such as health insurance, maternity benefits, and pensions
Educational scholarships for children of registered labourers
Accident and disability insurance coverage for workplace-related injuries
Financial aid for housing, tool purchase, and skill development
Maternity benefits for female workers
Pension benefits after reaching retirement age
Legal protection against unfair labour practices and exploitation
Funeral assistance and survivor benefits for dependents in case of death
Eligibility for low-cost food grains and essential supplies under various state-run schemes
Support in natural disaster or emergency situations through relief funds.

Labour Card Scholarship

The labour card scholarship is a financial aid initiative provided by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and state-level labour welfare boards to support the education of children of registered labourers. It is aimed at promoting higher education among families working in the unorganised sector by reducing their financial burden.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for labour card scholarship may differ based on the state. The general eligibility criteria are as follows:

The applicant must be the child or dependent of a registered labour card holder.
The labourer must be registered with the respective state’s Labour Welfare Board.
The student must be enrolled in a recognised school, college, or technical institution.
Minimum attendance and academic performance (varies by scheme) may be required.
Family income limits may apply, generally not exceeding ₹1–1.5 lakh per annum.

Documents Required

The documents required for labour card scholarship may differ based on the state. The common documents required are as follows:

Valid Labour Card of parent/guardian
Student's Aadhaar card
Proof of admission (bonafide certificate)
Bank account details
Academic certificates and mark sheets
Recent passport-size photographs

For updated labour card scholarship amounts, visit your state's labour department website or the Central Sector Scholarship portal (in applicable states).

Labour Card Renewal

Labour cards issued by state governments typically come with a validity period, usually 1 to 5 years. After this period, they must be renewed to continue receiving benefits. Renewal should be done before expiry to avoid lapse in benefits. Timely renewal is essential to ensure uninterrupted access to government welfare schemes.

Different states have different processes to renew the labour card. Hence, it is important to check the renewal process for your state. Once approved, your new labour card will be issued, which you must keep safely.

Final Word

A labour card continues to serve as a powerful tool of empowerment for unorganised workers across India, offering benefits such as financial aid, labour card scholarships, and more. Eligible workers should apply early, complete their labour card download, and renew it on time to continue availing benefits under state and central welfare schemes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the labour card?

A Labour Card is an official document issued by the state labour department in India to unorganised sector workers. It helps them access government welfare schemes like health insurance, education aid, pension benefits, and more.

Can a student apply for a labour card?

Yes, a student can apply for a labour card if they are engaged in eligible unorganised sector work and meet the state's eligibility criteria.

How to check labour card balance?

To check your labour card balance, visit the official website of your State Labour Welfare Board. Log in using your registration number or Aadhaar number. If your state provides mobile app services, you can also check the balance through the app or by visiting the nearest labour office. Some states may offer SMS or helpline support for balance inquiries.

Who is not eligible for labour card?

Those employed in the organised sector, income taxpayers, or members of EPFO, ESIC, or NPS schemes are not eligible for a labour card.

Who is eligible for a UP labour card?

Residents of Uttar Pradesh aged 18–60 years working in the unorganised sector, such as construction workers, electricians, or daily wage labourers, are eligible.

How to download a labour card by Aadhaar number?

Visit your state’s labour department website, enter your Aadhaar or registration number under the labour card section, and download the card in PDF format.

About the Author

Rucha K

Content Writer - Insurance

Insurance doesn’t have to be a maze of fine print. I simplify policies, bring clarity to the details, and make financial decisions easier—one blog at a time. I enjoy turning numbers and insights into clear, actionable narratives that simplify personal finance. Read more

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