🛵 Gig & informal workers · India
Maternity benefits for gig & informal workers
You usually won't get paid maternity leave under the Maternity Benefit Act — but you are entitled to PMMVY (₹5,000), the JSY delivery incentive and free delivery under JSSK, whatever your job. PMMVY is designed specifically for women without paid maternity leave.
- Official government sources
- What you ARE entitled to
- Honest on what's not covered
- Reviewed July 2026
Your position
What applies to you — honestly
| Benefit | Your status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Paid maternity leave (Maternity Benefit Act)Usually not covered | Usually NOT covered | The Maternity Benefit Act's 26 weeks of paid leave applies to employees in establishments with 10+ employees. Most gig, platform and informal workers are not employees of such an establishment, so this paid-leave right usually does not apply. |
| PMMVY cash benefitEntitled | ₹5,000 — you ARE entitled | PMMVY is specifically for women who do NOT receive paid maternity leave — i.e. the informal and unorganised sector. It pays ₹5,000 in instalments for the first child (and ₹6,000 for a second girl child), subject to conditions like antenatal check-up and registration. |
| Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) cashEntitled | Cash on institutional delivery | A cash incentive for delivering in a health facility (amount varies by state and rural/urban). Available regardless of your employment type. |
| Free delivery (JSSK)Entitled | Free — normal & caesarean | Free delivery, diagnostics, medicines, diet, blood and transport at government facilities — for every pregnant woman, regardless of employment. |
| e-Shram registrationEmerging / register | Register for a UAN | Register free on the e-Shram portal as an unorganised/gig worker to get a Universal Account Number (UAN). It is the gateway through which several central welfare and social-security schemes are being linked for unorganised workers. |
| Code on Social Security, 2020Emerging / register | Framework (rolling out) | For the first time, the Code defines gig and platform workers and provides for social-security schemes for them — including life/disability cover, accident insurance, and health & maternity benefits. Schemes under it are being framed and rolled out, so check what is actually operational for you. |
What to do
How to claim what's yours
- 1
Claim your PMMVY cash benefit
Because you don't get paid maternity leave, PMMVY is designed for you. Register your pregnancy early at an Anganwadi centre or approved health facility to claim the ₹5,000.
PMMVY eligibility & how to apply → - 2
Deliver at a government facility for free care + JSY cash
JSSK makes delivery free, and JSY adds a cash incentive for institutional delivery. Both are yours regardless of employment.
All maternity schemes → - 3
Register on e-Shram
Get your Universal Account Number (UAN) as an unorganised/gig worker — it links you to welfare schemes as they are integrated.
- 4
Check your platform's own policy
Some aggregators/platforms offer their own maternity or insurance support. Ask your platform what it provides, as this is evolving under the new labour codes.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Do gig workers get maternity leave in India?
Most gig, platform and informal-sector women are not covered by the paid maternity leave under the Maternity Benefit Act, because that applies to employees of establishments with 10+ employees. However, they are entitled to the PMMVY cash benefit (₹5,000), the JSY institutional-delivery incentive, and free delivery under JSSK — and the Code on Social Security, 2020 is building a maternity-benefit framework for gig/platform workers.
Can informal-sector women get PMMVY?
Yes — PMMVY is specifically for women who do not receive paid maternity leave, which includes the informal and unorganised sector. It excludes women in regular government/PSU employment or those already receiving similar benefits under a law. It pays ₹5,000 for the first child (₹6,000 for a second girl child) in instalments.
What is e-Shram and should gig workers register?
e-Shram is the government's national database of unorganised workers, including gig and platform workers. Registering (free, on self-declaration) gives you a Universal Account Number and links you to welfare and social-security schemes as they are integrated. It is recommended for gig and informal workers.
Does the Code on Social Security 2020 give gig workers maternity benefits?
The Code, for the first time, defines gig and platform workers and provides for framing social-security schemes for them, including health and maternity benefits. These schemes are being rolled out, so check what is actually operational in your state/for your platform rather than assuming full coverage today.
Sources
Official sources
- PMMVY — for women without paid maternity leave (informal/unorganised sector), MoWCD
- e-Shram portal — national database of unorganised (incl. gig/platform) workers, Ministry of Labour & Employment
- The Code on Social Security, 2020 — gig & platform worker provisions, Ministry of Labour & Employment
Related on ParentVibes
Educational information — confirm current details
This guide summarises maternity support available to gig and informal-sector women, reviewed against official sources on 19 July 2026. Schemes under the Code on Social Security, 2020 are still being framed and rolled out, so confirm what is actually operational for you. It is not legal advice. See our editorial policy.