The National Social Security Board (NSSB) is a statutory institution established to advise the Central Government on social security policy for India's vast informal workforce. Its legal foundation was initially laid by the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008, which sought to solve the problem of unorganized workers lacking formal benefits like pensions and health insurance.
The NSSB's role was significantly updated and formalized under the Code on Social Security, 2020, which consolidated nine existing social security laws. The Code mandates the NSSB to advise the government on formulating and monitoring suitable schemes for workers in the unorganized, gig, and platform sectors. This expansion to include gig and platform workers is a key recent change.
The Board is chaired by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment and includes the Secretary of the Ministry as Vice-Chairperson. It comprises forty nominated members, including representatives of unorganized sector workers, employers, civil society, and members of Parliament. The NSSB's term is three years, and it is required to meet at least thrice a year. The NSSB connects directly to the Code on Social Security, 2020, and works alongside the State Unorganised Workers' Social Security Board at the state level. Its function is also linked to the e-Shram portal, which is the National Database of Unorganized Workers used for delivering benefits.