NITI Aayog Launches ‘Digital ShramSetu’ to Empower 490 Million Informal Workers through AI

In a landmark initiative aimed at transforming India’s informal workforce, NITI Aayog has unveiled the ‘Digital ShramSetu’ mission, a strategic plan to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other frontier technologies into the lives of nearly 490 million informal workers. The initiative, detailed in the report “AI for Inclusive Societal Development”, seeks to harness technology to create inclusive opportunities, enhance productivity, and ensure dignified livelihoods for the country’s vast unorganized labor sector.

NITI Aayog Proposes 'Mission Digital ShramSetu' to Empower 490 Million Informal Workers with AI | Financial Express

Bridging the Digital Divide

India’s informal workforce contributes significantly to the nation’s GDP yet remains largely excluded from formal economic systems and social protection mechanisms. NITI Aayog’s report highlights the urgent need for intervention, noting that without technological and institutional support, the average annual income of informal workers could stagnate at around $6,000 by 2047—well below the $14,500 target needed for India to achieve high-income status. The Digital ShramSetu mission aims to bridge this gap by bringing digital literacy, skill development, and technology adoption directly to the workers who need it the most.

Leveraging Technology for Inclusive Growth

The mission envisions a transformation of informal work through AI, blockchain, immersive learning, robotics, and IoT-based solutions. By equipping workers with digital tools, the initiative seeks to increase productivity, expand market access, and formalize livelihoods in a way that preserves dignity and security. NITI Aayog emphasizes that technology is not merely a productivity booster but also an equalizer, providing informal workers the platforms and resources to participate fully in India’s economic growth story.

Institutional and Policy Support

For the successful implementation of Digital ShramSetu, NITI Aayog proposes a multi-layered approach. The initiative will establish a federated trust framework to protect data privacy while enabling secure digital transactions. Training programs and support systems will encourage large-scale technology adoption among informal workers, enhancing digital literacy and skills. Additionally, coordinated efforts between government agencies, industry partners, and civil society organizations are expected to ensure the smooth integration of informal workers into the digital ecosystem. Policy support will play a key role in guaranteeing equitable access to resources and services for this segment of the workforce.

Envisioning a Developed India by 2047

The Digital ShramSetu mission aligns with the broader vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, which aims to make India a developed nation by its centenary of independence. By focusing on the empowerment of informal workers, NITI Aayog envisions a future where technological advancements uplift marginalized communities, bridging economic disparities and fostering inclusive growth. The initiative represents a forward-looking strategy that combines technology, skill development, and institutional coordination to ensure no worker is left behind.

The MGMM Outlook

NITI Aayog’s launch of the ‘Digital ShramSetu’ mission marks a transformative approach toward empowering India’s informal workforce, estimated at 490 million workers. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of inclusive development by integrating AI, blockchain, IoT, and other advanced technologies into everyday work practices. At its core, Digital ShramSetu seeks to bridge the persistent digital and economic divide faced by informal workers, providing them access to skill development, digital literacy, and secure platforms for income generation. By emphasizing dignity, productivity, and market accessibility, the initiative is not just about technology adoption but about reshaping the socioeconomic landscape for those traditionally left behind in India’s growth story.

From a Shabariseva perspective, Digital ShramSetu reflects the critical need for thoughtful policy and institutional support to ensure technology translates into real-world benefits. The federated trust framework, combined with government and industry collaboration, provides a roadmap for safeguarding data while encouraging widespread adoption. Beyond economic gains, the initiative resonates with the principles of equitable opportunity and empowerment, reinforcing the idea that India’s path to becoming a developed nation by 2047 is intrinsically linked to uplifting its most vulnerable workforce segments. The mission thus exemplifies how technological advancement, when paired with inclusive policies, can catalyze both dignity and prosperity.

(Sources: Financial Express, Moneycontrol, Hindustan Times)