Rules 9-10 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rule 9 fills in how the National Social Security Board is nominated, how long members serve, how the gig and platform worker version of the Board is made up and how vacancies and resignations work. Rule 10 lets Building Workers Welfare Boards provide additional welfare measures when the Central Government thinks it necessary.
Non-ex-officio members of the National Social Security Board hold office for not more than three years, with a limit of two terms. For gig and platform workers the Board works with five aggregator representatives, five gig or platform worker representatives and five experts, and its quorum is six. The Central Government must start reconstitution six months before the Board's term ends. Under rule 10, where the Central Government thinks a new welfare scheme for building workers is needed in a State, the Building Workers Welfare Board makes provision for the welfare measures the Central Government prescribes.
Where the Board comes from
Section 6 of the Code constitutes the National Social Security Board for unorganised workers. Section 114(6) makes the same Board the Board for gig and platform workers, with a changed membership when it deals with those workers. Rule 9 implements both. See our articles on sections 6 and 7 and sections 113 and 114. Businesses that engage gig workers through platforms should follow this structure, since contributions and schemes affect them; our labour law compliance team can help you assess exposure.
These Rules apply where the Central Government is the appropriate Government. The State Unorganised Workers' Board and State building boards follow State rules.
Rule 9(1): the Board for unorganised workers
| Item | Rule 9(1) says |
|---|---|
| Term | A non-ex-officio member holds office for not more than three years from nomination and may be re-nominated, but not more than two terms in total |
| Sub-clauses (i) and (ii) of s.6(2)(c) | The Central Government seeks nominations from associations of unorganised sector workers and employers' associations of the unorganised sector in the manner it determines |
| Sub-clause (iii) | Seven persons of eminence in labour welfare, management, finance, law and administration |
| Sub-clause (iv) | Nominations of two Lok Sabha members from the Speaker and one member from the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha |
| Sub-clause (v) | Ten members representing Ministries or Departments concerned with unorganised sector workers' welfare |
| Sub-clauses (vi) and (vii) | Five members representing State Governments and one representing Union territories, on rotation |
| Ceasing | A member under (i), (ii) or (iii) ceases if he stops representing the interest group; a Parliament member ceases on ceasing to be a member of the House |
| Representation | Out of seven persons nominated under the (i) category, one each from the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, minorities and women |
| Disqualification | No person is chosen or continues as a member if he attracts any provision of section 8 |
Rule 9(2): the Board for gig and platform workers
Under clause (a), the National Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers is the Board referred to in s.114(6) for gig and platform workers. Terms follow the same three-year, two-term limit. The Central Government nominates:
- Five members as aggregator representatives, on rotation, from the types of aggregators in the Seventh Schedule (clause (c)); see our article on the Sixth and Seventh Schedules.
- Five members from among gig workers and platform workers, on rotation, representing different types (clause (d)).
- Five expert members from persons of eminence in labour welfare, management, finance, law, administration, e-commerce or information technology (clause (e)).
The quorum for business while the Board deals with gig and platform workers' welfare is six members (clause (f)). The Board may form an expert committee to advise on matters such as welfare, assessment of the number of gig and platform workers and identifying new types of aggregators (clause (g)).
Committees, reconstitution, resignation and vacancies
- Committees (rule 9(3)): to discharge its functions under s.6(7), the Board may constitute a committee to deliberate and recommend on specific issues, and the committee may co-opt experts from the Board or outside.
- Reconstitution (rule 9(4)): the Central Government must initiate the process six months before the term of the Board expires. If a new Board is not reconstituted on time, the Central Government may notify interim arrangements, and all actions taken under them have the same effect as if carried out by the Board.
- Resignation (rule 9(5)): a non-ex-officio member may resign by letter to the Central Government. The seat falls vacant from the date the resignation is accepted, or thirty days from receipt of intimation, whichever is earlier. Acceptance lies with the Central Government.
- Address (rule 9(6)): members notify address changes to the Member-Secretary; if they fail, the address in the records is deemed correct.
- Vacancies (rule 9(7)): the Member-Secretary reports a vacancy or likely vacancy; the Central Government may nominate by notification for the remainder of the term.
- Removal proceedings (rule 9(8)): while proceedings under s.8(2)(b) or (c) are pending, the member abstains from meetings, and the Central Government's decision on debarment, disqualification and removal is final.
Rule 10: other welfare measures and facilities
Rule 10 is one sentence of effect. If, in the opinion of the Central Government, it is necessary for the improvement of the well-being of building workers to formulate a new welfare scheme or schemes in a State, the Building Workers Welfare Board shall make provisions for such other welfare measures and facilities as may be prescribed by the Central Government. The rule does not list the measures; they must come from the Central Government's prescription. For employers in construction, the underlying cess and welfare fund provisions are in Chapter VIII of the Code (sections 100 to 108).
A worked example
Suppose a Board's term is due to expire on 31 December. Under rule 9(4)(a), the Central Government must begin reconstitution before 30 June. If the new Board is not ready by 31 December, the Central Government may notify an interim arrangement, and what that arrangement does has the same effect as if the Board had done it. A gig worker representative who wishes to resign writes to the Central Government on 1 March; if it is not accepted earlier, the seat falls vacant on 31 March, thirty days after receipt. (Illustrative.)
Need help with platform and worker-welfare compliance?
If your business engages gig or platform workers, or works in construction and pays cess, these structures shape the schemes you will be dealing with. Our labour law compliance team can help you track notifications and prepare.
Key takeaways
- Non-ex-officio members serve up to three years, two terms at most.
- The gig and platform worker version of the Board has 5 aggregator, 5 worker and 5 expert members, and a quorum of six.
- Reconstitution starts six months before term expiry; interim arrangements are valid.
- Resignation takes effect on acceptance or 30 days, whichever is earlier.
- Rule 10: building worker welfare measures as prescribed by the Central Government.
Read next
- Rule 8: ESIC Standing Committee and Medical Benefit Committee
- Rules 11 and 12: Board meetings and reconstitution
- Sections 106, 107 and 108: Building worker beneficiaries and welfare fund
- Maternity benefit for contract and gig workers
Disclaimer: Based on the Code on Social Security, 2020 (as enacted) and, where noted, the Code on Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 344(E), 8 May 2026), as on 30 September 2026. The Code is in force from 21 November 2025; some provisions may be notified later, and State Governments make their own rules for establishments where the State is the appropriate Government. Verify the current position before acting.