STREET-LEVEL BUREAUCRACY AND IMPLEMENTATION UNDER THE CODE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, 2020: A DOCTRINAL ANALYSIS OF LOCAL-LEVEL ADMINISTRATIVE INTERFACES

AUTHOR – SUBA SRI. M & THANUSH TRIVIKRAM N
STUDENTS AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW, TAMILNADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – SUBA SRI. M & THANUSH TRIVIKRAM N, STREET-LEVEL BUREAUCRACY AND IMPLEMENTATION UNDER THE CODE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, 2020: A DOCTRINAL ANALYSIS OF LOCAL-LEVEL ADMINISTRATIVE INTERFACES, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (5) OF 2026, PG. 891-900, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

The Code on Social Security, 2020 represents a significant step towards consolidating and streamlining India’s fragmented social security framework, particularly with respect to unorganised workers. While the Code introduces an institutional architecture for the registration and delivery of social security benefits, its effective implementation is closely tied to the functioning of local-level administrative authorities. This paper undertakes a doctrinal analysis of the implementation framework under the Code through the lens of Street-Level Bureaucracy, which emphasizes the role of frontline officials in translating statutory mandates into practical outcomes. The study critically examines the statutory provisions, delegated powers, and procedural mechanisms that govern local-level administrative interfaces under the Code. It analyses the extent to which the legal framework defines roles, regulates discretion, and structures interactions between the State and beneficiaries. Particular attention is paid to the design of registration systems, distribution of authority between central and state bodies, and the scope of administrative flexibility embedded within the legislation. By focusing on the internal coherence and operational clarity of the statutory scheme, the paper seeks to identify areas of ambiguity, overlap, and potential gaps within the legal framework. Without engaging in empirical evaluation, the study highlights how the design of legal provisions may influence implementation processes at the local level. The paper ultimately contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between legislative drafting and administrative execution in the context of social security governance in India.

KEYWORDS: Unorganised Workers, Street-Level Bureaucracy, Administrative Discretion, Implementation Framework