Gig Work Becomes Full-Time Reality for Millions of Indian Workers

A nationwide survey conducted by the non-governmental organisation Janpahal has revealed that platform-based gig work has evolved into a long-term, full-time employment model for millions of Indians. The report, titled ‘Occupational Safety and Health of Platform-based Gig Workers in India’, highlights that 57% of surveyed workers log more than 49 hours per week, with nearly 23% working over 70 hours. This shift marks a significant departure from the perception of gig work as merely a temporary or supplementary income source.

The findings underscore a growing reliance on digital platforms for primary livelihoods, as traditional job markets struggle to absorb the country's expanding pool of graduates. With over 72% of respondents remaining on platforms for more than a year, the gig economy is increasingly defined by long-term commitment rather than transient participation. This transition, however, is fraught with systemic challenges, including inadequate social protections, exposure to climate-related risks, and a lack of basic workplace facilities for millions of workers.

The data indicates that for a substantial portion of the workforce, gig work is no longer a stopgap measure. According to the Janpahal survey, 38.4% of workers have been active on platforms for more than two years, while 18.4% have sustained this work for over five years. This longevity suggests that the platform economy is filling a critical void in the formal labor market, which has historically struggled to provide sufficient high-quality jobs for the country's youth.

This trend is further corroborated by individual experiences, such as that of a Noida-based worker who transitioned from a fixed-schedule library job to digital domestic work platforms. By choosing work based on availability, she increased her monthly earnings from Rs 15,000 to between Rs 30,000 and Rs 36,000. While such cases highlight the potential for financial independence, they also reflect a broader necessity to adapt to a labor market where traditional, stable employment is increasingly elusive for many.

India’s labor market faces a persistent structural mismatch, where the supply of educated graduates far outstrips the availability of formal, salaried positions. The 'State of Working India 2026' report by Azim Premji University notes that while the economy added five million graduates annually between 2004 and 2023, only 2.8 million were absorbed into the workforce each year. This imbalance has left nearly 40% of graduates under the age of 25 unemployed, forcing many to settle for roles that do not align with their qualifications.

For many young Indians, the path from college to a stable career is effectively broken. As noted by one job seeker, the return on investment for higher education is increasingly difficult to justify when even postgraduate degrees are becoming minimum requirements for low-paying roles. This reality forces graduates to enter the gig economy or informal sectors, where they often face intense competition and wage stagnation, further complicating the country's demographic dividend.

The rapid expansion of the platform economy has outpaced the development of safety and welfare standards. Gig workers frequently operate in environments characterized by excessive hours and limited access to basic amenities. The Janpahal report explicitly identifies unsafe working conditions and increasing climate-related risks as primary concerns for delivery agents and service providers. These workers often lack the institutional support systems that protect employees in traditional sectors, leaving them vulnerable to accidents and health issues.

the reliance on algorithmic management creates additional pressures. Work allocation, incentives, and earnings are dictated by digital platforms, often leaving workers with little recourse in the event of disputes or account deactivations. The lack of legal protection, stemming from their classification as independent contractors rather than employees, remains a central point of contention in the ongoing debate over the rights and welfare of the gig workforce.

In response to these challenges, the government has initiated several measures aimed at formalizing the gig sector. The Code on Social Security, 2020, provides a legal framework for recognizing gig and platform workers, theoretically granting them access to life insurance, health coverage, and old-age protection. Additionally, the e-Shram portal has been deployed as a national database to facilitate the delivery of welfare schemes to unorganized workers, including those in the gig sector.

Despite these initiatives, the implementation gap remains significant. Experts emphasize the need for a national framework that mandates minimum pay standards, ensures algorithmic transparency, and establishes formal grievance redressal mechanisms. As India’s working-age population continues to grow, the ability of the state to integrate these workers into a robust social security net will be a defining factor in the long-term sustainability of the country's platform-driven economy.