This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4058, addressed on August 18, 2025, regarding the growth of the gig economy in India. According to an estimation by NITI Aayog in a June 2022 report, "India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy," the number of gig and platform workers in India was 7.7 million in 2020-21 and is projected to increase to 23.5 million by 2029-30. The Code on Social Security, 2020, enacted by Parliament, defines gig and platform workers and includes provisions for their social security. This Code allows for the creation of social security measures related to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection. Furthermore, the government's Budget Announcement for the financial year 2025-26 includes key welfare measures for gig workers, such as registration on the eShram portal, issuance of identity cards, and extension of healthcare benefits under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The response was provided by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Labour and Employment: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for labour and employment policies.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Rachna Banerjee: Member of Parliament who posed the question about the gig economy.
NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India.
India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy: A report published by NITI Aayog in June 2022, providing estimations on gig and platform workers.
Code on Social Security, 2020: An act enacted by the Parliament of India that defines gig workers and platform workers and provides for social security measures.
eShram portal: A portal for the registration of gig workers and platform workers.
Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY): A health scheme to extend health care benefits to gig workers and platform workers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4058
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
GROWTH IN GIG ECONOMY
4058. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a)whether the gig economy is experiencing significant growth in the
country during the last three financial years and the current year;
(b)if so, the details thereof, year-wise; and
(c)the details of the regulatory framework being considered by the
Government to ensure fair working conditions, adequate social
protection and dispute resolution mechanisms for gig workers,
balancing flexibility with worker rights?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (c): As per an estimation by NITI Aayog vide its report titled
“India`s Booming Gig and Platform Economy” published in June 2022,
the number of gig workers and platform workers in the country was
7.7 million in 2020-21 which is expected to rise to 23.5 million by
2029-30.
For the first time, the definition of ‘gig workers’ and
‘platform workers’ and provisions related to the same have been
provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020 which has been
enacted by the Parliament.
The Code provides for framing of suitable social security
measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating
to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity
benefits, old age protection, etc.
The Government in its Budget Announcement for financial
year 2025-26 has announced several key measures for the welfare of
Gig workers of online platforms (platform workers) viz. their
registration on the e-Shram portal, issuance of identity cards, and
extension of health care benefits under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan
Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
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