What Happened
- E-commerce and quick commerce platforms are projected to add nearly 1 million gig workers in 2026, driven by last-mile delivery demand and rapid expansion into Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
- Quick commerce platforms are aggressively expanding dark store networks: Blinkit is adding 2.3 dark stores daily (targeting 3,000 by March 2027), Swiggy Instamart operates 1,021 stores, and Zepto has crossed 1,000 dark stores.
- The logistics and warehousing sector is expected to generate an additional 500,000 roles, while BFSI will create positions in field sales and digital verification.
- The overall gig workforce in India is projected to grow from approximately 13 million to 14 million by FY27.
- Wage growth for gig workers is expected to remain modest, with average pay at around Rs 15,000 per month (range: Rs 12,000-25,000), constrained by intense competition among workers.
Static Topic Bridges
Code on Social Security, 2020: Gig and Platform Worker Provisions
The Code on Social Security, 2020 is the first Indian labour legislation to formally recognise gig workers and platform workers. It defines a "gig worker" as a person who performs work outside a traditional employer-employee relationship and a "platform worker" as one engaged through a digital intermediary. The Code defines "aggregator" as a digital intermediary connecting buyers and service providers.
- Aggregators are required to contribute 1-2% of their annual turnover (capped at 5% of payments made to gig/platform workers) to a Social Security Fund.
- The Fund finances welfare schemes covering accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, life and disability cover, and old age protection.
- Gig and platform workers can self-register on the e-Shram portal with Aadhaar-linked unique IDs, enabling portable benefits across platforms.
- The Code is part of the consolidation of 29 central labour laws into 4 labour codes (Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, and Occupational Safety).
Connection to this news: The projected addition of nearly 1 million gig workers in 2026 amplifies the urgency of implementing the Social Security Code's gig worker provisions, which remain largely unnotified as of early 2026.
NITI Aayog Report on India's Gig and Platform Economy (2022)
NITI Aayog's June 2022 report, "India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy," provided the first systematic estimate of India's gig workforce. It estimated 77 lakh (7.7 million) gig workers in 2020-21, constituting 2.6% of the non-agricultural workforce, and projected this to grow to 2.35 crore (23.5 million) by 2029-30 (6.7% of non-agricultural workforce).
- Skill composition of gig work: 47% medium-skilled, 22% high-skilled, and 31% low-skilled jobs.
- The report recommended extending social security benefits through platformisation of social protection delivery.
- It advocated for skill development and certification programmes tailored to gig workers, and suggested creating a framework for platform worker grievance redressal.
- The report highlighted that ride-hailing, food delivery, and logistics constitute the largest segments of India's platform economy.
Connection to this news: The projected gig workforce growth to 14 million by FY27 aligns with NITI Aayog's growth trajectory estimates, while the concentration of new hiring in delivery and logistics confirms the report's identification of these as dominant gig economy segments.
Urbanisation and the Dark Store Model
The rapid expansion of dark stores (micro-fulfilment centres not open to walk-in customers) represents a new model of urban retail infrastructure. Dark stores are typically 2,000-4,000 sq ft warehouses located in residential areas, enabling 10-30 minute delivery of groceries, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. This model is reshaping urban land use patterns and last-mile logistics.
- India's urbanisation rate stands at approximately 35% (Census 2011), projected to reach 40% by 2030 (UN World Urbanization Prospects).
- Quick commerce grew from a negligible market share in 2020 to an estimated $6-7 billion Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) by 2025 in India.
- The expansion into Tier-II and Tier-III cities is facilitated by improving digital infrastructure (UPI penetration, smartphone adoption) and warehouse automation.
- Dark stores raise regulatory questions around land use classification (commercial vs. residential), labour conditions, and traffic congestion in residential areas.
Connection to this news: The addition of 2.3 dark stores daily by a single platform (Blinkit) illustrates the speed of this urban infrastructure transformation, with direct implications for urban planning, employment patterns, and consumer behaviour in non-metro India.
Key Facts & Data
- Nearly 1 million gig workers expected to be added by e-commerce and quick commerce in 2026 (TeamLease Services estimate).
- India's gig workforce: 7.7 million in 2020-21 (NITI Aayog); projected 23.5 million by 2029-30; currently estimated at ~13 million (FY26).
- Dark store networks: Blinkit targeting 3,000 stores by March 2027; Swiggy Instamart at 1,021; Zepto at 1,000+.
- Code on Social Security, 2020: aggregators to contribute 1-2% of turnover to Social Security Fund for gig workers.
- Average gig worker pay: Rs 15,000/month (range Rs 12,000-25,000).
- Logistics and warehousing sector: 500,000 additional gig roles expected in 2026.