India’s gig and platform-based workforce could swell to nearly 62 million by 2047—making up 15% of the country’s non-agricultural workforce—if current trends continue, according to a new study by the VV Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI), which functions under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The report highlights how the digital economy and changing work preferences are reshaping employment patterns in India, while also flagging the urgent need for legal clarity, collective bargaining rights, and stronger social protections for gig workers.
Platform Jobs Poised for Rapid Growth
Using data from a 2022 NITI Aayog report and applying the exponential smoothing Error, Trend, Seasonality (ETS) model, the study projects that India’s gig workforce will more than double in the next two decades. The report attributes this growth to increased technological integration, shifting labour market dynamics, and a preference among youth for flexible work arrangements.
The study notes that the gig economy, initially dominated by ride-hailing and food delivery services, is now spreading into diverse sectors such as healthcare, education, digital marketing, logistics, design, and professional consulting.
Baseline vs. Aspirational Growth Scenarios
The VVGNLI report outlines two possible trajectories for gig employment:
Baseline Projection: If current growth patterns hold, the number of gig workers could reach 62 million by 2047.
Conservative Scenario: If disrupted by factors such as economic shocks, regulatory changes, or slower tech adoption, the workforce may only grow to around 32.5 million.
Aspirational Potential: Under a high-growth scenario with favourable policies and tech-driven scaling, India could see up to 90.8 million gig jobs created by 2047.
This represents both a challenge and opportunity for India as it looks to become a global digital powerhouse and generate employment for its large youth population.
Need for Worker Rights, Recognition, and Regulation
One of the report’s core recommendations is formal recognition of gig workers’ rights to unionise and bargain collectively. Such rights, the study argues, are essential for improving transparency around algorithms used by platforms to allocate tasks and calculate wages.
“Workers should have the freedom to form collectives or join unions to negotiate for better pay, social insurance, and work conditions,” the report says, urging a more democratic and transparent platform economy.
It also draws attention to international examples. Countries like the UK, Canada, France, Denmark, Spain, and the Netherlands have legally recognised platform workers, offering useful models for India to consider.
Classification Clarity and Social Security Urged
The report stresses the importance of clear legal definitions to differentiate between platform workers and independent contractors—an ambiguity that often leaves gig workers without access to labour protections or social security.
“Full-time gig workers should be legally recognised as employees to ensure they fall under the ambit of existing labour laws,” the report states.
To ensure gig workers’ welfare, the study recommends several key reforms:
Guaranteeing minimum wages and reasonable working hours
Algorithmic transparency and fairness in task allocation
Effective grievance redressal mechanisms
Mandatory occupational safety and health measures
Skill development and training for career mobility
National Registry for Gig Workers Proposed
To streamline benefits and improve coverage, the study calls for a national statutory registry of gig and platform workers. The registry would be jointly managed by central and state governments and serve as the backbone for disbursing welfare measures, social security, and insurance schemes.
Indian Context and Global Relevance
As India positions itself as a global digital hub with aspirations to become a $5 trillion economy, the expansion of the gig economy could play a crucial role in employment generation. However, without clear policy interventions and worker protections, the sector could reinforce existing labour vulnerabilities.
The report underscores a crucial policy window for the Indian government: to ensure that flexibility and innovation in employment are matched with legal safeguards, decent work standards, and inclusive growth.
