India’s gig economy expands rapidly, government steps up worker welfare measures

India’s fast-growing gig and platform workforce is reshaping the world of work, creating new opportunities in urban and semi-urban centres while also posing significant challenges around social security and worker protection. With its half-a-billion-strong labour force, the world’s youngest demographic profile, rapid urbanisation, and widespread smartphone penetration, the country is emerging as a global hub for gig-driven transformation, according to official data. The gig economy, broadly defined as a system where individuals earn outside traditional employer–employee relationships, has seen strong growth...