Urban Unemployment in the Age of Gig Work: A Case Study of India’s Delivery Platform Boom

This research investigates the growth of the gig economy in India and its impact on urban unemployment through platforms for food delivery and ride-hailing services like Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit. The research assesses how urban youth absorb gig work into income generating activities and if these jobs reduce unemployment or disguised underemployment. It evaluates the pros and cons of gig work focusing on the flexibility, accessibility, and potential earnings compared with job insecurity, income unreliability, and excessive working hours. This research uses a mixed-method approach with government data, industry reports, and academic research, supplemented with a few primary interviews, to produce evidence-led findings and practical policy suggestions toward more sustainable, inclusive, and gig work integrated within the labor and social security policies of India.