ABSTRACT
Over the past decade, India’s gig economy has emerged as one of the most visible shifts in the way people work, moving from a niche alternative to a major feature of the labour market. In 2020 – 21, an estimated 7.7 million workers were engaged in gig and platform work, a number projected to grow to 23.5 million by 2029 – 30 as digital adoption deepends and demand for flexible talent rises.A supplemental income option has today become a
critical pillar of employment across cities, towns, and semi-urban regions, supporting livelihoods from delivery partners and ride-hailing drivers to freelance designers, tutors, healthcare workers, and technology professionals.
Under Digital India, internet connections in India rose from 25.15 crore in 2014 to 96.96 crore in 2024, with 85.5% of households owning a smartphone.This surge in digital access has fueled the growth of the gig economy by connecting workers and employers. The rise of online businesses and startups creates demand for gig workers in logistics, delivery, marketing, and content creation. Consumers increasingly expect fast services, fueling
opportunities in food delivery, ridesharing, and customer support and
rising unemployment and a surplus of semi-skilled workers drive many to accept gig work as a source of income. NITI Aayog report estimates 7.7 million gig workers in India in 2020–21, projected to reach 23.5 million by 2029–30, mostly in medium-skilled jobs. This paper tries to explore new insight of Gig economy in Indian scenario and analyze the prospect for same.

Key Words: PLFS, freelancers, Inclusive Growth, Gender Disparities