• DR. PRAKASH S ALALAGERI
• DR. SWAMY TRIBHUVANANDA H V

According to a report by NITI Aayog, India's gig workforce is projected to grow to 23.5 million by 2029-30, marking a nearly 200% increase from the current 7.7 million. The report highlights that gig work spans across all sectors, with 47% of jobs classified as medium-skilled, 22% as high-skilled, and 31% as low-skilled. This distribution underscores the diverse opportunities within the gig economy, from specialized freelancing roles to on-demand delivery and logistics jobs, reflecting its ability to cater to a wide range of skill levels and demographics in the Indian labor market. The gig economy in India has emerged as a transformative force, redefining traditional employment models through flexible, short-term job opportunities enabled by digital platforms. Employing over 15 million workers across sectors such as transportation, food delivery, e-commerce, and freelancing, the gig economy contributes significantly to India’s GDP, with projections indicating further growth. However, this expansion comes with challenges, including the lack of employment classification, income instability, and absence of social security, health risks, and algorithmic exploitation. Despite reforms like the Code on Social Security 2020, regulatory gaps persist, leaving gig workers without adequate protections. Against this backdrop, this paper presents an India’s gig economy, focusing on the challenges faced by gig workers and proposing actionable recommendations. It highlights the evolving dynamics of gig work, its economic contributions, and the urgent need for equitable solutions to ensure both business growth and worker welfare. It also evaluates opportunities for businesses to leverage gig models for scalability and cost efficiency. Recommendations for stakeholders include fair compensation practices, implementing social security measures, fostering worker upskilling, and promoting ethical business practices. Collaborative efforts between policymakers, businesses, and workers are essential to ensuring the gig economy's growth aligns with worker welfare and rights.

Key Words: Gig, Workers, Platforms, economy, challenges,

"THE GIG ECONOMY IN INDIA: UPHOLDING WORKER RIGHTS AND ENSURING BENEFITS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 12, page no.e485-e494, December-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2412454.pdf

"THE GIG ECONOMY IN INDIA: UPHOLDING WORKER RIGHTS AND ENSURING BENEFITS", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 12, page no. ppe485-e494, December-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2412454.pdf