Context

Recently, following intervention by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, delivery platforms Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato, and Swiggy have decided to remove the 10-minute delivery system from their applications.

Reasons for the Change

The shift comes in the aftermath of a nationwide gig-worker strike on New Year’s Eve 2025, during which delivery partners protested unsafe working conditions, heightened road accident risks, and psychological stress arising from rigid ultra-fast delivery targets.
Subsequently, the Union Labour Ministry directed major quick-commerce and food-delivery platforms, including Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy, and Zomato to discontinue time-bound delivery branding that could incentivise unsafe work practices.

About the 10-Minute Delivery Model

The 10-minute delivery model is a quick-commerce (q-commerce) strategy that relies on a dense network of nearby dark stores, AI-driven demand forecasting, and algorithm-optimised logistics. It aims to provide extreme convenience by delivering groceries, essential goods, and select retail products within ten minutes of order placement, primarily in high-density urban areas.

Rise of the Gig Economy in India

India’s gig economy—encompassing platforms such as Blinkit, Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Ola, and Uber—has expanded rapidly due to increased digital penetration, urbanisation, and a large young workforce. The sector has enabled flexible employment opportunities and economic inclusion, particularly for urban youth.

However, several structural challenges persist:

• Uncertain incomes: Heavy dependence on incentives and low base pay.
• Algorithmic control: Task allocation, performance evaluation, and remuneration determined by opaque platform algorithms.
• High-pressure delivery models: Ultra-fast delivery targets heighten accident risks and compromise worker safety.
• Lack of social protection: Limited access to health insurance, accident coverage, and pension benefits.

Strikes during peak demand periods, including Christmas 2025, highlighted these systemic issues, with tens of thousands of gig workers protesting unsafe conditions and precarious livelihoods.

Legal Recognition under the Code on Social Security, 2020

The Code on Social Security (SS), 2020 marks a significant milestone by formally recognising gig workers and platform workers within India’s labour framework for the first time. Earlier, these workers were largely excluded from traditional labour laws such as the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 and the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948.

Key definitions under the Code include:

• Aggregator: A digital intermediary connecting buyers with service providers.
• Gig worker: An individual working outside a conventional employer–employee relationship for remuneration.
• Platform worker: A person providing services through an online platform.
• Platform work: Work arrangements facilitated digitally in exchange for payment.

Social Security, Welfare, and Portability

The Code mandates the creation of a Social Security Fund, financed through contributions from aggregators such as Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Zomato. The Fund is intended to support health insurance, accident coverage, maternity benefits, and old-age pensions for gig and platform workers.

It also introduces portability of benefits through the e-Shram portal, enabling workers to retain entitlements while switching platforms or occupations. A centralised database facilitates targeted welfare delivery, skill development initiatives, and grievance redressal mechanisms, including toll-free helplines and facilitation centres.

Way Forward

The Social Security Code represents a paradigm shift by moving the gig workforce from an informal and vulnerable status towards legal recognition and protection. However, effective outcomes will depend on robust enforcement, regulation of unsafe delivery models, and greater transparency and accountability in platform algorithms. Ensuring fair wages, occupational safety, and comprehensive social security is crucial for building a resilient, inclusive, and formalised gig economy.

Conclusion

Decision of Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato, and Swiggy to drop the “10-minute delivery” model underscore the need to balance consumer convenience with worker safety and dignity. It signals a broader shift within India’s quick-commerce sector towards responsible labour practices and stronger regulatory oversight, an essential step for sustaining a future ready digital economy.