The all-India wheat production is projedted at 110.65 million tonnes, slightly above the 109.63 million tonnes produced in 2024-25, after factoring in recent weather damage, The Agriwatch Annual Wheat Survey for 2025-26 has said. New Delhi: The Union Government has raised its wheat procurement
Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric has launched in India at Rs 55 lakh (ex-showroom) with up to 792 km range, 800V fast-charging tech, multiple variants and features to improve long-distance EV usability. The Mercedes-Benz India has launched the CLA Electric at Rs 55 lakh (ex-showroom)
Apple could be working on a quad-curved display for its 20th Edition iPhone that could debut in September next year. The phone could run on A21 Pro processor while packing an all-glass design While the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is just months away
Youtuber Salim Wastik arrested for 1995 kidnap-murder: How he was nabbed after 31 yearsThe case pertains of the kidnapping and murder of a 13-year-old son of a businessman in 1995. Updated on: Apr 25, 2026 5:05 PM IST Written by Majid Alam Share via Copy link A man wanted for a 1995 murder of a
Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace has flagged off its Vikram-1 rocket for India's first privately built orbital mission, targeting a June launch. The 23-meter rocket, developed over four years, aims to validate performance and gather flight data
India's thriving online delivery platforms face a year of reckoning
India's thriving online delivery platforms face a year of reckoning
Last week, the Indian government asked e-commerce companies to stop 10-minute deliveries - drawing the curtain on a much-trumpeted promise by start-ups to provide groceries, food, grooming and even home repair services at lightning speeds in India.
The diktat follows a New Year's Eve strike by some 200,000 gig workers that pitted start-up founders and venture capitalists against politicians, trade unions and delivery workers over demands that ranged from minimum wages to a ban on the 10-minute promise.
The striking workers also asked for more transparency in wage calculation and an end to what they allege is arbitrary algorithmic control of things like ratings and even contract termination.
Armies of men and women - but mostly men - speeding through traffic to deliver parcels, come rain or sun, have become a common sight on the roads of Mumbai, Delhi and other Indian cities since the pandemic.
Millions of households are now used to the convenience of quick doorstep deliveries booked through digital apps, with platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit and Instamart becoming integral to urban commerce in Asia's third largest economy.
While the striking workers - who form the backbone of these apps - are bargaining for better, safer working conditions, platforms argue that over-regulation will kill an industry that is possibly the fastest growing segment of the Indian labour market. India's gig workforce is 12 million strong and expected to double to 24 million by the end of this decade.
The workers' strike on the last day of 2025, and the ban on 10-minute deliveries - although not yet fully in place - come even as the government is all set to implement new rules that bring gig work under the ambit of labour laws for the first time. A new code set to come into effect this year has brought in, among other things, insurance coverage and social security protections for workers who clock 90 days on the platforms every year.
All of this puts new burdens on delivery apps that have thrived on light-touch regulation and cheap labour so far. Their stock prices have plunged - Swiggy is down some 15% in the last month, and Eternal, which owns Zomato and quick-commerce company Blinkit, is trading flat - as operating costs and pressures from the unions build up.
With investors spooked and some opposition politicians strongly backing the strikes, gig platform founders such as Eternal boss Deepinder Goyal have been forced to go into firefighting mode.
In a series of posts on X earlier this month, Goyal defended the resilience of his platforms, saying that Zomato and Blinkit delivered 75 million orders to 63 million customers on New Years' Eve - "a record pace" unaffected by the striking workers who he called "miscreants".
He also dismissed criticism that the 10-minute delivery model was unsafe, saying riders were able to meet the timeline not because of reckless speeding, but because of the density of dark stores (warehouses) that platforms had invested in.
"If a system were fundamentally unfair, it would not consistently attract and retain so many people who choose to work within it," Goyal said, providing a stream of data to highlight how millions were benefitting from the app he had founded in a country where jobs were hard to come by.
According to Goyal, platforms like his already offer a range of social security protections, from insurance to period rest days and access to pension schemes. Most delivery workers, he said, work only for a few hours a day, and a few days in a month. The attrition rate is at 65% a year, indicating this is not a permanent job for many, and thus couldn't come with the benefits of full-time work.
Moreover, if someone committed to working full time, they would earn around 21,000 rupees (£173, $232) plus tips in a month - a far better wage than what those employed in India's vast informal blue-collar economy or even entry-level formal workers get, Goyal argued.
Critics, however, are not convinced. They say these numbers mask hidden social and economic costs imposed on delivery workers - such as onboarding expenses, the money they have to spend on their own uniforms, vehicles and fuel.
They also say the incentive structures adopted by the apps reward speed, penalise delays or refusals of orders, and encourage working conditions that offer hardly any flexibility to workers without compromising on their ability to earn well.
Goyal's assertion that the system is fair because it attracts so many people is also fundamentally flawed, say experts.
"Such work often represents economic desperation rather than genuine choice," according to Kasim Saiyyad, a PhD candidate from Cornell University who spent time as a delivery worker with a food delivery app for two months.
The debate has presented a conundrum for Indian policymakers and companies.
Gig work by definition is not permanent, but unlike in the West where it is considered a side hustle until people move to better jobs, in India it has come to become a full-time occupation for many, in the absence of stable employment in areas like manufacturing.
A recent survey by Primus Partners, a consulting firm, showed that around 61% of gig workers described themselves as full-time employees.
"Only about 35% say they are part-time, and a mere 4% are seasonal or occasional," the report said, adding that many workers in their 20s described these jobs as long-term careers, despite only one out of four having insurance or pension benefits.
"Without structured pathways for advancement, there is a growing risk of creating a 'missing middle' - a large segment of the workforce that powers consumption but remains excluded from stability, protections and long-term economic mobility," the report said, calling for better social protections, minimum wages and creating pathways to higher-skilled roles that pay better.
But gig platforms - many of whom have raised billions of dollars through private equity and public markets - are expectedly reluctant to budge.
They operate on wafer-thin margins as it is (2.5-4.5% on food delivery, and negative returns on groceries), according to estimates from HSBC research.
And profitability is expected to come under more pressure from the rise in welfare costs imposed by the new social security law.
"The uncertainty around strikes and inflationary pressures on costs because of higher incentives will make 2026 challenging for these apps," Karan Taurani of Elara Capital told the BBC.
One union has already warned of more strikes if platforms don't come forward for talks over their demands, while an opposition politician has vowed to take up the workers' cause both inside and outside parliament.
Across the world, gig worker protections have strengthened in the past five years as pressures have mounted on platforms.
In 2021, a court in London ruled that Uber drivers were workers and entitled to minimum wages and holiday pay. Asian countries such as Singapore and Malaysia have also been rapidly enacting legislation to improve pay transparency and worker rights.
In India too, workers are unlikely to give up without a fight. And as this battle heats up, consumers may eventually be forced to shell out more for their daily deliveries.
Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Quick commerce gains as last-minute events drive Valentine’s demand India asks e-commerce apps to stop Wikipedia warns AI companies to stop scraping and pay for data use Stock markets trade flat after sharp rally last week From Hyundai To Hindalco Serval Major Companies Have Ex Date This Week 89 Companies Are Set To Release Q1 Result Next Week India’s Average Inflation Falls 3% In Last 11 Years Under PM Modi Government US government partially shuts down despite last minute funding deal Mirwaiz urges government to stop arresting people and relocate Kashmiri prisoners back to jails in J&K Trump orders government to stop using Anthropic in battle over AI use
From Lahore to Asian Tour, Ahmad Baig flies solo for Pakistan golfPakistani golfer Ahmad Baig excels at the International Series in Singapore, overcoming challenges of isolation and logistics as he pursues his dream. Published on: Apr 25, 2026 3:56 PM IST By Shantanu Srivastava Share via Copy link
5 hours ago
Sanjay Dutt’s fans were in for a treat as the Bollywood actor announced his new film, Khalnayak Returns, on Friday. The film offers a fresh take on the 1993 blockbuster ‘Khalnayak’ starring Dutt, Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff in lead roles. Now, with the sequel announcement after 33 years
5 hours ago
Union Finance Minister on Saturday urged all entities in the to be 'exceptionally vigilant' on .Without naming , the newly minted platform from leading AI company Anthropic, Sitharaman said artificial intelligence tools are making cyberattacks faster and more adaptive
5 hours ago
BJP's ‘Sheesh Mahal’ jibe at Kejriwal isn't new. Here's how row 2.0 emergedWhile the AAP denied allegations and questioned the veracity of photos shared by BJP, it was Delhi minister Parvesh Verma who took the lead in the attack Updated on: Apr 25
5 hours ago
First-word problems: What did the earliest writers write about?A new book explores ancient letters about kings, pleas for help from a bereft mother, classroom exercises and ancient doodles – all dating to before 1500 BCE. Published on: Apr 25
5 hours ago
Salman Khan, who is preparing for Maatrubhumi, has confirmed that his collaboration with Dil Raju, SVC63, featuring Nayanthara, is set to release in 2027. This project signifies an important partnership with Telugu film producer Dil Raju and director Vamshi Paidipally
5 hours ago
If you have been struggling to build a consistent, feel-good morning routine, Samantha Ruth Prabhu may have just shared the reset you need. The actor swears by a simple yet powerful 8-step morning routine that, when followed for 21 days, can help reduce inflammation, calm your nervous system
5 hours ago
Former Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha on Saturday launched her party Telangana Rashtra Sena. The name of the new party echoes the former name of Bharath Rashtra Samithi, which was earlier called Telangana Rashtra Samithi. Kavitha’s announcement came months after she resigned from the
5 hours ago
Rahul Gandhi addressed an election rally in Serampore. He stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee both help the rich. Gandhi claimed Modi sells the country and spreads hatred. He contrasted this with Congress's ideology of unity and brotherhood
5 hours ago
Deloitte will cut parental leave, PTO, pension accruals and IVF-related benefits for some US employees from 2027, as part of a broader restructuring and benefits overhaul. Deloitte is set to cut several employee benefits for a section of its US workforce starting January 1, 2027
5 hours ago
Social activist Anna Hazare said the exit of Raghav Chadha and six other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MPs could have been avoided if the party had followed the “right” path. Speaking to reporters in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra, Hazare said
5 hours ago
America has frozen 344 million dollars in cryptocurrency assets. These funds are linked to Iran. This action aims to increase pressure on Tehran. Energy supplies are disrupted due to the war in the Middle East. The Treasury Department vows to degrade Iran's ability to move funds
5 hours ago
X’s standalone messaging app, XChat, was rolled out to the public on Friday. The app is currently available on iOS devices and lets users connect with their X contacts for messaging, file sharing, audio and video calls, and group chats.Taking to X, lead designer Benji Taylor said
5 hours ago
Republicans are adjusting their strategy for upcoming midterm elections. They aim to use President Trump's ability to mobilize voters without making the elections about his unpopularity. The focus will shift to promoting tax cuts and inflation-fighting policies
5 hours ago
‘I just want to go back’: Indian woman in Dublin says missing cousin’s wedding is real cost of living abroadAn Indian woman in Dublin said missing her cousin’s wedding in India showed the real emotional cost of living abroad. Updated on: Apr 25
5 hours ago
In an alternate universe: How will the Mandela Effect evolve, in the age of AI?Long before software manipulation, people were ‘remembering’ things that hadn’t happened. Could studying how this works help us frame a way forward? Updated on: Apr 25
5 hours ago
![New Delhi [India], April 25 (ANI): A fire broke out on Saturday in the Majlis Park forest area in the national capital on Saturday](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/fire-breaks-out-in-majlis-park-forest-area-in-delhi.webp?height=520)
New Delhi [India], April 25 (ANI): A fire broke out on Saturday in the Majlis Park forest area in the national capital on Saturday. Fire tenders have been rushed to the spot, and efforts are underway to bring the blaze under control. Just hours earlier
5 hours ago
![New Delhi [India], April 25 (ANI): A fire broke out in a tent warehouse in the Jyoti Nagar area of the national capital on Saturday](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/fire-in-tent-warehouse-in-delhi-s-jyoti-nagar.webp?height=520)
New Delhi [India], April 25 (ANI): A fire broke out in a tent warehouse in the Jyoti Nagar area of the national capital on Saturday. Fire tenders are present at the scene, and efforts are underway to douse the flames. Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Delhi Fire Service MK Chattopadhyay said the fire
5 hours ago
David Wilcock’s chilling 911 call reveal final moments, financial struggles: ‘I’m sorry to put you…'David Wilcock, 53, known for his UFO theories, died after battling depression and financial issues. A 911 call revealed his struggles before his death. Updated on: Apr 25
5 hours ago
Apple’s new boss needs to restore its magic for the AI eraThe elevation of John Ternus hints at the future direction of the company Updated on: Apr 25, 2026 5:07 PM IST The Economist Share via Copy link JOHN TERNUS, named by Apple on April 20th as its new chief executive
5 hours ago
Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha, the most loved couple in town, continue to win hearts with their adorable bond and frequent public appearances together. Her politician husband has been hitting headlines ever since he announced his exit from the Aam Aadmi Party and his entry in the Bharatiya
5 hours ago
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is working on a revised framework for Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), the system behind digital wallets and prepaid cards. On Wednesday, the apex bank proposed a set of measures aimed at supporting their long-term growth
5 hours ago
Woman shares how she found a PG in Bengaluru without stepping out: ‘Search, call, shortlist’A woman shared how she found a PG in Bengaluru from home and offered a simple three step guide for newcomers. Published on: Apr 25, 2026 3:19 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link A
5 hours ago
The Congress on Saturday (April 25, 2026) came out in solidarity with its leader, Pawan Khera and said the verdict of the Gauhati High Court rejecting his anticipatory bail petition would be challenged in the Supreme Court. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh expressed
5 hours ago
Delhi Weather: Several parts of north India, including Delhi, are facing heatwave conditions, with temperatures crossing 40°C in most of the parts. The mercury may rise further by up to 3 degrees Celsius by April 29. Delhi Weather: Delhi witnessed intense heatwave conditions on Friday as the
5 hours ago
Think that silver coin in your locker is a solid investment? You might want to double-check. The latest scam happened with Vaishno Devi Temple Trust, which had accumulated nearly 20 tonnes of silver coins offered by devotees over the years. Expecting a payout of over ₹500 crore
5 hours ago
CBSE Three Language Policy: With only one foreign language allowed, most parents and students are choosing English, leaving almost no demand for languages like German or French. Under the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) new three-language policy
5 hours ago
