Piyush Mishra in his memoir 'Tumhari Auqaat Kya Hai Piyush Mishra', he confessed his extramarital affairs to his wife Priya Narayanan. New Delhi: Talented actor-singer and lyricist Piyush Mishra recently opened up on his personal life. He confessed about having extramarital affairs and even
April 6 Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot cards have in store for you this yearIf your birthday falls on April 6, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Updated on: Apr 06, 2026 11:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link If you were born on April 6
Selling pressure was seen in stocks such as IndiGo, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tata Steel, Sun Pharma, Eternal, Bajaj Finance, M&M, JSW Steel and Dr Reddy’s, which fell up to 2 per cent. Mumbai: Domestic equity markets opened on a mildly positive note on Monday
Internet gives verdict on Alia Bhatt's hosting job at the Screen Awards 2026, not everyone is pleasedSeveral videos of Alia Bhatt's hosting duties at a recent awards ceremony have surfaced online, which has sparked a conversation on social media. Apr 6, 2026
The meeting -- scheduled from April 6 to April 8 -- comes at a time when rising crude oil prices and global geopolitical tensions have clouded the inflation outlook. New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India’s three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting began on Monday
Ranveer Singh surprises Shreya Ghoshal as he unleashes his ‘chatpati side’, sings Latoo; fans say: ‘Pookie Dhurandhar’Ranveer Singh revealed that this ‘rare’ song sung by Shreya Ghoshal is his guilty pleasure, sang it with the singer at NMACC gala. Apr 6, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday (April 5, 2026) appeared to extend by 24 hours his deadline for Iran to make a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating infrastructure attacks. "Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!" he simply said on his Truth Social platform.U.S
Sarma accuses Cong of using Pak-linked group’s docs to forge his wife’s passportsOn Sunday, Congress alleged that Sarma’s wife has passports of the UAE, Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda and owned property in Dubai Published on: Apr 06, 2026 11:04 AM IST By Utpal Parashar Share via Copy link
You can hire house help in 15 minutes in India. But is the system fair?
On a Tuesday afternoon in Noida, near the Indian capital Delhi, Seema Kumari* arrives in a purple T-shirt and gets straight to work.
Kitchen counters are wiped, the balcony scrubbed, bedsheets straightened and the floor mopped. Within 55 minutes, the home is cleaned and in order.
Seema works with Urban Company, an app that lets customers book at-home services - from cleaning to beauty treatments - sometimes in as little as 15 minutes.
In India, domestic help has long been arranged through word of mouth, with workers hired informally and paid in cash.
Now, startups are bringing these services online, offering on-demand bookings in cities for short tasks. They are entering a vast, largely unregulated market - with an estimated 30 million domestic workers, including many women with few formal job options.
Pronto, launched last year, says it has scaled to 15,000 bookings a day in just 10 months, with demand highest in Delhi and nearby cities, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru.
In India, domestic work is low-paid, insecure and largely unregulated, as it takes place inside private homes.
Companies like Urban Company and Pronto say they are trying to formalise the sector with training, standardised pricing and digital payments. For workers, this brings new opportunities - but also new pressures and control.
Before joining the platform, Seema worked at a garment factory, earning between 10,000 ($108; £81) and 14,000 rupees a month.
She left the job last year after hearing that Urban Company was hiring.
"I now make around 20,000 rupees a month," she says, adding that the income helps her support her two children.
But the new system brings pressures she never faced before. After each job, she asks for a good rating - crucial for future work. A low score can reduce her visibility or bookings, she says.
Unlike traditional arrangements, platform work is governed by algorithms that assign jobs, track performance and impose penalties.
But traditional domestic work is far from ideal.
Inside private homes, the work can sometimes mean long hours, unclear duties, delayed pay and even abuse, with little protection. The informality of the arrangement leaves workers vulnerable.
Seema says she earns about 25,000 rupees a month on paper, but takes home less after fines for cancellations, low ratings and delays.
I have made the full amount only once, when I did not take any leave and worked for at least eight hours everyday.
Delays beyond her control can also cost her. "We often have to walk from one location to another. Sometimes security guards hold us up at the gate while they verify our entry into the building," she says. "That makes us late and then we are penalised - even if it is by five minutes."
Another user in Gurgaon, speaking on condition of anonymity, said her home-service maid arrived slightly late and was fined 10 rupees by the provider - something the maid showed her on the app.
The BBC contacted Urban Company, which did not comment on late penalties. Pronto said it does not penalise workers for late arrivals.
Reviews add another layer of pressure. A helper who broke a curtain rod urged the user to not give her a "negative rating".
"It will hurt my prospects," she said.
Labour rights activists argue that such time-bound expectations can be unrealistic.
It is inhuman to expect that someone can simply be summoned within 15 minutes," says activist Akriti Bhatia. "These are people, not automated systems.
The pressure is not just about speed - it affects pay too. Platforms vary from fixed incomes to per-task models with incentives, making earnings unpredictable and shaped by ratings and algorithms.
Pronto founder Anjali Sardana says her startup aims to formalise the sector with direct bank salary payments and health and accident insurance.
But critics remain sceptical.
Bhatia says that while payments are formalised, workers still lack basic rights like paid leave and pensions. With little unionisation, most lack bargaining power.
The platforms say they have grievance redressal systems in place and offer quick support to their staff if they are stuck in a hostile situation.
Even so, these measures do little to change the everyday realities of the work itself, which can often be difficult.
In Hyderabad, Amrutha* finishes a cleaning job and declines a glass of water. She says she avoids drinking during shifts, unsure she'll find a toilet between bookings. In many Indian homes, domestic workers are discouraged from using the employer's bathroom.
Companies say they provide service hubs with restrooms, but workers often don't know. Between jobs, they wait in public spaces - parks, staircases, or bus stops.
This downtime they once relied on is also disappearing. As demand has grown, workers say, their breaks have steadily shrunk.
"There are days when I don't even get time to eat. It has started taking a toll on my health," Seema says.
That trade-off between flexibility and pressure is not new. It has played out when ride-hailing services like Uber and gig platforms like Zomato first came in India.
We've seen this pattern before," says Bhatia. "Many venture-funded platforms initially offer higher pay and discounts to attract users and workers. Over time, that balance shifts.
While instant home services are gaining popularity among younger urban users, some households remain hesitant.
Sushma, a Delhi resident, says she was unsure when her children first booked an app-based cleaner after their regular help did not show up.
I do not know the person," she says. "How do I let them into my house?
She also worried about how her regular househelp might feel.
Her hesitation reflects a broader concern about what these platforms mean for long-standing relationships between households and their domestic workers.
As these services grow, they are reshaping not just how work is arranged, but how it is experienced - on both sides.
Back in Noida, Seema checks her phone as another booking comes in.
The work is tough and I am looking for other opportunities. But for now, it helps me take care of my children, so I'll keep going.
Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Why Should We Hire You Bill Gates reveals best answers to ‘Why should we hire you’ in job interviews State Bank Of India To Hire 3 Did You Know If You Buy A Birkin Then Hermes Will Be Scrutinising You Techie earning ₹11 LPA wonders if he\'s underpaid after new hire gets ₹18 LPA Nvidia, joining Big Tech deal spree, to license Groq technology, hire executives Deloitte Plans To Hire 50 England told to hire Shastri for 2 years until next Ashes - why he's best suited Arizona Cardinals hire Mike LaFleur as head coach on five-year deal Kansas City Roos hire former Maryland coach Mark Turgeon
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the launch of a mission in Ladakh to examine the physiological, psychological and operational dynamics of gaganyatris (astronauts) and ground teams functioning in a high-altitude environment
5 minutes ago
A terrible blunder by former World champion Tan Zhongyi cost her dear against R. Vaishali in the Women’s Candidates at Pegeia, Cyprus, on Sunday. The Chinese lost a piece and Vaishali made sure she converted her advantage into a full point. That was her second straight victory
5 minutes ago
Heart surgeon with 25 years of experience shares the morning routine he follows on off-days for overall healthMaintaining a healthy morning routine can set the tone for the entire day! Dr London shares what he does on his off-days to keep his overall health in check. Published on: Apr 06
5 minutes ago
US President Donald Trump has published an expletive-laden post on social media in which he threatened to destroy Iran's power plants and bridges if it failed to meet his Tuesday deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping. He repeated an earlier threat to unleash "hell" but told US
5 minutes ago
The US military has rescued a missing crew member in a dramatic mission after his fighter jet was shot down in a remote part of Iran. The exact circumstances remain unclear, but the operation to extract him from the ground in hostile territory was hugely complex
5 minutes ago
As Rashmika Mandanna’s BTS reveal grabs attention, Vijay Deverakonda’s role in ‘Ranabaali’ adds buzz to their much-awaited on-screen reunion. New Delhi: Actor Vijay Deverakonda's heartfelt birthday message for wife Rashmika Mandanna has struck a chord with fans
5 minutes ago
Oil prices saw choppy trading on Monday morning in Asia after US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy critical infrastructure in Iran unless it allows ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz. In an expletive-laden social media post on Sunday
5 minutes ago
The main reason behind this rebranding is Musk’s vision to create an 'everything app'. He aims to turn X into a platform that goes far beyond social networking. What happens when one of the world’s most recognised social media platforms suddenly changes its name overnight? That is exactly what
5 minutes ago
Moody’s Ratings has slashed India’s economic growth estimates for the current fiscal to 6% from 6.8% earlier, saying the ongoing conflict in West Asia will moderate growth momentum and raise inflation risks. In its credit opinion report on India, Moody’s said prolonged disruptions
5 minutes ago
Hardik Pandya set to return vs RR? Deepak Chahar reveals big update after MI’s loss to DC in IPL 2026. Mumbai Indians could receive a crucial boost ahead of their IPL 2026 clash against Rajasthan Royals, with pacer Deepak Chahar indicating that captain Hardik Pandya is expected to be available
5 minutes ago
The Prime Minister also criticised the Trinamool Congress over its manifesto, noting that it is being referred to as an “ishtehar.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress over the Malda gherao incident
5 minutes ago
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claims Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi used material from a Pakistani social media group for their press conferences. Sarma alleges increased Pakistani interest in Assam's elections and support for Congress
5 minutes ago
According to Mid-Day, the sequel will not directly continue the 2014 hit’s storyline, but is expected to build on its core themes of self-discovery and independence. Kangana Ranaut’s Queen sequel news has been gaining attention. And the latest report suggests that the much-awaited sequel has
5 minutes ago
The internet has opinions, and this time it’s all about Ramayana. Ever since the teaser dropped, conversations have been buzzing but not all of them glowing. But just when the debate started getting louder, Hrithik Roshan stepped in with a perspective that’s got people thinking a little deeper
5 minutes ago
Samsung Electronics and Mistral AI explored AI memory collaboration and chip supply partnerships. CEO Arthur Mensch met executives in Korea to secure semiconductors amid rising AI demand and global partnerships. Seoul: Executives from Samsung Electronics and French artificial intelligence (AI)
5 minutes ago
The Indian stock markets declined in the early trade on Monday amid geopolitical tensions and higher crude oil prices, with the BSE Sensex trading 500 points or 0.54% lower at 72,810.57 and the NSE Nifty falling 140 points or 0.47% to below 22,600 at 22,580.35 in the early trade
5 minutes ago
In a first since fuel price deregulation, state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) will pay refineries a discounted price for petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and kerosene to limit mounting losses from a self-imposed freeze on retail fuel prices, sources said
5 minutes ago
Grief is not consistant or same for everyone, it does not always arrive with a significant shift. Sometimes, it reshapes identity, rewires emotional patterns, and forces a person to rebuild themselves from scratch. In a deeply personal revelation
5 minutes ago
On a Tuesday afternoon in Noida, near the Indian capital Delhi, Seema Kumari* arrives in a purple T-shirt and gets straight to work. Kitchen counters are wiped, the balcony scrubbed, bedsheets straightened and the floor mopped. Within 55 minutes, the home is cleaned and in order
5 minutes ago
Dear Boys, Looksmaxxing Is a Fool’s ErrandBoys these days are under the impression that they need an extreme makeover to get the girl. They couldn’t be more wrong. Published on: Apr 06, 2026 11:04 AM IST WSJ Share via Copy link When I was a teenager
5 minutes ago
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared the Congress party finished in the state. He accused Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Pawan Khera of having Pakistani links. This stems from allegations made by the Congress leaders regarding the Chief Minister's wife
5 minutes ago
Makai Lemon's Chiefs visit ahead of 2026 NFL draft sparks buzz; ‘First round lock' Published on: Apr 06, 2026 8:40 AM IST Edited by HT US Desk Share via Copy link Makai Lemon of the USC Trojans speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27
5 minutes ago
US President Donald Trump was swift to declare victory after the second crew member of a F-15 fighter jet downed over Iran was recovered, claiming that the dramatic and successful rescue in Iranian territory "proves, once again, that we have achieved overwhelming air dominance and superiority"
5 minutes ago
Lakhs of students who appeared for the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) 10th and 12th board exams are eagerly waiting for their results. According to media reports, the MP Board has almost completed the evaluation process and is now finalising the results
5 minutes ago
United States President Donald Trump on Sunday appeared to extend by 24 hours his deadline for Iran to arrive at a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its critical infrastructure. “Tuesday, 8.00 pm Eastern Time!” he said on social media, without providing context
5 minutes ago
Weather today: The IMD has issued an ‘orange’ alert for Rajasthan, Bihar, and Jharkhand, predicting heavy rains on 6 April. Meanwhile, most of India is under a ‘yellow’ alert. Check the full forecast here. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange’ alert for
5 minutes ago
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will investigate into the assets of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat who is accused in multiple cases of rape and property-related fraud, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday (April 5, 2026)
6 minutes ago
