NAVIGATING THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE OF INDIA’S GIG ECONOMY

This article surveys the rapid growth of India's gig workforce (projected to reach 2.36 crore workers by FY 2029-30) and the regulatory gaps that leave gig workers classified as independent contractors outside traditional labour protections. It examines the Social Security Code's 2025 recognition of gig workers, including its mandated Social Security Fund and 90-day eligibility threshold, and argues these measures remain largely symbolic due to slow implementation, coverage loopholes for seasonal/multi-platform workers, and a fragmented patchwork of state-level laws (Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Jharkhand). The piece closes on a cautiously optimistic note, calling the Code a meaningful first step that nonetheless demands continued reform.