New Questions on Digital Platform Employment from January

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is planning changes to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) to improve the representation of gig workers and collect more detailed information on unpaid household work. The proposed changes are expected to take effect from January, with the ministry inviting public comments and suggestions on its concept note until November 7.

Under the proposed revision, households will be asked whether any family member has worked for a digital platform such as Ola, Uber, Zomato, Amazon or Urban Company during the previous 365 days. The information will help identify households with digital platform workers through a new category known as the Second Stage Stratum (SSS).

MoSPI began collecting information on digital platform workers, a subset of gig workers, on an experimental basis in January 2026. The proposed changes aim to make labour market statistics more representative of emerging employment patterns and the growing role of platform-based work.

Survey to Examine Unpaid Household and Caregiving Work

The revision also seeks to improve the understanding of unpaid domestic and caregiving work performed by family members. The survey will examine not only the time spent on such activities but also whether individuals undertaking unpaid work wish to continue doing it.

The proposed changes come amid estimates suggesting a significant expansion of India's gig workforce. A 2022 report by NITI Aayog estimated that India had 77 lakh gig and platform workers in 2020-21. The number was projected to rise to 2.35 crore by 2029-30.

Data from MoSPI's Time Use Survey for 2024 highlights the unequal distribution of unpaid household responsibilities. Females above the age of six spent an average of more than four-and-a-half hours daily on unpaid domestic services and caregiving for household members. In comparison, males spent an average of just 37 minutes per day on these activities.

The proposed PLFS changes could provide a clearer picture of platform-based employment and unpaid work, helping policymakers better understand India's evolving labour market and household work patterns.