GS Paper I 2021 · Q10
10 marks · 150 words Women, population, poverty & urbanisation X-Ray · Core #64Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India.
Approach · directive: “examine”
What it asks · Weigh how short-term, platform-based work widens income and autonomy for women, against the risks and barriers that limit its empowering effect.
It asks 2 things — answer each
- Examine: how gig work empowers women through access, income, autonomy and reach
- Examine: the risks and barriers that limit its empowering effect, and what policy must do
Open with · NITI Aayog estimated 77 lakh gig workers in 2020–21, projected to reach 2.35 crore by 2029–30; for women this flexible, platform-based work opens doors, but on uneven terms.
Cover
- Flexible entry: low barriers and flexible hours suit women with care duties: delivery, beauty and home services, tutoring, online selling.
- Income and voice: own earnings raise bargaining power, savings and say in household decisions.
- Reach: home-based producers and SHG members sell online; small-town women find work without migrating.
- Insecurity and safety: no fixed wage or leave, algorithmic ratings, harassment risks at odd hours.
- Digital and care gaps: lower phone ownership and skills and unpaid care work keep women in low-paid roles.
- Way forward: Code on Social Security 2020, Budget 2025-26 e-Shram, ID cards and AB-PMJAY cover, NITI's push for credit to women.
Close with · Flexibility empowers only when it rests on floors of earnings, safety and social protection; then platform work can lift women's labour force participation.
Add value (verified)
- The Code on Social Security, 2020 for the first time defines gig and platform workers and provides for social security schemes for them, including health and maternity benefits.Code on Social Security, 2020 provides for framing of suitable social security schemes for gig and platform workers - Ministry of Labour & Employment, PIB (13 March 2023) ↗“The Code on Social Security, 2020 provides for framing of suitable social security schemes for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc.”
- NITI Aayog's 2022 report estimates 77 lakh workers in India's gig economy in 2020–21, 2.6% of the non-agricultural workforce.NITI Aayog Launches Report on India's Gig and Platform Economy — PIB (27 June 2022) ↗“The report estimates that in 2020–21, 77 lakh (7.7 million) workers were engaged in the gig economy. They constituted 2.6% of the non-agricultural workforce”
- NITI Aayog's 2022 policy brief expects the gig workforce to expand to 2.35 crore workers by 2029-30.NITI Aayog, Policy Brief: India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy (27 June 2022) ↗“The gig workforce is expected to expand to 2.35 crore (23.5 million) workers by 2029-30.”
- Union Budget 2025-26 provided for e-Shram registration of online platform workers, identity cards and health cover under AB-PMJAY.Social Security Boost for India's Gig Workers — PIB factsheet (30 August 2025) ↗“Union Budget 2025-26 announced provisions for (i) Registration of online platform workers on e-Shram portal, (ii) Issue of identity cards, and (iii) Healthcare coverage under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana”
- NITI Aayog recommends special emphasis on access to formal credit for women and persons with disabilities in the platform economy.India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy: Policy Brief — NITI Aayog (June 2022) ↗“Special emphasis may be placed on access to formal credit for women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2021, GS Paper I — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 16 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer· 217words · Minimalist IAS
NITI Aayog's 2022 report (after this exam) estimated 77 lakh gig workers in 2020–21, rising to 2.35 crore by 2029–30. For women, this flexible platform work opens doors, but on uneven terms.
How gig work empowers women
- Flexible entry: low barriers and flexible hours suit women with care duties: delivery, beauty services, tutoring, online selling.
- Income and voice: own earnings raise bargaining power, savings and say in household decisions.
- Reach: home-based producers and SHG members sell online; small-town women find work without migrating.
Gig work for women: income; flexible hours; skills; market reach; voice at home
What limits the empowerment
- Insecurity: no fixed wage, paid leave or pension; algorithmic ratings decide pay.
- Safety: harassment risks in ride-hailing and home services, often at odd hours.
- Digital and care gaps: lower phone ownership and skills, plus unpaid care work, keep women in low-paid roles.
Way forward
- Social security: the Code on Social Security, 2020 first defined gig and platform workers; Budget 2025-26 (since then) added e-Shram registration, ID cards and AB-PMJAY cover.
- Credit and skills: NITI Aayog urges formal credit for women and skilling through civil-society partnerships.
- Safe platforms: in-app safety features, grievance redress and childcare.
Flexibility empowers only when it rests on floors of earnings, safety and social protection; then platform work can lift women's labour force participation.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) · facts checked against official sources (how we verify) · updated 16 Oct 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.
