Budget 2026: Bridging India's Gig Worker Social Security Gap

• India's gig workforce is projected to reach 23.5 million by 2030, highlighting a critical social security gap compared to salaried employees.
• Unlike salaried workers with EPFO, ESI, and gratuity, most gig workers lack health insurance, pension, and accident cover, increasing their vulnerability.
• Industry experts like Suchita Dutta (Indian Staffing Federation) advocate for strengthening the National Social Security Fund with meaningful budgetary allocations.
• Piyush Jhunjhunwala (Stockify) emphasizes the need for affordable, digitally managed social security systems for gig workers, funded by all stakeholders.
• Budget 2026 is seen as an opportunity for strategic investments, tax incentives, and skill-linked formalization to narrow the social security divide.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 must address the growing social security gap for India's gig workers through targeted funding and policy reforms.