New Delhi: Zomato and HDFC Pension have partnered to launch the ‘NPS Platform Workers Model’, aimed at providing delivery partners with access to formal retirement benefits.
The initiative was formally launched by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at an event hosted by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
Early Adoption and Scale
Within 72 hours of integration, more than 30,000 delivery partners generated their Permanent Retirement Account Numbers (PRANs). Zomato has committed to enabling over one lakh delivery partners with retirement accounts by 2025. The food delivery platform currently supports an average of 5.09 lakh independent monthly active delivery partners as of Q1 FY26.
Zomato has introduced a digital-first onboarding process using existing KYC or eKYC details with workers’ consent at the PRAN generation stage. Additional information can be updated later, making the process smooth and hassle-free.
Addressing Gaps in Social Security
According to NITI Aayog, the number of platform workers in India is expected to rise to 23.5 million by FY 2029-30. Despite this growth, awareness and access to structured retirement planning remain minimal, leaving many gig workers without savings for the future. The collaboration aims to bridge this gap by offering a secure retirement system tailored to their needs.
Expanding Social Security Net
HDFC Pension’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sriram Iyer, noted that many individuals currently lack access to formal retirement instruments. The new model allows gig workers to begin structured retirement planning, while also expanding the reach of long-term financial security across India’s growing workforce.
This collaboration marks a milestone in extending social security to gig workers, creating a sustainable framework for their financial well-being, and strengthening India’s digital economy.
Also Read
Airtel Business, Swift Navigation to Roll Out India’s First Centimetre-Level Positioning Service
