Government–Zomato Partnership to Generate 2.5 Lakh Jobs Annually via National Career Service
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Institutions: Ministry of Labour & Employment | National Career Service (NCS)
The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) has partnered with Zomato to expand access to flexible, technology-enabled work opportunities through the National Career Service (NCS) portal. The new MoU, signed in the presence of Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, aims to create around 2.5 lakh job opportunities every year, marking a major step in integrating gig-platform work into India’s formal employment ecosystem.
Since its launch in 2015, NCS has mobilised 7.7 crore vacancies, connecting job seekers and employers across sectors and geographies. Dr Mandaviya called NCS a “vital bridge between job seekers and employers at national and international levels.” He noted that partnerships with digital platforms are helping the government bring youth and women workers into dignified, traceable, and socially protected livelihoods.
Under the new ‘Aggregator’ category, Zomato will host flexible roles such as delivery and logistics on the NCS platform, providing real-time earning opportunities with traceable digital engagement. The MoU supports the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) and the government’s broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision for inclusive and secure employment.
Social-security coverage has grown sharply—from 19 percent in 2015 to 64.3 percent in 2025, now reaching 94 crore citizens, following India’s global recognition by the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The ministry hopes partnerships with gig-economy platforms will further extend benefits to informal and platform workers.
The MoLE–Zomato collaboration reflects India’s effort to formalise gig work through digital registries and social-security linkages. It demonstrates how public–private partnerships can expand employment without compromising worker protection. The challenge lies in ensuring social-security portability, minimum-wage compliance, and data accountability across platforms.
What is the National Career Service (NCS)? → The NCS is a government-run digital employment exchange launched in 2015 to connect job seekers and employers across sectors. It supports registration, job matching, career guidance, and integration of gig, formal, and international opportunities.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India’s employment platforms integrate gig and traditional workstreams while guaranteeing fair wages, safety, and social-security coverage for all digital workers?
Follow the full news here: PIB Press Release ID 2179001