In a landmark moment for India’s gig-economy workers, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has successfully pushed major quick-commerce companies to remove the controversial “10-minute delivery” promise from their platforms. On January 13, 2026, Chadha announced what he called a “major victory” for delivery workers after companies such as Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart and Zomato agreed to scrap time-based delivery branding following government intervention.
The move came after Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held high-level meetings with platform executives, instructing them to remove marketing and rider-facing deadlines that were putting dangerous pressure on delivery workers.
“This is Satyamev Jayate,” Chadha said in a video statement. “Together, we have won. I thank the Central government for its timely and compassionate intervention to protect India’s gig workers.”
Why the 10-Minute Delivery Model Was Dangerous
India’s quick-commerce boom was built on one promise: ultra-fast deliveries. But according to gig-worker unions and safety activists, this came at a heavy human cost.
Riders were forced to race against countdown timers, algorithmic penalties, and customer harassment, often risking their lives in traffic. Chadha argued that “10-minute delivery” branding created a psychological trap, pushing riders into reckless speeding and unsafe driving.
During Parliament’s Winter Session, Chadha described gig workers as “the invisible wheels of the Indian economy,” highlighting how the model caused stress, accidents, and exploitation without any social security protection.
How Raghav Chadha Built Pressure
Unlike most politicians, Chadha chose ground-level activism. On January 12, he wore a Blinkit uniform, rode with delivery workers, and completed deliveries himself. He also:
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Spent New Year’s Eve with striking workers
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Hosted a struggling rider from Uttarakhand for lunch
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Posted viral screenshots showing riders earning ₹763 after 15-hour shifts
More than 200,000 gig workers joined nationwide protests, and labor unions filed complaints with the National Human Rights Commission, calling the system “algorithmic forced labor.”
This pressure forced the Labour Ministry to step in.
What the Government Ordered
This was not a court order but a direct executive action. The Labour Ministry instructed companies to remove:
- “10-minute delivery” tags
- Rider uniform branding
- App-based countdown timers used for marketing
Blinkit immediately changed its slogan from “10,000+ products in 10 minutes” to neutral delivery language. Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and Zomato are expected to follow.
Importantly, fast deliveries can still happen through dark stores but without the public pressure of a time guarantee.
Rare Bipartisan Moment
What made this development extraordinary was the politics. Chadha, an opposition MP, publicly thanked the BJP-led Central government, a rare show of bipartisan cooperation.
Chief traders’ body CAIT also welcomed the move, saying it had warned about the dangers of quick-commerce since 2024.
Will This Really Help Gig Workers?
Experts say the impact will be psychologically huge. Removing visible timers reduces:
- Stress
- Reckless driving
- Pressure from customers
However, critics warn that the deeper problem remains:
- Pay is still order-based
- Algorithms still penalize delays
- Workers still lack insurance, leave, or pensions
As one rider posted online, “Removing the timer helps, but the pay still forces us to rush.”
Requirements?
India has millions of gig workers, many with no job alternatives. For them, this is the first time a national policy has shifted because of their protests.
Raghav Chadha’s campaign shows that ground-level activism combined with parliamentary pressure can force corporate change.
For now, one thing is certain:
India’s 10-minute delivery rush is over and gig workers finally caught a break.
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