FROM RECOGNITION TO REALISATION: GIG AND PLATFORM WORKERS UNDER THE CODE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, 2020.

Gig and platform workers have hitherto remained outside the protective ambit of Indian labour law because platforms classify such workers as independent contractors. Yet the Code on Social Security, 2020 for the first time centrally defines gig workers, platform workers and aggregators and came into force on 21 November 2025, followed by the Social Security (Central) Rules, 2026, in May 2026. This paper explores whether the Code constitutes enforceable social security and investigates the constitutional dimensions of such protection, the unresolved classification problem, the Code's definitions, its aggregator funded Social Security Fund, and registration provisions. The paper compares the central code with Rajasthan and Karnataka statutes and with developments in the United Kingdom, the European Union and California. It argues that although the Code constitutes a paradigm shift, such protection remains contingent upon registration, aggregator contributions yet to be tested, and a classification framework which leaves an employment determination issue open. It concludes with reform recommendations.