Zomato has partnered with HDFC Pension Management Company to launch the NPS Platform Workers Model, a pioneering initiative providing formal retirement benefits to its delivery partners under the National Pension System (NPS). Announced on October 3, 2025, and formally unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at a PFRDA event on October 1, the model enables gig workers to access lump-sum payouts and monthly pensions at retirement through simple, digital onboarding. Within 72 hours of rollout, over 30,000 delivery partners had generated their Permanent Retirement Account Numbers (PRANs), with Zomato committing to enroll more than 1 lakh partners by the end of 2025.
For gig economy participants, HR leaders in platform businesses, and policymakers focused on financial inclusion, this collaboration marks a significant step toward securing the futures of India’s 5.09 lakh monthly active delivery partners (as of Q1 FY26). By leveraging existing KYC/e-KYC data with consent, the model ensures hassle-free entry into NPS, offering portability across jobs and flexible contributions. As Zomato expands welfare offerings like health insurance and accident cover, this NPS integration underscores a holistic approach to partner security. Let’s break down the features, rollout success, and broader implications.
Key Features: Simple Onboarding, Flexible Savings, and Long-Term Security
The NPS Platform Workers Model is tailored for gig workers, allowing small, regular contributions via UPI or payroll deductions, with full portability if partners switch platforms. It provides a lump-sum corpus at age 60, plus a monthly annuity, backed by PFRDA’s regulated framework.
Core components:
| Feature | Details | Benefits for Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Onboarding | Uses existing KYC/e-KYC; PRAN generated in 72 hours | Quick, paperless setup—no branch visits needed. |
| Flexible Contributions | Starts at ₹1,000/month; auto-debit via UPI | Affordable for variable incomes; tax deductions under 80CCD(1B). |
| Investment Options | Up to 100% equities for non-govt subscribers (per recent reforms) | Higher returns potential (8-12% historical NPS avg.). |
| Portability & Security | Carries across jobs; insured under PFRDA | Lifelong coverage; lump-sum + pension at retirement. |
Additional details can be updated post-onboarding, ensuring inclusivity for informal workers. Zomato CEO Aditya Mangla emphasized: “We’re taking a step beyond daily livelihood—towards long-term financial security and assurance in retirement.”
Rollout Success: 30,000 PRANs in 72 Hours, 1 Lakh Target by 2025
The initiative’s rapid uptake—30,000 PRANs generated within three days—demonstrates strong demand among Zomato’s 5.09 lakh partners. HDFC Pension MD & CEO Sriram Iyer noted: “This model expands retirement planning to excluded segments, bringing a larger population under long-term financial security.”
Zomato’s welfare ecosystem now includes:
- Health & Accident Cover: Free insurance up to ₹1 lakh.
- SOS Assistance & Rest Points: Emergency support and facilities.
- NPS Integration: The latest addition, targeting 1 lakh enrollments by December 2025.
This builds on government efforts, like the Code on Social Security 2020, to extend benefits to gig workers.
Implications: Transforming Gig Economy Security
For delivery partners, the model offers unprecedented stability—building a corpus for post-gig life, with equities enabling 8-12% compounded growth. Platform Businesses like Swiggy and Blinkit may follow, setting a welfare benchmark. Policymakers gain a scalable template for informal sector inclusion, aligning with PFRDA’s push for 10 crore NPS subscribers by 2030.
Challenges include awareness (rural partners may need education) and contribution adherence, but digital tools mitigate. As gig work grows to 50 million jobs by 2025, initiatives like this could reduce financial vulnerability.
Conclusion: Zomato’s NPS Model – A Gig Worker’s Safety Net
Zomato’s NPS Platform Workers Model with HDFC Pension is a game-changer, onboarding 30,000 partners in days and aiming for 1 lakh by 2025 with seamless retirement planning. By blending digital ease with flexible savings, it empowers gig workers toward secure futures— a model for India’s platform economy. ET
