Revolutionizing the Gig Workforce: Technological Shifts and Emerging Opportunities

From 2018 to 2021, India's gig economy underwent substantial growth, increasing from 2–3 % to an estimated 8-10% of the workforce, totaling almost 15 million people. This expansion was driven by enhanced digital infrastructure and the widespread adoption of smartphones, facilitating broader access to flexible employment options via digital platforms in industries such as transportation, food delivery, home services, and freelance digital labor. The COVID-19 pandemic expedited this trend as economic worries and evolving job requirements compelled more individuals, particularly younger, digitally proficient Gen Z workers, to adopt gig labor for financial security and flexibility. Numerous individuals shifted from conventional career trajectories to gig work, either due to necessity or as a lifestyle preference, in response to the burgeoning prospects inside the gig economy. This expansion is facilitated by sophisticated platform technologies that amalgamate marketing, finance, logistics, and client engagement functionalities, establishing a resilient ecosystem for gig workers to function autonomously. Enhanced governmental acknowledgment and the evolution of business models position these platforms to empower gig workers as entrepreneurs, promoting self-employment and widespread financial independence. This study investigates the potential of technology-enabled platforms to transform the Indian home remodeling industry, enabling gig workers to operate their own enterprises through adaptable and tailored gigs. This research underscores the revolutionary impact of the gig economy on work patterns, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional employment and fostering an entrepreneurial ethos within India's developing workforce.