NEW DELHI, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Zomato, India’s food ordering and delivery platform, HDFC Pension, India’s largest Corporate NPS Point of Presence and Private sector Pension Fund Manager, and KFin Technologies Limited (‘KFintech’), the Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA) for the National Pension System (NPS), have joined hands to introduce the ‘NPS Platform Workers Model’ for delivery partners onboarded on Zomato. The model was formally launched by Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman at an event organised by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in New Delhi, on the occasion of NPS Diwas, celebrated annually on 1st October.
This new initiative by Zomato and HDFC Pension, enabled by KFintech, aims to secure the financial future of Zomato’s onboarded delivery partners.
HDFC Pension’s vision of securing retirement for Indians complements Zomato’s gig-first approach, which places delivery partners at the centre of its business. The collaboration focuses on their future well-being, reflecting Zomato’s commitment to supporting their livelihoods and financial security.
As per NITI Aayog’s report (2022), the number of platform workers in India is estimated to grow to 23.5 million by FY2029-30. Currently, there exists a gap in terms of awareness as well as access to formal retirement benefits for these workers. Due to this reason, the retirement savings rate among this specific section of the workforce is negligible.
This collaboration will now enable those independent gig workers, onboarded on Zomato as delivery partners, to enjoy benefits such as long-term financial security in the form of a lump sum and a monthly pension at retirement, along with flexibilities such as making small, regular contributions. In addition, with a long-term view, the model also provides delivery partners the option of portability, allowing them to carry their benefits forward as they progress in their careers.
Digital integration has been done to make the on-boarding process smooth and hassle-free by using the existing KYC or eKYC of the gig workers, with their consent, at the PRAN generation level. Additional details can be submitted by the gig workers subsequently. More than 30,000 delivery partners onboarded on Zomato have already generated their PRANs (Permanent Retirement Account Numbers) within 72 hours of this integration and the platform is committed to enable over 1 lakh delivery partners with their NPS retirement accounts within 2025.
Speaking on the launch, Sriram Iyer – Managing Director & CEO, HDFC Pension, commented, “We are delighted to bring this offering to gig workers, in collaboration with Zomato. Usually, most individuals start to appreciate the importance of retirement planning as they near retirement. Hence, we constantly endeavour to create awareness on this topic. However, not all individuals have access to formal retirement planning instruments. Through the ‘NPS Platform Workers Model’, such individuals can now start planning for their retirement. This model not only enables them to plan for their retirement but also contributes towards bringing a larger section of our population under the umbrella of long-term financial security. I would like to thank PFRDA for their vision and support in launching this model. I would also like to thank Zomato for their advocacy and initiative in implementing this model for their delivery partners. We strongly believe this will go a long way towards making India ‘Future Sure’.”
Aditya Mangla – CEO, Zomato, said, “Our delivery partners are at the core of Zomato. With HDFC Pension, we’re taking a step beyond daily livelihood—towards long-term financial security and assurance in retirement. This is part of our larger commitment to building stability and dignity for those who power India’s gig economy.”
Commenting on the launch, Sreekanth Nadella – MD & CEO, KFin Technologies, said, “The gig economy represents one of the fastest-growing workforce segments in India, and yet its financial security remains largely underserved. At KFintech, we are proud to play a pivotal role in enabling this landmark initiative, ensuring that Zomato delivery partners can seamlessly join the NPS framework within just a few clicks. This model demonstrates how technology can empower platform workers to safeguard their retirement and sets a blueprint for extending financial inclusion to millions more in the years ahead.”
