Trapped in the Loop: The Cycle of Debt and Dependence Among India’s Food Delivery Riders

In India’s fast-paced urban life, food delivery riders are everywhere—navigating traffic, racing against time, and delivering convenience to our doorsteps. Yet behind their hustle lies a much harsher reality. These riders are caught in a cycle that’s hard to break—driven by debt, lured by daily wages, and trapped in a job that offers neither security nor escape.

Our research, based on detailed interviews with riders across Delhi-NCR, reveals that most did not choose this job out of aspiration but desperation. Crushed by mounting debt—often due to medical bills, family needs, or failed ventures—they migrated to cities in search of immediate income. Gig work, with its low entry barrier and daily payouts, seemed like a solution. But instead of lifting them out of debt, it locked them into a cycle where the earnings are just enough to survive, but never enough to move on.

A typical rider earns ₹15,000–₹25,000 per month, working 10–14 hours daily. But from this modest income, they must cover fuel, rent, EMIs, and basic needs. Few are left with savings. One accident, illness, or family emergency can derail everything—forcing them to borrow more, deepening their financial troubles. There’s no social security, no health insurance, and no paid leave. Riders are treated as “partners,” not employees, allowing platforms to evade responsibility for their welfare.

Worse still, their work is controlled by algorithms. Apps decide when and where they work, how much they earn, and even whether they stay on the platform. A drop in performance—whether due to a delay, a low customer rating, or even illness—can lead to reduced visibility, fewer orders, or deactivation. The riders are constantly under pressure, with little room to speak out or demand change.

Emotionally and mentally, the toll is just as severe. Riders spoke of missing time with their families, giving up dreams, or simply feeling stuck. For many, this job—meant to be a temporary fix—has become a long-term trap. One former schoolteacher told us he took up delivery work to repay a loan; five years later, he’s still riding, unable to return to his profession because the job pays just enough to get by, but never enough to start over.

And yet, despite all of this, riders show extraordinary resilience. They take pride in their work, remain hopeful for their children's futures, and dream of something better. But hope alone isn’t enough. Real change requires structural reform.

We must stop seeing these workers as replaceable “gig partners” and start treating them as what they truly are—essential workers. Policymakers need to recognize them under labor laws, mandate minimum protections, and ensure platforms contribute to their well-being. Health insurance, accident cover, and income security aren’t luxuries—they are necessities.

The gig economy may promise flexibility, but for most riders, it delivers fatigue. The system keeps them moving but never lets them arrive. Unless we address the deeper issues—lack of rights, economic insecurity, and platform accountability—this loop of debt and dependence will persist, and the people who keep our convenience flowing will continue to pay the hidden cost.

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