Now Reading: Digital revolution creates lakhs of new jobs for Gen Z in India
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Digital revolution creates lakhs of new jobs for Gen Z in India
India’s digital revolution, kickstarted by the 2015 Digital India scheme, has created a wave of new jobs for Gen Z. As of January 2026, the National Stock Exchange reported 12.7 crore unique…
The Story in Brief
India’s digital revolution, kickstarted by the 2015 Digital India scheme, has created a wave of new jobs for Gen Z. As of January 2026, the National Stock Exchange reported 12.7 crore unique registered investors, including many young intraday traders. The e-Shram portal listed 3.37 lakh platform gig workers by August 2025, with NITI Aayog projecting 1 to 2.35 crore jobs in the sector by 2029-30. Internet connections rose from 25.15 crore in 2014 to 96.96 crore in June 2024, and smartphone ownership among 15-29 year olds stands at 93.8%, even in rural areas.
The digital economy’s share of GDP grew from 5.8% in 2014 to 11.74% in 2022-23, and is projected to reach 20% by 2030. Affordable data, India offers 1 GB for as low as Rs 3.8 on BSNL, has enabled youth to earn through freelancing, content creation, delivery services, and stock trading. The 5G network now covers 99.6% of districts, while high-speed internet reaches 2.18 lakh gram panchayats via Bharat Net.
The Indian Opinion
The story of India’s digital boom is often told as a one-sided triumph of cheap data and young entrepreneurs. But the numbers hide a harder truth. While 93% of rural youth own smartphones, many gig workers lack social security. Stock market speculation has drawn in 12.7 crore investors, but intraday trading is a gamble, not a career. The government’s e-Shram portal shows only 3.37 lakh platform gig workers registered, a fraction of NITI Aayog’s optimistic projection. The real test will be whether these new jobs come with stable incomes, health cover, and pensions, or remain a digital mirage.
Source: thehansindia.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
