The Labour Ministry has issued a directive to quick-commerce platforms, asking them to prioritize delivery partner safety over speed guarantees by removing 10-minute delivery thresholds. Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met with representatives from major platforms to communicate this policy shift, marking a significant regulatory intervention in the rapidly growing quick-commerce sector.

Market Response to Regulatory Changes

The announcement has triggered varied market reactions among quick-commerce stocks. Swiggy shares declined approximately 1% during trading, while Zomato demonstrated resilience with gains despite the regulatory pressure.

Zomato's positive performance was attributed to expectations of MSCI inclusion and anticipated higher foreign investment flows, which helped offset concerns about the delivery time restrictions.

New Social Security Framework for Gig Workers

The Labour Ministry has introduced comprehensive draft rules under the Social Security Code 2020, establishing new standards for platform worker benefits. The proposed framework includes a 90-day annual work threshold as mandatory eligibility criteria for gig and platform workers to access social security benefits.

Key regulatory developments include:

• Four labour codes, including the Social Security Code 2020, were notified on November 21, 2025
• Draft rules published on December 31 for stakeholder feedback
• 90-day annual work threshold proposed for social security eligibility
• Focus shift from delivery speed to worker safety

Analyst Outlook and Market Sentiment

Despite regulatory challenges, analyst sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive for both companies. The investment community continues to view these platforms as strong growth opportunities in the expanding quick-commerce market.

*Note: The article references "Eternal" which appears to be a data error referring to Zomato.

The substantial upside potential projected by analysts suggests confidence in the companies' ability to adapt to regulatory changes while maintaining growth trajectories. The shift away from 10-minute delivery promises may actually benefit long-term sustainability by reducing operational pressures and improving worker conditions, potentially leading to more stable business models in the evolving quick-commerce landscape.

Swiggy and Eternal shares experienced a decline from their day's highs following reports that Blinkit has removed its signature 10-minute delivery deadline. The development has impacted investor sentiment, with both stocks retreating from earlier gains during the trading session.

Regulatory Intervention Prompts Policy Change

The removal of Blinkit's 10-minute delivery promise follows direct intervention from Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The Minister raised concerns about the safety of delivery partners, highlighting the potential risks associated with ultra-fast delivery timelines. This regulatory attention has prompted Blinkit to reassess its delivery commitments and prioritize worker safety.

Company Response and Platform Changes

In response to the safety concerns raised by the Labour Minister, Blinkit has taken immediate action by removing the "10-minute delivery" claim from all its brand platforms. This represents a significant shift in the company's marketing strategy and service promise, as the rapid delivery timeline had been a key differentiator in the competitive quick commerce market.

Market Impact

The news has had an immediate impact on share prices, with both Swiggy and Eternal stocks moving off their day's highs. The market reaction reflects investor concerns about the potential impact on Blinkit's competitive positioning and growth prospects in the quick commerce segment. The removal of the ultra-fast delivery promise may affect the company's ability to differentiate itself from competitors in the rapidly growing online grocery and essentials delivery market.

Safety Concerns in Quick Commerce

The intervention by the Union Labour Minister underscores growing regulatory attention on the working conditions and safety of delivery partners in the quick commerce industry. The focus on delivery partner safety reflects broader concerns about the pressure placed on workers to meet increasingly tight delivery deadlines in the competitive landscape of online food and grocery delivery services.