Quick Commerce Firms Offer Festive Bonuses to Delivery Partners During Navratri: Payout Up to ₹50,000

India’s quick commerce giants Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart are rolling out special festive season incentives for their delivery partners during Navratri 2025. These festive benefits, which include increased payouts and performance-based bonuses, are aimed at expanding fleet capacity and retaining gig workers amid heightened customer demand.

20% Bonus and Special Earnings During Navratri

Starting September 22, 2025, Blinkit is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eternal Limited (formerly Zomato Limited), has introduced a 20% incentive on daily earnings for its delivery partners. This bonus varies depending on the individual’s daily performance. 

Zepto and Swiggy’s Instamart are reportedly planning similar schemes, with internal discussions ongoing. These incentives are part of the platforms’ broader efforts to meet demand surges during peak hours and maintain high service standards throughout the festive period.

Festive Season Drives Up Delivery Partner Income

As per industry data, average monthly earnings for delivery partners have grown from ₹21,000 in 2021 to around ₹28,000 by mid-2025. During festive periods like Navratri and Diwali, payouts can rise to nearly ₹50,000 per month, marking a 10-15% Y-o-Y increase. 

Zepto, for instance, offers daily bonus schemes of up to ₹282 for completing 30 deliveries a day. Peak demand hours from 7-11 am and 5-8 pm are especially lucrative for partners.

Read More: Zepto Signs Deal For 10,000 Job Postings On Government Portal!

Longer Shifts, Lesser Stability for Gig Workers

Despite the increased payouts, gig workers often face longer 12-14-hour shifts, especially in metro cities like Bengaluru. While these hours are necessary to unlock surge bonuses and complete high delivery targets, many riders experience fatigue and lower per-order payouts. Compared to the usual 8-10 hour shifts, the festive stretch reduces income stability, even as hiring expands temporarily.

Festive Hiring Expected to Add Over 2,16,000 Jobs

TeamLease estimates festive hiring in 2025 will create 2,16,000 temporary roles across sectors. However, the Y-o-Y growth in hiring has eased from 45% in 2021 to 15-20% in 2025. Quick commerce continues to be a major driver of this seasonal employment, although competition and rising operational costs may limit benefits passed on to workers.

Conclusion

Quick commerce firms are ramping up delivery incentives to manage Navratri demand spikes, offering gig workers higher potential earnings. However, longer working hours and reduced per-order payouts remain challenges. As festive hiring stabilises in 2025, balancing workforce expansion with fair compensation becomes crucial for platforms.

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