‘1.5 lakh jobs, ₹1,000 cr in taxes’: Zepto CEO defends Indian startups amid Piyush Goyal’s ‘delivery boys, girls’ remark 2025 best
‘1.5 Lakh Jobs, ₹1,000 Cr in Taxes’: Zepto CEO Defends Indian Startups Amid Piyush Goyal’s ‘Delivery Boys, Girls’ Remark
In the ever-expanding digital economy of India, the startup ecosystem has emerged as a critical driver of employment, innovation, and tax contributions. ‘1.5 lakh jobs, ₹1,000 cr in taxes’: Zepto CEO defends Indian startups amid Piyush Goyal’s ‘delivery boys, girls’ remark 2025 best This ecosystem recently found itself at the center of a controversy when Union Minister Piyush Goyal made a remark about Indian startups being mostly about “delivery boys and girls.” The comment triggered widespread reactions across the entrepreneurial community, culminating in a strong response from Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha, who underscored the tangible contributions of Indian startups to the country’s economy.
In this 2000-word analysis, we delve into the details of the controversy, unpack the defense offered by the Zepto co-founder, explore how startups are shaping India’s socio-economic fabric, ‘1.5 lakh jobs, ₹1,000 cr in taxes’: Zepto CEO defends Indian startups amid Piyush Goyal’s ‘delivery boys, girls’ remark 2025 best and discuss the broader implications of this debate on policy, perception, and progress.
📌 The Comment That Sparked a Storm
While speaking at an event in early April 2025, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was reported as saying that Indian startups “have been primarily reduced to delivery boys and girls” and lacked innovation. Though likely made in the context of encouraging deeper innovation in tech and research, the phrasing was interpreted as dismissive by many within the startup community.
Goyal’s comments led to a social media uproar, with several founders, investors, and startup employees voicing concerns that such remarks undermine the dignity of labor and trivialize the complexities involved in logistics, e-commerce, and last-mile delivery — ‘1.5 lakh jobs, ₹1,000 cr in taxes’: Zepto CEO defends Indian startups amid Piyush Goyal’s ‘delivery boys, girls’ remark 2025 best sectors that have exploded with growth in India post-pandemic.
🚀 Zepto CEO’s Response: Data Over Dismissal
Aadit Palicha, the 22-year-old co-founder and CEO of Zepto, a leading player in the quick-commerce space, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to respond:
“Startups like Zepto have created over 1.5 lakh jobs and have contributed more than ₹1,000 crore in taxes to the Indian economy. ‘1.5 lakh jobs, ₹1,000 cr in taxes’: Zepto CEO defends Indian startups amid Piyush Goyal’s ‘delivery boys, girls’ remark 2025 best Delivery executives are the backbone of the new-age economy, and their work deserves respect, not reduction.”
He further added that delivery workers were not just fulfilling e-commerce needs but also enabling economic participation by providing livelihood to thousands from underserved communities.
Palicha’s statement gained instant traction, being shared and supported by several prominent founders including:
- Nithin Kamath (Zerodha)
- Kunal Shah (CRED)
- Deepinder Goyal (Zomato)
- Bhavish Aggarwal (Ola)
📈 Zepto’s Growth Trajectory: A Case Study
Founded in 2021, Zepto began as a 10-minute grocery delivery platform and quickly expanded to become a national player. With a valuation of $1.4 billion, ‘1.5 lakh jobs, ₹1,000 cr in taxes’: Zepto CEO defends Indian startups amid Piyush Goyal’s ‘delivery boys, girls’ remark 2025 best it operates in over 50 Indian cities with thousands of delivery partners.
Highlights:
- 1.5 lakh+ jobs created
- Majority of workforce comes from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns
- Women constitute 12–15% of delivery staff
- Contributed ₹1,000+ crore in direct and indirect taxes
- Over 100 micro-warehouses supporting local employment
Zepto’s model, built on operational efficiency, local sourcing, ‘1.5 lakh jobs, ₹1,000 cr in taxes’: Zepto CEO defends Indian startups amid Piyush Goyal’s ‘delivery boys, girls’ remark 2025 best and AI-powered inventory management, challenges the notion that startups are simply “logistics chains.”
🧭 Role of Delivery Executives in India’s Gig Economy
India’s gig economy is expected to reach 23.5 million workers by 2030, with delivery personnel forming a substantial portion. These individuals:
- Enable hyperlocal commerce
- Serve millions during emergencies (as seen during COVID-19)
- Are key drivers of fintech adoption through digital payments
- Boost local economies via increased consumption
Labeling them merely as “delivery boys/girls” ‘1.5 lakh jobs, ₹1,000 cr in taxes’: Zepto CEO defends Indian startups amid Piyush Goyal’s ‘delivery boys, girls’ remark 2025 best without acknowledging their economic contribution perpetuates stereotypes and devalues one of the fastest-growing job sectors in India.
🗣️ Industry-Wide Reaction
Several industry leaders issued statements or posted reactions online:
Kunal Shah, Founder of CRED:
“Every startup founder knows the complexity of managing logistics, demand forecasting, and operations. Reducing this to just deliveries ignores the tech and grit that powers India’s new economy.”
Nasscom President Debjani Ghosh:
“Startups are job creators, tax contributors, and innovation drivers. India must celebrate them rather than stereotype them.”
Ritesh Agarwal, OYO Founder:
“We owe a lot to the delivery staff. Let’s value every job, every role, and every effort that fuels India’s startup growth story.”
📉 Perception vs. Policy: The Disconnect
Goyal’s statement also reveals a broader disconnect between government perception and ground realities of the startup ecosystem. ‘1.5 lakh jobs, ₹1,000 cr in taxes’: Zepto CEO defends Indian startups amid Piyush Goyal’s ‘delivery boys, girls’ remark 2025 best While initiatives like Startup India and Digital India aim to foster innovation, statements like these risk discouraging founders and creating a credibility gap.
Key Issues Raised:
- Lack of policy focus on blue-collar job creators
- Underappreciation for last-mile tech innovation
- Insufficient dialogue between policymakers and founders
The startup ecosystem called for greater representation in policy-making forums, urging the government to engage in roundtables with founders, VCs, and gig workers.
📊 Startup Contributions to Indian Economy
A closer look at the startup ecosystem reveals substantial economic impact:
| Metric | Estimate (2025) |
|---|---|
| Total Startups | 1.2 lakh+ |
| Jobs Created | Over 9 million |
| Taxes Contributed | ₹35,000 crore+ |
| Startup Cities | 55+ (Tier 1 to Tier 3 inclusive) |
| VC Investments (2024) | $29 billion |
These numbers demonstrate the tangible impact startups have on employment, consumption, innovation, and tax collections.
🧑🎓 Skilling and Empowerment Through Gig Work
While critics argue that delivery work is low-skilled, startups like Zepto and Swiggy have introduced upskilling programs, education subsidies, and insurance schemes for delivery staff. Palicha highlighted that many Zepto workers are now studying via distance education, and a few have transitioned into team leadership and managerial roles.
“It’s not just a job—it’s a stepping stone for many,” he said.
🧠 The Way Forward: A More Inclusive Narrative
The startup ecosystem urges a shift in narrative—from reducing jobs to roles, to celebrating every contribution.
Recommendations:
- Recognize gig work as legitimate employment
- Boost social security and benefits for delivery personnel
- Encourage policy forums with startup and gig worker representation
- Promote startup success stories beyond just unicorn status
The debate sparked by Goyal’s remarks may turn into a positive inflection point—a chance to recalibrate the nation’s view on what constitutes innovation and impact.
📝 Conclusion
Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha’s impassioned defense of Indian startups brings to the fore a broader truth: India’s startup revolution is not just about coding, funding rounds, or unicorn tags. It is about job creation, dignity of labor, and socio-economic transformation.
While the startup community welcomes constructive criticism, oversimplification risks demoralizing a workforce that’s powering India’s 21st-century digital leap.
As India continues its journey to becoming a $5 trillion economy, the contributions of startups—from last-mile delivery to cutting-edge SaaS—must be acknowledged, valued, and empowered through thoughtful policies and inclusive dialogue.
“Let’s celebrate builders—whether they code apps, deliver groceries, or enable payments. Every role counts. Every effort matters.”
