First-of-its-kind programme to build job-ready skills in quick commerce by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Government of Telangana and a leading quick commerce platform
With quick commerce reshaping the Indian retail landscape and how consumers shop for everyday essentials, the demand for skilled talent in supply chain, logistics and retail operations has surged. Instamart and Young India Skills University (YISU), established under the Young India Skills University Telangana Act 2024 by the Government of Telangana to boost industry- aligned skill development, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a skill-based academic programme for youth to build careers in the growing quick commerce industry. The multi-year collaboration is expected to train over 5,000 youth in Telangana, preparing them for meaningful career opportunities in the sector. The MoU was signed on 6th January’2026, in the presence of Mr V.L.V.S.S. Subba Rao, Vice Chancellor of Young India Skills University (YISU), Telangana, and Girish Menon, Chief Human Resources Officer at Swiggy Ltd.
As part of this collaboration, Scootsy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiggy and its logistics arm, and YISU will introduce a three-month learning programme designed to build job-relevant operational and managerial skills for the quick commerce sector, with a strong focus on dark store operations.
The programme responds to the growing need for standardised operational and managerial capabilities in high-velocity retail environments, covering areas such as quick commerce operating models, dark store and supply chain execution, customer promise and SLA-driven service delivery, and emerging trends in retail logistics. Delivered through a combination of classroom instruction and structured field exposure, this collaborative programme between YISU and Instamart will equip participants with a practical, systems-level understanding of store execution, last-mile coordination, and the performance metrics required to operate quick commerce at scale. Successful completion of the course and internship will fast-track students into roles as Store Manager Trainees, preparing them for leadership responsibilities in quick commerce fulfilment and operations.
Instamart, India’s pioneering quick commerce platform, serves consumers across the country from its growing network of over 1000 dark stores and megapods across India. Through the platform, merchants offer tens of thousands of products, ranging from everyday essentials to electronics and home living items, supported by a strong supply chain and technology-driven operations.
Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Girish Menon, Chief Human Resources Officer at Swiggy Ltd, said, “India’s demographic advantage is both an opportunity and a responsibility for the industry to invest in building job-ready capabilities at scale. As quick commerce evolves from a convenience-led model into a core part of India’s retail and supply chain ecosystem, the demand for skilled operations and management talent is growing rapidly. Our collaboration with Young India Skills University focuses on creating practical industry-aligned learning pathways that prepare graduates for real-world roles in supply chain and quick commerce operations. This is a long-term investment in India’s skilling ecosystem, not a short-term hiring initiative.”
Speaking about partnership, Mr V.L.V.S.S Subba Rao, Vice Chancellor of Young India Skills University (YISU), Telangana, said “We are proud to partner with Instamart, one of India’s leading quick commerce platforms, to address the evolving needs of the sector and equip young talent with job-relevant skills. This programme is a testament to YISU’s commitment to industry-aligned skilling and to Instamart’s leadership in shaping the future of quick commerce through meaningful workforce development in Telangana state.”
Under the MoU, Instamart will contribute industry expertise, sector insights, instructional support and guest faculty while YISU will provide academic oversight and curriculum approval through its Academic Council. The programme is designed to balance academic quality with practical exposure, ensuring students graduate with skills relevant to employers.
To strengthen hands-on learning, the partnership includes the establishment of an Instamart-supported Training Lab and Centre of Excellence at YISU’s permanent campus in Future City Hyderabad. The facility will support experiential training, industry-led instruction, and applied skill development, helping bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Students who successfully complete the programme and associated internships may be considered for full-time roles in the growing quick commerce industry, including opportunities with Instamart. Through this partnership, Instamart and Young India Skills University aim to contribute to India’s workforce development by building a talent pipeline that is larger in number, stronger in capability and ready for the future of retail and quick commerce.
As the adoption of quick commerce expands, it is emerging as a significant source of employment, driven by the rapid build-out of dark stores and last-mile delivery networks. The sector increasingly needs operations-ready supervisors and entry-level managers who can run high-velocity retail environments day to day. As platforms scale beyond metros into Tier II markets, skills such as operational execution, data-led planning, and supply chain coordination are becoming as critical as traditional retail experience. This shift has exposed a gap between classroom learning and the realities of modern retail operations, highlighting the importance of industry-linked, application-led learning pathways to support a workforce that can grow alongside India’s evolving retail and logistics infrastructure.
