India’s Social Security Coverage Doubles: ILO Report 2024-26

India has made remarkable strides in expanding social security coverage, as highlighted in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-26. The report reveals that India’s social protection coverage has doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024, demonstrating the impact of various government welfare initiatives. According to the Ministry of Labour & Employment, nearly 920 million people (65% of the population) now benefit from at least one form of social protection, either in cash or in-kind, through central government schemes. India’s progress has also contributed to a 5% increase in global social protection coverage, highlighting its role in shaping international welfare policies.

Key Highlights of the ILO World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-26

• The ILO World Social Protection Report is a periodic global assessment of social security systems.
• The 2024-26 edition focuses on universal social protection, climate action, and just transitions.
• It provides trend data for a dynamic perspective on social protection progress worldwide.
• A regional companion report for Asia and the Pacific offers in-depth insights into regional challenges, priorities, and policy impacts.

Expanding Social Security: Key Government Initiatives

India has launched several social protection schemes to enhance financial security, healthcare, and food assistance. These programs have played a vital role in reducing poverty and improving livelihoods.

1. Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)

• As of March 26, 2025, 39.94 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued.
• Provides ₹5 lakh free health coverage per family at 24,810 empanelled hospitals nationwide.

2. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

• Launched to provide free food grains to vulnerable populations.
• As of December 2024, 80.67 crore people benefit from this scheme.

3. eShram Portal

• Launched on August 26, 2021, to register unorganised workers and provide them with social security benefits.
• As of March 3, 2025, 30.68 crore unorganised workers have registered.
• 53.68% of registered workers are women.

4. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• Launched on May 9, 2015, to provide pension benefits to unorganised sector workers.
• As of December 31, 2024, 7.25 crore beneficiaries are enrolled.
• The total accumulated corpus under APY is ₹43,369.98 crore.

5. Poverty Reduction through Social Security Measures

• Over the past decade, 24.8 crore people have escaped multi-dimensional poverty, showing the success of social security programs.

India’s Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise

• The ILO’s 48.8% estimate does not fully account for in-kind benefits (food security, housing support, state schemes).
• India launched a Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise on March 19, 2025, to consolidate welfare scheme data for more accurate social security coverage assessment.
• Phase 01 covers 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Gujarat.

Over 200 crore welfare records have been processed using encrypted Aadhaar as a unique identifier across 34 central schemes, such as,

• MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)
• EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation)
• ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation)
• APY (Atal Pension Yojana)
• PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman)

India’s Collaboration with ILO

• The Ministry of Labour & Employment is working with the ILO to ensure housing and food security schemes are recognized in future ILO reports.
• During the 353rd ILO Governing Body meeting in Geneva, ILO acknowledged that these measures should be part of global social protection indicators under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).