Overview
- Union labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Thursday that social protection now covers about 1 billion people, an increase from roughly 250 million in 2015 and equal to 68.4% of the population in 2026.
- The International Labour Organization formally recognised the milestone in a video message from director‑general Gilbert F. Houngbo at the 12th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting in Hyderabad.
- The ILO said its running estimates underpin the figure and argued the achievement offers lessons for other developing countries to share through South‑South cooperation.
- Officials and reports credit rapid policy moves such as food support during COVID, the scaling up of health coverage under PM‑JAY, and workforce digitisation efforts like the e‑Shram portal for broadening access to social protection.
- The expansion most directly affects informal and unorganised workers who make up the bulk of India’s workforce, and it shifts policy focus toward formalisation, skills development, and using digital tools to deliver benefits.