Overview

• According to ILOSTAT data, social security coverage in India rose from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, extending benefits to over 94 crore people.
• India now ranks second worldwide by beneficiary count, marking the fastest expansion in social protection coverage over the past decade.
• Phase I of the national data pooling exercise covered Central sector and women-centric schemes in eight states and Phase II is expected to verify additional programs to push coverage beyond the 100-crore mark.
• ILO Director General Gilbert F. Houngbo credited India’s surge to targeted welfare schemes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted its leadership in digital transparency.
• The expanded social protection framework is poised to strengthen negotiations on Social Security Agreements, ensuring benefit portability for Indian professionals abroad.