94 cr beneficiaries: ILO data shows India's social protection coverage soars from 19 to 64 per cent in a decade

India has achieved a historic milestone in the realm of social protection coverage, recording one of the most significant expansions globally. According ILO, India's social security coverage has increased from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, an unprecedented 45 percentage point surge over the past decade. read more
India has recorded an unprecedented 45 percentage point surge over the past decade in social protection coverage globally, with the share of population covered under at least one scheme rising from just 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, according to new data released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The growth translates to over 94 crore beneficiaries, making India the second-largest provider of social protection globally by headcount. The milestone, achieved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship welfare push, was highlighted during the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva, where India also became the first country to update its 2025 data on the ILOSTAT dashboard.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
While holding a bilateral discussion with the Director General of ILO, Gilbert F. Houngbo on the sidelines of the International Labour Conference (ILC), Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the pro-poor and labour welfare schemes undertaken by the Modi government over the past 11 years.
In terms of beneficiary count, India now ranks second in the world, providing social protection to around 94 crore citizens. DG ILO praised India's focused welfare policies for the poor and labour class under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
In the last seven years, more than 7.5 crore jobs have been created in the formal sector in India, said Union Minister of Labour & Employment Mansukh Mandaviya at the Plenary Session of the 113th International Labour Conference here. He added that India is building a vibrant education-to-employment ecosystem.
'India has especially progressed in the formalisation of employment. As a result, in the last seven years, more than 7.5 crore jobs have been created in the formal sector. Our employment-linked incentive scheme will promote formal employment further with an allocation of USD 12.8 billion,' Mandaviya said at the session.The Union Minister also highlighted the 'strong digital public infrastructure' being built in India.
'India has built a strong digital public infrastructure, which includes platforms like National Career Service (NCS), which is a one-stop solution for our youth and the working population. We now use NCS to aggregate global job demand and facilitate international labour mobility,' he said.
'We are building a vibrant education-to-employment ecosystem where universities, industry partners, and skill centres are being brought together so our youth can get opportunities based on real market demands,' he added.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Union Minister also apprised DG ILO about the national-level Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise that has been carried out by the Government in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation.
In terms of beneficiary count, India now ranks second in the world, providing social protection to around 94 crore citizens. DG ILO praised India's focused welfare policies for the poor and labour class under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
ILO's Criteria for Scheme Consideration for each country include that the scheme should be legislatively backed, in cash and be active, and verified time series data of last three years has to be provided.
Dr. Mandaviya said, 'This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the visionary leadership of PM Modi and the relentless efforts of the government in building an inclusive and rights-based social protection ecosystem. The increase marks the fastest expansion in social protection coverage worldwide, reflecting the government's unwavering commitment to 'Antyodaya' i.e., empowering the last mile and fulfilling the promise of leaving no one behind.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
It is important to note that the present figure reflects only Phase I of the data pooling exercise. This phase focused on beneficiary data of Central sector schemes and women-centric schemes in the selected 8 States. With Phase II and further consolidation underway, it is expected that India's total social protection coverage will soon surpass the 100-crore mark upon verification of additional schemes by the ILO.
India is also the first country globally to update its 2025 social protection coverage data in the ILOSTAT database, reinforcing its leadership in digital governance and transparency in welfare systems.
Moreover, the increase in Social Protection Coverage will further strengthen India's global engagements, particularly in finalising Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with developed nations. These agreements will ensure the portability of social protection benefits for Indian professionals working overseas, while offering partner countries the transparency required for mutual recognition frameworks. This will further bolster India's position in trade and labour mobility negotiations by showcasing a credible and robust social protection regime.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Dr. Mandaviya is leading an Indian delegation to Geneva, Switzerland, from 10th to 12th June 2025 to participate in the 113th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) of the ILO.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Print

an hour ago

• The Print

Delhi businesses will no longer need police licence for running operations

Businesses will now be exempted from having to obtain a 'no-objection' certificate from police. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the reform is a direct reflection of the government's 'visionary approach' and in line with the Centre's Maximum Governance-Minimum Government' and Ease of Doing Business policy. New Delhi, Jun 22 (PTI) Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has relieved Delhi Police from the responsibility for issuing licences for business activities such as hotels, motels, guest houses, according to an official order. The exemption encompasses entities such as hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants (eating houses), swimming pools, auditoriums, video game parlours, discotheques, and amusement parks. The licensing power will now be transferred to local bodies such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, or Delhi Cantonment Board. Gupta said Union Home Minister Amit Shah has categorically said that police force should be relieved from non-core duties so that their energy and resources can be focused on law and order, security, and crime control. The subject of policing in the national capital lies under the Union Home Ministry. 'We want to make Delhi not only the political capital of India but also a model of good governance. That is the mission of our double-engine government,' Gupta said. PTI SLB VN VN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

Time of India

2 hours ago

• Time of India

Domestically made solar panels cost doubles, raises project cost

Jaipur: Farmers installing solar plants to irrigate their land feel cheated as the increasing prices of domestically made panels nullify the subsidy provided by the central and state govts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Prices of solar panels made in the country currently command Rs 28 a watt compared to about Rs 14 for the assembled panels, which are made of imported solar cells. With the rising cost, the impact of the 60% subsidy provided by the Union and the state govt (30% each) reduces the benefits by up to 50%. As a result, farmers said that a 5-kW plant, which required about Rs 2.7 lakh investment, will now need Rs 4 lakh. These projects are mandated to use Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) panels to be eligible for the subsidies. Disappointed with the higher panel rates, a farmer in a social media post even accused the govt of corruption as the benefits promised under the subsidy scheme are not available to him. The shortage of DCR panels has been jacking up prices in India for a long time, forcing vendors to delay project implementation. They accuse the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) of rolling out schemes with mandatory use of DCR panels without having an adequate supply. "It is benefitting a few manufacturers who are into the production of DCR modules. If the country does not have enough capacity, then the stipulation should be removed for the smooth implementation of the projects," said a vendor preferring anonymity. In DCR modules, solar cells need to be manufactured in India. But the country currently does not have enough cell production capacity. The majority of panel manufacturing volume is made of imported solar cells. The govt has made the DCR mandatory for certain projects, including Kusum and PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Delay in availability risks pushing deadlines further for achieving targets set by MNRE.

Indian Express

2 hours ago

• Indian Express

Maoists won't sleep peacefully this monsoon, says Amit Shah in Chhattisgarh

On the first day of a two-day visit to Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday reiterated the goal he has set of eradicating Left-wing extremism by March 2026, and said that while the rainy season has historically provided some rest for the Maoists, that would not be the case this time. In Raipur, he chaired a meeting on anti-Maoist operations Sunday, which was attended by top police officers from Maoist-affected states like Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Odisha. 'I want to say this to the people of Chhattisgarh before I go… Every year during the rainy season, Naxals used to get some rest. But this time, we will not allow them to sleep even during the rains, and will move forward to achieve our March 2026 goal.' He also made an appeal to those who have joined the Maoists. 'I again appeal to all youngsters who got misled and joined the Naxal movement to surrender under the attractive surrender policy. Drop the weapons and join the path of Chhattisgarh's development. You will never get a better opportunity than this to surrender. There is no need for discussion. Have faith in the government, drop the weapons and join the mainstream. Many people have dropped their weapons, and I welcome them and assure you that we will not only keep our promise, but we will try to provide even more support,' he said. Shah said the greatest achievement of Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai's government in the past one and a half years is that they accelerated the anti-Maoist campaign and moved forward in the direction of freeing the state from LWE. Shah also laid the foundation stone for the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) campus in Raipur, and virtually inaugurated the temporary campus of NFSU, Raipur. Talking about the modernisation of the criminal justice system with these initiatives, Shah said, 'These three initiatives will, in the coming days, serve as a foundation not only for Chhattisgarh but for the entire criminal justice system of central India.'