Ministry of Labour & Employment
Efforts of Modi Government Pave Way for Historic
Expansion in Social Protection Coverage in India in
Last 11 years
ILO Acknowledges Tremendous Surge in India’s
Social Protection Coverage from 19 percent in 2015
to 64.3 percent in 2025, Publishes the Same on its
Dashboard
The Increase Marks the Fastest Expansion in Social
Protection Coverage Worldwide
India Now Ranks Second in World, Provides Social
Protection Coverage to More Than 94 Crore Citizens
as per ILO
DG ILO Praises India’s Focused Welfare Policies for
the Poor under PM Modi’s Leadership
Posted On: 11 JUN 2025 1:05PM by PIB Delhi
Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of achieving ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, India
has achieved a historic milestone in the realm of social protection coverage, recording one of the most
significant expansions globally. According to the latest data from the International Labour Organization’s
(ILO) ILOSTAT database, 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.
While holding a bilateral discussion with the Director General, ILO, Mr. 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.
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.
Recognising these efforts, ILO acknowledged India’s achievement and officially published on its dashboard
that 64.3% of India’s population, i.e. over 94 crore people, are now covered under at least one social
protection benefit. In 2015, this figure was just 19%.
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.
Speaking from Geneva, Dr. Mandaviya said, “This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the
visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra 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”.
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 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.
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.
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Manish Gautam/Divyanshu Kumar
(Release ID: 2135592)
