Efforts of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s government pave way for historic expansion in Social Protection Coverage in India in last 11 years

India has experienced a remarkable increase in social protection coverage, with the International Labour Organization (ILO) reporting a rise from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, which is the fastest growth seen globally. According to the ILO’s ILOSTAT database, more than 940 million Indians are now beneficiaries of at least one social protection benefit. This significant advancement places India second in the world regarding the number of individuals covered. This success is the result of a decade-long effort in implementing welfare reforms and focused labour-related schemes under the guidance of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, exemplifying the government’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’ During a bilateral meeting with ILO Director General Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo at the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya, presented India’s national Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise, carried out in collaboration with the ILO. The ILO recognized India’s initiatives and officially updated the data on its platform, commending the country’s inclusive and rights-based approach to social security. Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya mentioned that this milestone reflects India’s commitment to digital governance and social welfare. The current data represents Phase I of the data pooling exercise, which encompasses the Central sector and schemes focused on women across eight states. With additional phases planned, India's social protection coverage is anticipated to exceed 1 billion beneficiaries. This advancement is expected to bolster India’s negotiations for Social Security Agreements (SSAs), enabling benefit portability for Indian professionals overseas and enhancing India’s position in global labour and trade discussions.