India has achieved a remarkable milestone in expanding its social security coverage, as highlighted in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024–26. The report indicates that India’s social protection coverage has doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024, reflecting the government’s concerted efforts to enhance the welfare of its citizens.
Understanding Social Protection Coverage
Social protection encompasses a range of policies and programs designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by promoting efficient labor markets, diminishing people’s exposure to risks, and enhancing their capacity to manage economic and social risks. In the Indian context, this includes initiatives that provide health insurance, pensions, employment support, and food security to various segments of the population.
Key Government Initiatives Driving Expansion
Several flagship schemes have been instrumental in broadening the social security net:
- Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): Launched to provide health coverage, this scheme offers free health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. As of March 26, 2025, approximately 39.94 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued, facilitating access to healthcare services across 24,810 empanelled hospitals nationwide.
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY): Initiated to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, PMGKAY provides free food grains to vulnerable populations. By December 2024, about 80.67 crore individuals were beneficiaries of this scheme, nearing the target coverage of 81.35 crore.
- eShram Portal: Launched on August 26, 2021, the eShram portal aims to create a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW). It assigns a Universal Account Number (UAN) to workers, facilitating their access to social security benefits. By March 3, 2025, over 30.68 crore unorganised workers had registered, with women constituting 53.68% of the registrants.
- Atal Pension Yojana (APY): Launched on May 9, 2015, APY seeks to provide a universal social security system, particularly targeting the poor and unorganised sector workers. Alongside schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), APY has strengthened the country’s social security framework. As of December 31, 2024, 7.25 crore individuals had enrolled in APY, with a total accumulated corpus of ₹43,369.98 crore.
Impact on Poverty Reduction
The cumulative effect of these social security measures has been substantial in reducing poverty. Over the past decade, approximately 24.8 crore people have risen above the multi-dimensional poverty line, underscoring the effectiveness of targeted welfare programs.
Comprehensive Assessment of Social Protection
While the ILO’s report provides a significant overview, it primarily focuses on certain metrics and may not fully encapsulate the breadth of India’s social security landscape. In-kind benefits such as food security and housing support, along with state-administered welfare schemes, contribute substantially to social protection but may not be entirely reflected in the ILO’s assessment. Consequently, when these factors are considered, India’s actual social protection coverage is likely higher than reported.
Regulatory Framework Governing Social Security in India
India’s social security system is underpinned by a robust legal and regulatory framework that ensures the implementation and governance of various welfare schemes:
- The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952: This Act mandates provident fund contributions from both employers and employees, ensuring financial security for workers post-retirement.
- The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948: It provides for health and disability insurance for employees earning below a certain threshold, covering medical care and cash benefits during sickness, maternity, and employment injury.
- The Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008: This legislation aims to provide social security to unorganised workers through schemes related to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection.
- The National Food Security Act, 2013: Also known as the Right to Food Act, it legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidised food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.
- The Code on Social Security, 2020: This comprehensive code consolidates and amends laws relating to social security with the goal of extending coverage to all employees and workers, including those in the unorganised sector.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite significant progress, challenges remain in achieving universal social protection:
- Informal Sector Coverage: A large portion of India’s workforce is engaged in the informal sector, making it challenging to extend formal social security benefits to these workers.
- Awareness and Accessibility: Ensuring that eligible beneficiaries are aware of and can access these schemes remains a critical hurdle.
- Financial Sustainability: Maintaining the financial viability of these expansive programs requires continuous assessment and efficient allocation of resources.
To address these challenges, the government is focusing on digital inclusion, streamlining delivery mechanisms, and enhancing inter-ministerial coordination. The integration of technology through platforms like the eShram portal exemplifies efforts to create a more inclusive and accessible social security system.
Conclusion
India’s doubling of social protection coverage within a span of three years is a testament to the government’s
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