 has acknowledged the unprecedented rise in India’s social protection coverage over the past decade){kind=link}
JUNE 11: In a major global recognition of India’s social welfare efforts, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has acknowledged the unprecedented rise in India’s social protection coverage over the past decade. According to the latest data published in the ILOSTAT database, India’s social protection coverage has surged from 19% in 2015 to an impressive 64.3% in 2025 — marking the fastest expansion in the world.
This significant leap, which has extended benefits to over 94 crore citizens, places India second globally in terms of total beneficiaries covered under at least one form of social protection. The achievement is being seen as a result of the Modi government’s sustained commitment to inclusive growth, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.
During a bilateral meeting with ILO Director General Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo on the sidelines of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Union Minister for Labour, Employment, Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, presented India’s accomplishments in labour welfare and social security. He elaborated on the extensive national-level Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise, conducted in collaboration with the ILO, which enabled a transparent and verifiable mapping of beneficiaries across the country.
The ILO, after validating India’s efforts against its stringent global standards, updated its database to reflect this milestone. The organization’s criteria require that schemes be legally mandated, cash-based, operational, and backed by verified data spanning at least three years. India is now the first country to have updated its 2025 data in the ILOSTAT database, underscoring its leadership in digital governance and welfare transparency.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that this achievement reflects the Modi government’s tireless pursuit of empowering the marginalized, especially under its Antyodaya mission aimed at uplifting the last mile and ensuring no one is left behind. He further highlighted that the current figures only represent Phase I of the exercise, covering central sector and women-centric schemes in eight states. With Phase II underway, India’s total social protection coverage is expected to cross 100 crore after the inclusion of additional verified schemes.
The expansion of India’s social protection system will also strengthen its global position in negotiating Social Security Agreements (SSAs), ensuring portability of benefits for Indian professionals abroad and enhancing bilateral cooperation on labour mobility and trade.
Dr. Mandaviya is currently leading the Indian delegation at the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva from June 10th to 12th, 2025.