India’s social security coverage soars from 19% to 64.3%

Achievement: Social security coverage in India expanded from 19% (2015) to 64.3% (2025) — a 45 percentage-point increase.

• Beneficiaries: Over 94 crore people now covered under at least one social protection benefit.
• Global Standing: Second only to China in absolute number of beneficiaries; recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) via the ILOSTAT database.

Definition of Social Security (ILO)

• Ensures healthcare access and income security during:
  • Old age
  • Sickness
  • Disability
  • Maternity
  • Work injury
  • Unemployment
  • Loss of breadwinner

Key Drivers of Expansion

• Labour Reforms:
  • Codification of 29 labour laws into 4 Labour Codes:
    1. Wage Code
    2. Social Security Code
    3. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code
    4. Industrial Relations Code
  • Extended protections to the unorganized sector (90% of 50 crore workers).
• Social Security Code, 2020 Highlights:
  • Covers insurance, pension, gratuity, maternity benefits.
  • Funded by employer-worker contributions and government support for vulnerable groups.
• Enablers:
  • Pro-poor welfare schemes
  • Simplified legislation
  • Robust digital infrastructure (DBT, Aadhaar-linked services)
  • Over 55.64 crore Jan Dhan accounts as of June 18, 2025, have enabled direct benefit transfers
  • Key Schemes:
    • Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY),
    • Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
    • Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM)
    • e-Shram portal
    • Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
    • PM Vishwakarma Yojana.

Broader Impact

• A comprehensive safety net combining social insurance, welfare payments, and in-kind benefits (food, shelter security).

(Source: PIB)