Delhi, 11 June (H.S.): Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,’ India achieved a significant milestone in social protection coverage, increasing from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, a remarkable 45 percentage point rise. During a bilateral discussion with ILO Director General Gilbert F. Houngbo at the International Labour Conference (ILC), Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the pro-poor and labor welfare schemes implemented by the Modi Government over the last 11 years. The Minister informed the DG ILO about the national Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise conducted in collaboration with the ILO. Recognizing India’s efforts, the ILO reported that 64.3% of the population, or over 94 crore people, are now covered by at least one social protection benefit, a rise from just 19% in 2015. India ranks second globally in terms of beneficiary count, providing coverage to around 94 crore citizens. DG ILO praised India's focused welfare policies for the poor and labor classes under Modi's leadership. The ILO's criteria for evaluating schemes include legislative backing, cash provision, active status, and verified time series data for the last three years.

Dr. Mandaviya, addressing from Geneva, highlighted India's noteworthy progress in expanding social protection coverage under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. This growth is recognized as the fastest globally and exemplifies the government's pledge to Antyodaya, ensuring no one is left behind. The current milestones reflect only Phase I of a data pooling initiative centered on beneficiary data from Central sector and women-centric schemes in eight states. With Phase II in progress, further verification by the ILO is anticipated to push India's total social protection coverage beyond 100 crore.

India stands out as the first nation to refresh its 2025 social protection coverage data in the ILOSTAT database, emphasizing its role in promoting digital governance and welfare system transparency. The expansion of social protection coverage is poised to enhance India's international collaborations, especially in advancing Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with developed countries. These agreements will facilitate the portability of benefits for Indian professionals abroad while providing transparency for partner nations in mutual recognition processes. This development will significantly strengthen India's standing in trade and labor mobility discussions, illustrating a robust social protection framework.

Dr. Mandaviya is leading an Indian delegation in Geneva from June 10 to 12, 2025, for the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) of the ILO.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar