Context: According to the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) World Social Protection Report 2024-26, India’s social protection coverage has doubled to 48.8% in 2024.
Relevance of the topic: Prelims: World Social Protection Report; Key Government Initiatives.
Major Highlights:
- India’s social protection coverage has doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024 as per ILO’s World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-26.
- A comprehensive data pooling exercise by the Union Ministry of Labour in collaboration with ILO shows:
- Nearly 92 crore people, or 65% of India’s population is covered by at least one form of social protection, whether in cash or in-kind, through central government schemes.
- More than 200 crore records were processed to identify unique beneficiaries by utilising encrypted Aadhaar across 34 major Central schemes such as the MGNREGA, Employees Provident Fund and Employees State Insurance.
Criticism
- ILO’s assessment of 48.8% is considered an underestimation as it does not include:
- In-kind benefits like food security (E.g., PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana), housing, and health benefits.
- State-administered social welfare schemes.
World Social Protection Report
- Comprehensive assessment published periodically by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). ILO is a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to labour rights and social justice.
- The report evaluates social protection systems globally, examining their coverage, effectiveness, and progress in ensuring social security for diverse populations.
- Utility: key resource for governments and policymakers to work towards stronger and more inclusive welfare systems.
Expanding Social Security: Key Government Initiatives
- Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: As of March 2025, over 39 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued, offering free health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family. The scheme is accessible at 24,810 empanelled hospitals nationwide.
- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: Provides free food grains to vulnerable populations. As of December 2024, over 80.6 crore people are receiving free food grains, close to the intended coverage of 81.35 crore beneficiaries.
- eShram Portal (2021): To create a National Database of Unorganised Workers. A Universal Account Number (UAN) is given to workers for enhanced social security. As of March, 2025, over 30 crore unorganised workers have registered (53% of them being women).
- Atal Pension Yojana (2015): Provides universal social security to underprivileged and unorganised sector workers. Along with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, it strengthens the social security system.
Over the past decade, India’s social security measures have helped lift 24.8 crore people out of multidimensional poverty.