India Crosses 100 Crore
Key Highlights
- Social protection now covers over 100 crore citizens.
- Coverage increased from 19% in 2015 to 68.4%.
- ILO acknowledged India’s social security expansion.
- India received ISSA Award in 2025.
- Milestone announced during BRICS meeting.
India’s social protection coverage has crossed the 100 crore mark in 2026, according to Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The expansion has been recognised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as one of the fastest increases in social security coverage globally.
The minister said coverage has increased from around 25 crore citizens in 2015 to over 100 crore beneficiaries today, representing nearly 68.4 percent of India’s population. The achievement reflects the government’s efforts to expand welfare schemes across multiple sectors.
ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo acknowledged India’s progress during the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting held in Hyderabad. He noted that India’s experience offers valuable lessons for other developing economies through South-South cooperation.
India had earlier received the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 for its rapid expansion of social protection programmes. The country continues to strengthen access to pensions, insurance, healthcare and employment-related benefits.
Officials believe wider social protection coverage will improve financial security, reduce vulnerability and support inclusive economic growth while strengthening India’s labour market and welfare ecosystem.
