Social Protection Expansion

India has made remarkable strides in Social Protection Expansion over the last decade. At the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the country’s achievements in providing comprehensive social protection to its citizens.

India’s journey in expanding social security coverage from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025 now benefits over 940 million people, marking a milestone in the country’s social safety net initiatives.

International Recognition

This transformation earned India the prestigious International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 for “Outstanding Achievement in Social Security.” The award was presented at the forum attended by over 1,200 policymakers and professionals from 163 countries, reflecting international recognition of India’s social protection growth.

Such recognition underscores the significance of Social Protection Expansion in India’s development journey.

Role of Digital Infrastructure

A key driver of this Social Protection Expansion has been India’s focus on digital social protection systems. Two major initiatives have been central to this progress:

e-Shram Portal

• The e-Shram portal serves as a national database connecting over 310 million unorganized sector workers with relevant welfare programs.

• Available in multiple languages, the portal ensures that even the most vulnerable workers have access to universal coverage under India’s Social Protection Expansion framework.

National Career Service (NCS)

• Integrated with e-Shram, the National Career Service (NCS) platform connects skilled youth with employers while ensuring that social protection policies are not compromised.

• This platform allows citizens to pursue global employment opportunities without losing the benefits of India’s social safety net, further strengthening social protection expansion.

Contribution of EPFO and ESIC

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) have played a pivotal role in Social Protection Expansion. These institutions provide pensions, healthcare, insurance, and other social security benefits to India’s workforce, making social protection in India more inclusive and robust.

Holistic Approach and Forward Strategy

India’s strategy for social security expansion in 2025 is holistic, integrating policy reforms, digital social protection systems, and process improvements. The government emphasizes linking financial inclusion with social protection policies, skilling, self-employment, and other welfare initiatives.

Such an interconnected approach strengthens the social safety net and ensures universal coverage, making social protection expansion sustainable and effective.

Key Highlights for SSC Aspirants

For SSC exam preparation, it is essential to remember the following facts:

• Social security coverage: Increased from 19% (2015) to 64.3% (2025)

• Beneficiaries: Over 940 million people

• Key digital tools: e-Shram portal, NCS

• Institutional actors: EPFO and ESIC

• Awards & Recognition: ISSA Award 2025 for “Outstanding Achievement in Social Security”

This achievement underscores India’s journey in expanding social protection coverage and serves as an important case study for understanding how digital infrastructure boosts social protection in India. The focus on social welfare reforms in India and the adoption of global social protection strategies further strengthen social protection expansion.

Final Thoughts

India has made remarkable progress in Social Protection Expansion over the past decade, increasing coverage from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, benefiting over 940 million citizens. This achievement was recognized globally when India received the ISSA Award 2025 for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security at the World Social Security Forum in Kuala Lumpur.

A key factor behind this growth is India’s focus on digital social protection systems, including the e-Shram portal, which connects over 310 million unorganised workers to welfare programs, and the National Career Service (NCS), linking skilled youth with employers while preserving their social security benefits.

Institutions like the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) have been instrumental in providing pensions, healthcare, and insurance, strengthening the social safety net.

India’s approach combines policy reforms, digital innovation, and linking financial inclusion with social protection policies, creating a holistic and inclusive framework.