India has achieved a remarkable feat in expanding its social protection coverage, according to the latest data released by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The data indicates a surge from 19% in 2015 to an impressive 64.3% in 2025. This significant increase means that over 94 crore (940 million) Indian citizens now benefit from at least one form of social security, propelling India to the second position globally in terms of beneficiary count.

This leap in social protection coverage is being hailed as one of the fastest expansions worldwide. The ILO officially acknowledged India's achievement, publishing the updated data on its ILOSTAT dashboard. The Indian government sees this progress as a validation of its commitment to welfare-driven development and ensuring that pro-people schemes reach the maximum number of citizens.

Union Labour & Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, currently leading the Indian delegation at the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, attributed this success to the various labor welfare and pro-poor initiatives implemented by the government over the past 11 years. He emphasized that this milestone marks a crucial step towards "Antyodaya," empowering those at the margins of society.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded the increase, stating that it reflects the nation's dedication to ensuring welfare schemes reach the maximum number of people.

The ILO's assessment of India's social protection coverage is based on Phase I of a Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise, a collaborative effort between the government and the ILO. This initial phase concentrated on central sector schemes and women-centric programs across eight states. The criteria used by the ILO to determine coverage include schemes that are legislatively backed, cash-based, currently active, and supported by at least three years of verified data.

With Phase II of the data pooling exercise underway, officials anticipate that the total social protection coverage in India will exceed 100 crore (1 billion) upon verification of additional schemes by the ILO. This expansion is expected to further strengthen India's global engagements, particularly in finalizing social security agreements (SSAs) with developed nations.

Notably, India is the first country globally to update its 2025 social protection statistics in the ILOSTAT database. This positions India as a leader in digital governance and welfare data transparency.

ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo praised India's focused policy approach and lauded the efforts made under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership to strengthen the country's welfare infrastructure. He specifically commended India’s welfare policies targeted towards the poor and the labor class.