India’s social protection coverage has doubled to 48.8 percent in 2024 from 24.4 percent in 2021, driven by government welfare programs, the International Labour Organization said in its latest report on Tuesday.

The World Social Protection Report 2024-26 credited initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme and the eShram portal for contributing to the sharp increase in coverage.

The report also highlighted the role of India’s extensive food distribution network in supporting vulnerable populations.

“India’s expansion in social protection has significantly contributed to the global increase in coverage, reflecting its commitment to inclusive growth,” the ILO said.

According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, around 92 crore people, or 65 percent of the population, are now covered by at least one form of social protection through central government schemes.

The ILO noted this progress, which contributed to a 5-percentage-point rise in global social protection coverage.

Government Initiatives Drive Growth

Key programs include the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which has issued nearly 39.94 crore Ayushman Cards offering free health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh ($6,000) per family.

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana also provides free food grains to over 80.67 crore people.

The eShram portal, launched in 2021, has registered over 30.68 crore unorganized sector workers and given them various social security benefits.

The Atal Pension Yojana has enrolled more than 7.25 crore individuals, accumulating a corpus of ₹43,369 crore.

Data Pooling for Accurate Assessment

While the ILO’s report reflects substantial progress, Indian authorities argue actual coverage may be higher.

The government launched a Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise earlier this month to consolidate data from schemes across 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

“Our integration efforts using Aadhaar-based unique identification will offer a clearer picture of India’s social security landscape,” the ministry said.

During discussions at the ILO’s 353rd Governing Body meeting in Geneva, the organization acknowledged the need to include additional welfare measures, such as housing and food security, in future evaluations.

The report concluded that India’s efforts to expand its social protection framework reflect its commitment to sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.

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