India's Social Protection Coverage
A comprehensive data-pooling exercise led by the Union Labour Ministry in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights significant strides in India's social protection coverage.
Key Findings
- 65% of India's population, equating to 92 crore people, is covered by at least one social protection benefit.
- 48.8% of the population receives cash benefits.
Data Collection and Analysis
Over 200 crore records were processed using encrypted Aadhaar to identify unique beneficiaries across 34 major Central schemes, including MGNREGA, Employees Provident Fund, and Employees State Insurance.
Social Protection Coverage Growth
- According to the ILO's World Social Protection Report (WSPR) 2024-26, coverage doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024.
Underestimated Coverage
The ILO's assessment of 48.8% is considered an underestimation as it does not account for in-kind benefits such as food security and housing benefits, nor does it consider the social protection schemes administered by the States. The actual coverage is expected to be much higher.
Government Collaboration
The Union Labour Ministry is actively collaborating with State Governments and the ILO for a national social protection data pooling exercise. State Labour Departments are compiling data for Central Government consolidation, verification, and de-duplication.
Expansion of Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) expanded its coverage in Uttar Pradesh by notifying 15 additional districts under the ESI Scheme. Now, 74 out of 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh are covered.
- Newly notified districts include Ambedkar Nagar, Auraiya, Bahraich, Gonda, Hamirpur, Jalaun, Kannauj, Maharajganj, Mahoba, Pilibhit, Siddharthnagar, Shamli, Pratapgarh, Kasganj, and Shravasti.
