India’s Social Security Coverage Jumps To 64.3%: What Changed In 10 Years?

India has recorded a sharp rise in social security coverage over the last decade. According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), coverage increased from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, bringing more than 94 crore Indians under at least one social protection benefit. This progress has also been reflected in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) ILOSTAT database.

The increase represents a 45-percentage-point jump over 10 years, placing India among the leading countries globally in terms of the number of social protection beneficiaries.

Benefits Reached People More Directly

A key factor behind the expansion has been improved delivery of welfare benefits. Over time, India has strengthened systems that allow government support to reach beneficiaries faster and with fewer leakages.

As of June 18, 2025, India had 55.64 crore Jan Dhan accounts, which supported the wider implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

The government has reported that DBT helped save ₹3.48 lakh crore by March 2023, largely by reducing duplication and improving targeting.

Aadhaar Enabled Better Linking Of Schemes

The use of Aadhaar as a unique identifier has also supported the expansion of welfare coverage. Aadhaar-based authentication has made it easier to map beneficiaries across schemes and reduce duplication.

By June 27, 2025, India had issued 142 crore Aadhaar cards, making it one of the world’s largest digital identity systems.

This digital backbone has also enabled large-scale data verification for social protection coverage.

What Does Social Security Cover?

As defined by the ILO, social security includes access to healthcare and income security during situations like old age, sickness, unemployment, disability, maternity, work injury, and loss of a breadwinner. 

In India, social security is delivered through a mix of social insurance, welfare payments, and in-kind support such as food and shelter security.

Major Schemes Supporting Social Security Coverage

Several large-scale schemes have contributed to the rise in coverage. These include:

These schemes have expanded coverage across both organised and unorganised segments, as well as rural and urban households.

How Have New Labour Codes 2025 Expanded Social Security Coverage?

Labour reforms have also supported the broader push towards social security. The government has codified 29 labour laws into four Labour Codes, including the Social Security Code, 2020.

This is significant because the unorganised sector accounts for nearly 90% of India’s 50 crore workers. The Social Security Code aims to expand access to benefits such as insurance, pension, gratuity, and maternity support. 

It also includes measures such as expanding ESIC coverage and establishing a social security fund for unorganised workers.

Read more: 8th Pay Commission Website Goes Live: Govt Opens Public Consultation for Pay, Pension and Allowances.

Conclusion

India’s rise from 19% social security coverage in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025 reflects a significant expansion in the reach of welfare and protection systems. A combination of large public schemes, labour reforms, and digital tools such as Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and DBT has helped extend social protection to more than 94 crore people. With Phase II verification still underway, total coverage is expected to increase further in the coming years.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.