New Delhi: In a groundbreaking recognition of its transformative efforts, India has secured the esteemed International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security. This accolade was bestowed during the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking a significant moment for the nation’s commitment to inclusive welfare. As global leaders and experts convened at this premier event, India’s strides in broadening social protection were celebrated, underscoring the country’s rapid progress under forward-thinking governance.
The award spotlights India’s dramatic surge in social security coverage, which has leaped from a modest 19% in 2015 to an impressive 64.3% by 2025. This expansion now encompasses more than 940 million citizens, a feat verified by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Such growth not only reflects policy innovation but also positions India as a leader in global social welfare systems. Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, accepted the honor on behalf of the Government of India, emphasizing how this achievement aligns with the visionary leadership driving the nation forward.
Driving Forces Behind India’s Social Security Revolution
India’s journey to this prestigious recognition has been fueled by a multifaceted strategy aimed at fortifying social protections for all segments of society. Central to this success are the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), which have been instrumental in extending healthcare, pension, and insurance benefits to the workforce. These institutions have streamlined service delivery, ensuring that millions benefit from structured support systems.
A key pillar of this expansion involves simplifying legislative frameworks. For instance, the Social Security Code of 2020 consolidated nine existing laws into a unified structure, extending protections to workers across organized and unorganized sectors. This reform has made social security more accessible, breaking down barriers that previously excluded vast portions of the labor force.
Complementing these legal changes are robust digital and financial infrastructures. Initiatives like the Jan Dhan Yojana have promoted financial inclusion by opening bank accounts for the underserved, while Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms have ensured efficient disbursement of welfare funds directly to beneficiaries, minimizing leakages and enhancing transparency.
Empowering the Informal and Unorganized Sectors
A significant portion of India’s workforce operates in informal and unorganized domains, making targeted interventions crucial. The e-Shram Portal stands out as a revolutionary tool in this regard, serving as a national database that has registered over 310 million unorganized workers since its launch in 2021. This multilingual platform acts as a one-stop solution, linking users to various social welfare schemes and facilitating seamless access to benefits. Praised by the ISSA itself, the portal’s impact has been transformative, enabling workers to navigate entitlements with ease.
Additional schemes have further bolstered security for vulnerable groups. The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) provides pension options for the informal sector, encouraging long-term savings and retirement planning. Similarly, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana supports artisans and craftsmen by offering skill development and financial aid, integrating them into broader social safety nets.
Advancing Health, Food, and Insurance Protections
Health and nutrition form core components of India’s social security framework. The Ayushman Bharat program has revolutionized healthcare access, providing coverage to millions through insurance and preventive services. In tandem, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) addresses food security by distributing free grains to the needy, mitigating hunger amid economic challenges.
Insurance schemes have also seen widespread adoption. The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) offers affordable accident insurance, safeguarding individuals against unforeseen risks and providing financial relief to families in times of crisis.
Focus on Women’s Empowerment and Broader Initiatives
Recognizing the unique vulnerabilities faced by women, India has implemented targeted empowerment programs. The Lakhpati Didi Initiative aims to create millionaire women entrepreneurs in rural areas, fostering economic independence through training and support. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has distributed clean cooking fuel connections, improving health outcomes and reducing drudgery for millions of households.
Beyond these, the National Career Service (NCS) portal plays a vital role in bridging employment gaps. Integrated with the e-Shram system, it connects skilled youth to job opportunities both domestically and globally, all while preserving their social security entitlements. This integration ensures that career mobility does not compromise welfare benefits, promoting a dynamic labor market.
The Imperative of Social Security in India’s Context
Social security represents a society’s commitment to safeguarding individuals and families, granting access to essential healthcare and income stability. Acknowledged as a fundamental human right, it is particularly vital in India due to structural challenges. The nation grapples with a predominantly unorganized labor force, where traditional employment protections are often absent.
Moreover, the erosion of the traditional joint family system—once a cornerstone of informal support through shared resources—has heightened the need for formal mechanisms. Economic disparities persist, with 5.25% of the population living below the poverty line, as defined by the World Bank’s $3.00 (PPP/day) threshold for 2022–23. These factors underscore the urgency of comprehensive social protections to prevent vulnerability and promote equity.
Ministerial Insights and Global Recognition
In his address at the WSSF, Dr. Mandaviya attributed the accolade to the guiding principle of Antyodaya, which prioritizes uplifting the most marginalized. “This award is a testament to the vision of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and to our guiding principle of Antyodaya, empowering the last person in the line, that has shaped our journey towards inclusive and universal social protection,” he remarked.
The minister elaborated on India’s digital prowess, highlighting how platforms like e-Shram and NCS exemplify efficient last-mile delivery. He noted the NCS’s authenticated database of skilled workers, accessible to employers worldwide, ensuring global opportunities align with domestic security nets.
Dr. Mandaviya also praised EPFO and ESIC for their comprehensive offerings in healthcare, insurance, and pensions. During a plenary session at the World Social Security Summit, he discussed the evolving landscape of social security amid technological and labor shifts. “We are strengthening our social security through comprehensive policy, process, and digital reforms,” he stated. “India is leveraging technology to create new income opportunities and social security net through a holistic approach that combines financial access, skilling, self-employment, and digital innovation.”
Emphasizing India’s readiness to lead, he added, “India stands at the forefront—ready to shape the future and inspire the world’s youth.” This holistic strategy interlinks financial inclusion, skill enhancement, self-employment, and technological advancements to foster sustainable growth.
On the international front, India’s influence has grown substantially. The country now commands 30 seats in the ISSA General Assembly, securing the highest vote share among all nations. This elevated representation reflects India’s burgeoning role in shaping global social security dialogues.
The WSSF 2025, attended by over 1,200 policymakers and professionals from 163 countries, served as a platform for this triennial award. India emerges as the fifth recipient since the award’s inception, joining elite nations in social protection excellence. The ISSA extended official congratulations, stating, “Congratulations to the Government of India for winning the prestigious ISSA Award for Outstanding Achievements in Social Security 2025.”
Reflections on India’s Path Forward
This recognition arrives amid ongoing reforms that continue to evolve India’s social landscape. From digital innovations to policy overhauls, the focus remains on creating resilient systems that adapt to changing needs. The integration of schemes like e-Shram with NCS exemplifies how technology can bridge gaps, ensuring that unorganized workers—over 310 million strong—gain equitable access.
As posted by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi on October 3, 2025, at 10:50 AM, these developments signal India’s commitment to universal coverage. Additional updates from sources like Shivam’s post on October 4, 2025, at 01:39 PM, reiterate the key metrics: coverage from 19% to 64.3%, benefiting 940 million, with digital tools at the helm.
In essence, the ISSA Award 2025 validates India’s proactive stance in social security, driven by a blend of innovation, inclusion, and international collaboration. As the nation forges ahead, these efforts promise to not only secure its citizens but also serve as a model for the world, inspiring reforms in social protection globally.
This achievement under the Modi government’s stewardship highlights a decade of dedicated progress, transforming social security from a limited privilege to a widespread right. With continued emphasis on digital infrastructure and holistic policies, India is poised to further elevate its welfare framework, ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of prosperity.
FAQs
1. What is the ISSA Award 2025, and why was India awarded it?
The ISSA Award 2025 for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security, conferred by the International Social Security Association, recognizes India’s remarkable expansion of social security coverage from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, benefiting over 940 million citizens. Presented at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the award highlights India’s innovative policies, digital infrastructure like the e-Shram portal, and the pivotal roles of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in advancing universal social protection.
2. How has India expanded its social security coverage?
India achieved its significant increase in social security coverage through multiple strategies:
Targeted Schemes: Initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat for healthcare, Atal Pension Yojana for pensions, and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana for insurance have broadened coverage, alongside efforts like the Lakhpati Didi Initiative for women’s empowerment.
Legislative Reforms: The Social Security Code of 2020 consolidated nine laws to extend protections to all workers, including those in the unorganized sector.
Digital Infrastructure: The e-Shram portal, registering over 310 million unorganized workers, and the National Career Service (NCS) portal connect workers to welfare schemes and job opportunities.
Financial Inclusion: Programs like Jan Dhan Yojana and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ensure efficient delivery of benefits.
3. What is the e-Shram portal, and why is it significant?
The e-Shram portal, launched in 2021, is a national digital database that has registered over 310 million unorganized sector workers in just four years. It serves as a multilingual, one-stop platform connecting workers to various social welfare schemes. Lauded by the ISSA for its transformative impact, the portal ensures seamless access to benefits like pensions, insurance, and healthcare, significantly contributing to India’s social security expansion.
4. What roles do EPFO and ESIC play in India’s social security system?
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) are cornerstone institutions in India’s social security framework. EPFO provides pension and provident fund benefits, ensuring long-term financial security for workers. ESIC delivers healthcare, insurance, and other benefits, particularly for employees in the organized sector. Their efforts have been critical in extending coverage to millions, supporting India’s rise to 64.3% social security coverage by 2025.
5. How does India’s achievement impact its global standing in social security?
India’s recognition with the ISSA Award 2025 places it among the world’s leading nations in social protection, as the fifth recipient since the award’s inception. The country’s increased representation in the ISSA General Assembly, holding 30 seats—the highest vote share globally—reflects its growing influence in international social security discussions. This milestone, acknowledged by the International Labour Organization (ILO), underscores India’s holistic approach, combining policy reforms, digital innovation, and financial inclusion, positioning it as a model for global social welfare systems.
