♦ According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), India has achieved a remarkable milestone in social security, expanding coverage from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, bringing over 94 crore people under at least one social protection benefit.

♦ This unprecedented 45-percentage-point increase over a decade, acknowledged by the ILO on its ILOSTAT database, positions India as a global leader in social protection, second only to China in the number of beneficiaries. 

♦ Social security, as defined by the ILO, ensures access to healthcare and income security during times of old age, sickness, unemployment, disability, maternity, work injury, or loss of a breadwinner.

♦ India’s comprehensive system includes social insurance, welfare payments, and in-kind benefits like food and shelter security.