India Wins ISSA Award 2025 as Social Security Coverage Expands from 19% to 64% in a Decade

India has secured global recognition for its rapid expansion of social protection, becoming the fifth nation to receive the International Social Security Association’s (ISSA) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security. The award was presented at the World Social Security Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya accepted the honour, calling it a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive and universal social protection.

 

From Fragmentation to Integration

 

In 2015, less than one in five Indians had access to social security. By 2025, coverage had jumped to over 64 percent, reflecting a decade of reforms that restructured fragmented programs into an integrated, lifecycle-based safety net. The government highlighted schemes such as PM POSHAN, which addresses child nutrition; Janani Suraksha Yojana, which promotes safe motherhood; PM-KISAN, offering direct support to farmers; and the National Old Age Pension Scheme, providing assistance to senior citizens. This transformation reflects a shift from reactive welfare to proactive empowerment. Mandaviya emphasized that reforms in policy, processes, and technology have been central to this expansion, bringing millions into the fold of formalized protection.

 

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Global Recognition of Indian Reforms

 

The ISSA award, presented every three years, honours countries that have demonstrated groundbreaking achievements in building resilient social security systems. Since its inception in 2013, the award has gone to Brazil, China, Rwanda, and Iceland. India now joins this select group, underscoring its ability to combine large-scale delivery with innovation. Mandaviya said India’s success rests not only on program reach but also on inclusivity, ensuring that “the last person in the line” benefits. He added that digital platforms have allowed the government to connect social protection with financial access, skilling, and self-employment opportunities, strengthening both resilience and livelihoods.

 

Technology as a Force Multiplier

 

India’s reforms have leaned heavily on digital innovation. The integration of Aadhaar-linked systems and direct benefit transfers has reduced leakages, improved transparency, and accelerated payments to beneficiaries. The government is also investing in platforms that tie social security to broader development goals, ensuring that support programs are not seen as static handouts but as enablers of long-term income generation.

 

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A Decade of Change and Future Challenges

 

The recognition comes at a moment when India is positioning itself as both a growing economic power and a model of inclusive development. The leap from 19 percent to 64 percent coverage in ten years demonstrates scale and commitment, but challenges remain in expanding access to informal workers, migrant populations, and those at the edges of the formal economy. For now, the award is a marker of how far India has come. As Mandaviya noted, the journey is ongoing, with the ultimate goal of universal social protection. The ISSA award signals to the world that India’s approach combining digital capacity, political will, and a people-centric vision—offers valuable lessons for other countries navigating the complex balance of growth and equity.

 

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