New Delhi: India has been awarded the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Social Security’ at the World Social Security Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Union Labour and Employment Minister and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya received the award, which recognises India’s progress in advancing social protection over the past decade.
India’s social security coverage has grown from 19 per cent in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025, reaching more than 940 million citizens. This expansion has also been recognised by the International Labour Organisation. Following the increase, India has secured 30 seats in the ISSA General Assembly, the highest vote share for any country.
Receiving the award, Dr. Mandaviya said, “This award is a testament to the vision of our Prime Minister, Shri 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.”
The award, presented once every three years, makes India the fifth country to be recognised for exceptional progress in social protection systems. The World Social Security Forum, attended by more than 1,200 policymakers and professionals from 163 countries, highlighted India’s digital innovations and outreach in expanding coverage to unorganised sector workers.
In his address, Dr. Mandaviya pointed to the role of India’s digital public infrastructure in enabling last mile delivery of welfare schemes. “The e-Shram portal is a National Digital Database that serves as a ‘One-Stop Solution’ connecting over 310 million unorganised workers with social welfare schemes through a multilingual, seamless interface,” he said.
He also highlighted the National Career Service (NCS) portal, which integrates with e-Shram to provide job opportunities alongside social security benefits. “Today, NCS has an authenticated database of skilled workforce, which is easily accessible for employers worldwide, and is integrated with e-Shram. This will ensure our skilled youth can access global opportunities without losing their social security benefits,” he noted.
The Minister also spoke about the contributions of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in providing pensions, insurance and healthcare to India’s workforce.
“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. India stands at the forefront, ready to shape the future and inspire the world’s youth,” Dr. Mandaviya said.
BI Bureau
