India’s Advancements in Social Protection: A Data-Driven Revolution

Current Affairs National

Posted by newadmin on 2025-03-27 08:46:47 |

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India has made significant strides in expanding social protection coverage, with 65% of the population, approximately 92 crore people, now benefiting from at least one social protection program. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), initiated a comprehensive data-pooling exercise on 19 March 2025. The project aims to consolidate data from various central schemes such as MGNREGA, Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), and Employees' State Insurance (ESI), processing over 200 crore records using Aadhaar as a unique identifier.

The data initiative is designed to identify unique beneficiaries, streamline welfare spending, and enhance the targeting of benefits. According to the ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2024-26, India’s coverage has grown substantially, from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024. However, this report may not fully capture the impact of in-kind benefits like food security and housing.

The data-pooling exercise is a collaborative effort involving state governments, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and other key states. This initiative is set to improve the management of social protection schemes, optimize welfare spending, and position India as a leader in social protection on the global stage.

Additionally, the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme has expanded in Uttar Pradesh, covering 74 out of 75 districts, further strengthening social security for workers in the region.

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