New Delhi: India has been honoured with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security, marking a significant global recognition of the country’s progress in extending social protection to its citizens.
The ISSA award, presented at the World Social Security Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was received by Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, on behalf of the Government of India.
With this, India becomes only the fifth nation to win the triennial ISSA award since 2013, joining Brazil, China, Rwanda and Iceland. The country also secured the highest representation in the ISSA General Assembly with 30 seats, the largest vote share for any member nation.
Over the past decade, India’s social security coverage has risen from 19 per cent in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025, now reaching over 94 crore citizens. The achievement reflects a unified approach across central and state welfare schemes, including pension, maternity, disability and income support programmes.
A major contributor to this success is the e-Shram portal, recognised by ISSA for its “transformative impact.” Since its launch, e-Shram has registered over 31 crore unorganised workers, providing them with a 12-digit Universal Account Number linked to key welfare and employment platforms such as National Career Service and Skill India Digital Hub.
Built on the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile) framework, India’s social security system integrates over 14 welfare schemes, ensuring seamless, transparent and portable benefits delivery. From EPFO and ESIC for organised sector workers to PM-SYM, PM-KISAN and Atal Pension Yojana for informal workers, the reforms underscore the government’s vision of “Antyodaya”, uplifting the last person in the queue.
ISSA hailed e-Shram as a replicable model for other developing nations, showcasing India’s leadership in using digital innovation to deliver inclusive social protection at scale.
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