{"id":102146,"date":"2026-05-06T17:19:50","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:49:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=102146"},"modified":"2026-05-06T17:19:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T11:49:50","slug":"social-security-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/social-security-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Security in India, Status, Schemes &#038; Challenges, Measures"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social Security in India refers to government measures that protect people from financial difficulties like illness, unemployment, or old age. It ensures a basic standard of living for all citizens. These include schemes related to healthcare, pensions, and welfare support. Overall, it promotes social justice and reduces inequality.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Social Security in India Status<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s <\/span><b>social protection coverage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> increased from <\/span><b>24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as per the<\/span><b> International Labour Organization report.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around <\/span><b>920 million people (about 65% of the population)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are covered by at least one form of social protection through central schemes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s progress contributed to a <\/span><b>5 percentage point rise in global social protection coverage.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The expansion is driven by major government initiatives providing <\/span><b>healthcare, pensions, employment support, and food security.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key schemes include:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ~39.94 crore cards issued; \u20b95 lakh health cover per family.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>PMGKAY:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ~80.67 crore people receiving free food grains.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>eShram Portal:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ~30.68 crore unorganised workers registered (53.68% women).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/atal-pension-yojana\/\" target=\"_blank\">Atal Pension Yojana<\/a> (APY):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ~7.25 crore subscribers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social Security measures helped <\/span><b>24.8 crore people escape multidimensional poverty in the last decade.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The report notes that actual coverage may be higher, as some benefits (like food and housing) and state schemes are not fully included.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has launched a <\/span><b>Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise (2025)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to improve accurate assessment of coverage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Over 200 crore records across 34 schemes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have been integrated using Aadhaar-based identification.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The report highlights <\/span><b>India\u2019s growing role in strengthening global welfare systems and inclusive development.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Schemes to Promote Social Security in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/pradhan-mantri-shram-yogi-maandhan-yojana-pm-sym\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana<\/a> (PM-SYM)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana is a <\/span><b>pension scheme for workers in the unorganised sector<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like street vendors, labourers, and small workers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People aged <\/span><b>18-40 years earning less than \u20b915,000 per month can join.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They contribute a <\/span><b>small amount every month (\u20b955-\u20b9200),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the government contributes an equal amount.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the age of <\/span><b>60 years,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the person gets a <\/span><b>fixed pension of \u20b93000 per month.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the person dies, <\/span><b>the spouse gets 50% of the pension.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If both husband and wife join, <\/span><b>they can get \u20b96000 per month together.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>National Pension Scheme for Traders &amp; Self-Employed (NPS-Traders)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This scheme is for<\/span><b> small shopkeepers, traders, and self-employed people.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Entry age is <\/span><b>18-40 years with annual turnover up to \u20b91.5 crore.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monthly contribution is shared equally between the person and the government.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After 60 years, the beneficiary gets a <\/span><b>monthly pension of \u20b93000.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/pradhan-mantri-jeevan-jyoti-bima-yojana-pmjjby\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana<\/a><\/strong> provides <\/span><b>life insurance coverage.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Available to people aged <\/span><b>18-50 years with a bank account.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Very low <\/span><b>premium of about \u20b9436 per year.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides <\/span><b>\u20b92 lakh to the family in case of death (any reason).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/pradhan-mantri-suraksha-bima-yojana\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana <\/a><\/strong><b>offers accident insurance.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Available for people aged 18-70 years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Premium is <\/span><b>very low (around \u20b920 per year).<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides <\/span><b>\u20b92 lakh for accidental death<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or full disability and <\/span><b>\u20b91 lakh for partial disability.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/atal-pension-yojana\/\" target=\"_blank\">Atal Pension Yojana<\/a> (APY)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atal Pension Yojana is a pension scheme for <\/span><b>long-term financial security.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open to people aged <\/span><b>18-40 years with a bank account.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After 60 years, a person can receive a monthly pension <\/span><b>between \u20b91000 and \u20b95000.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After death, the pension amount <\/span><b>goes to the spouse or nominee.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Public Distribution System (PDS)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public Distribution System provides <\/span><b>subsidised food grains to poor families.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Families <\/span><b>below the poverty line get 35 kg of food grains per month.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also supports migrant workers through <\/span><b>One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so they can get food anywhere in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana &#8211; Gramin (PMAY-G)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">helps poor families build houses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focuses on f<\/span><b>amilies without proper housing or stable income.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides<\/span><b> \u20b91.2 lakh in plain areas and \u20b91.3 lakh in hilly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> areas for building homes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Social Assistance Programme supports <\/span><b>elderly, widows, and poor people.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides <\/span><b>monthly pensions for people with little or no income.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Central government gives \u20b9300-\u20b9500,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and states may add more (total around \u20b91000\u2013\u20b93000).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Ayushman Bharat &#8211; PM Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana <\/span><b>provides free health insurance to poor families.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Covers <\/span><b>\u20b95 lakh per family per year for hospital treatment.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focuses on vulnerable groups like <\/span><b>SC\/ST families and poor households.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A pension scheme for small and marginal farmers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Entry age: 18-40 years, with land up to 2 hectares.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides <\/span><b>\u20b93000 monthly pension after 60 years.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contribution is shared equally by farmers and the government.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helps manual scavengers shift to safer and better jobs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Provides \u20b940,000 one-time financial assistance.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offers free skill training with a<\/span><b> monthly stipend of \u20b93000.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aims to ensure dignity and sustainable livelihood.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Code on Social Security, 2020<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Code on Social Security, 2020<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> brings together <\/span><b>9 different labour laws into one,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> making the system simpler and easier to understand and follow. It aims to give <\/span><b>Social Security to all workers,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including organised, unorganised, gig, and platform workers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the first time, <\/span><b>gig and platform workers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (like delivery agents and app-based workers) are officially recognised. <\/span><b>A Social Security Fund<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is created to support them with benefits like <\/span><b>insurance, healthcare, and pensions,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with help from the government and other sources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The law expands coverage of <\/span><b>Provident Fund (EPF) and ESIC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so that more workers and workplaces are included. Now, establishments with <\/span><b>20 or more workers must provide EPF, and ESIC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is extended across the country, even allowing small firms to join voluntarily.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>national database and registration system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will be created for <\/span><b>unorganised workers. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each worker will get a <\/span><b>unique ID linked with Aadhaar,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> making it easier to access benefits anywhere in India, especially for migrant workers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><b> definition of wages is standardised,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which helps in increasing benefits like gratuity, pension, and leave salary. The<\/span><b> definition of family is also expanded,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so more dependents can receive benefits.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Workers are now protected even <\/span><b>during accidents while travelling to or from work,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which are treated as work-related, allowing them or their families to receive compensation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fixed-term (contract) employees get better protection, as they are now <\/span><b>eligible for gratuity after just one year,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and they receive benefits similar to permanent workers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Code gives strong support to women, including <\/span><b>26 weeks of maternity leave, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">option for <\/span><b>work from home, nursing breaks, and cr\u00e8che facilities at workplaces.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If such facilities are not provided, financial support must be given.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also makes processes easier for businesses by introducing <\/span><b>digital systems,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reducing paperwork, and allowing <\/span><b>online records and filings.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Inspections are now more transparent through an <\/span><b>Inspector-cum-Facilitator system, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which focuses on helping rather than punishing employers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many <\/span><b>minor offences are now treated with fines<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> instead of imprisonment, and employers are given time to correct mistakes. This reduces legal pressure and promotes voluntary compliance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Code also supports <\/span><b>employment by setting up career centres<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to connect job seekers with employers and expanding benefits to workers who were earlier not covered, especially in the informal sector.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Social Security in India Challenges<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A key challenge is <\/span><b>insufficient funding, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as many Social Security schemes do not receive enough budget to <\/span><b>meet the needs of poor and vulnerable people.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even <\/span><b>when funds are available, poor utilisation and weak management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lead to delays and unspent money, reducing the impact of these schemes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Corruption and leakages<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> remain a concern, with benefits sometimes going to wrong or fake beneficiaries due to weak verification systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many schemes have <\/span><b>limited coverage and low benefits,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> leaving out deserving people and providing very small financial support.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rise of <\/span><b>digital systems has created a digital divide,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as many people in rural areas lack access to the internet and technology.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A large share of workers in India are in the<\/span><b> informal sector,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where they do not receive proper job security or social protection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is also <\/span><b>low awareness, complex procedures, and poor coordination<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between authorities, which make it difficult for people to access benefits.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Measures to Promote Social Security in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India should <\/span><b>aim for universal Social Security,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ensuring every worker gets basic protection like pension, insurance, and income support.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schemes like the <\/span><b>Employees&#8217; Provident Fund Organisation should be strengthened, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with higher and regular contributions for better future security.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Informal workers should be included<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by allowing small, flexible contributions, while the government supports those who cannot afford to pay.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expanding digital systems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like the e-Shram Portal can improve delivery, but support must be given to people with limited digital access.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Employers should be made responsible <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for providing Social Security benefits, which will also encourage formalisation of jobs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>A single national labour card<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help workers access benefits anywhere in India, especially migrants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The system should be <\/span><b>simplified, better funded, and more transparent, with greater awareness<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> so that workers can easily access the benefits meant for them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Social Security in India ensures income, health and welfare support through schemes like pensions, insurance and food security, reducing poverty and inequality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":101981,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[5248,5249,7380],"class_list":{"0":"post-102146","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-indian-society","9":"tag-indian-society-notes","10":"tag-social-security-in-india","11":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102146"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":102187,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102146\/revisions\/102187"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/101981"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=102146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}