Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – India has been awarded the prestigious International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025. The award ceremony took place on October 3, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, recognizing India's significant expansion of social protection coverage for its citizens.
Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, accepted the award on behalf of India. He highlighted the nation's substantial progress in social protection and its robust digital infrastructure. The WSSF 2025 convened over 1,500 delegates from more than 130 countries to discuss the evolving landscape of social security.
India's social protection coverage has surged dramatically, increasing from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, extending benefits to over 940 million citizens. This remarkable growth is attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and the principle of 'Antyodaya.' The e-Shram portal, a national database for unorganized workers, has been instrumental in this expansion, connecting over 310 million individuals to various social welfare schemes. The National Career Service (NCS) portal also supports skilled youth by linking them to employment opportunities while ensuring their social security coverage.
The World Social Security Forum, held from September 29 to October 3, 2025, served as a crucial platform for global dialogue on shaping social security in a transitioning world. Discussions addressed challenges and opportunities arising from demographic shifts, labor market dynamics, technological advancements, and sustainability. India's recognition underscores its commitment to enhancing social security systems and its leadership in promoting inclusive and universal social protection, further supported by its extensive digital public infrastructure.
The ISSA Award, presented every three years, has previously been awarded to Brazil (2013), China (2016), Rwanda (2019), and Iceland (2022). India's achievement is a testament to its policy reforms, technological integration, and deep-seated commitment to citizen well-being, positioning it as a leader in global social protection discourse, further evidenced by its securing 30 seats in the ISSA General Assembly, the largest number of votes among all countries.