ILO recognises 101 crore Indians under social protection
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India’s social protection systems now cover about 101 crore people, or over 68 per cent of the population, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on 31 July 2026. He spoke at the 4th Global Industrial Relations Summit in New Delhi. The ILO had highlighted the figure at the BRICS Labour Ministers’ Meeting in Hyderabad the week before.
- Released
- 31 Jul 2026, Labour Ministry
- Coverage
- about 101 crore people, over 68% of the population
- Measure
- covered by at least one social protection criterion (ILO estimate)
- Event
- 4th Global Industrial Relations Summit, New Delhi
- Organisers
- All India Organisation of Employers with FICCI and ILO
- Earlier mention
- ILO at BRICS Labour Ministers’ Meeting, Hyderabad
Social protection coverage in India: what happened?
The ILO counts a person as covered if at least one social protection criterion applies to them. By that measure India has crossed one billion people. The Minister used the figure to argue that growth, jobs and welfare are moving together.
- The Minister said every one per cent of GDP growth now brings 1.11 per cent employment growth, against 0.008 per cent twelve years ago.
- He said well-run private hospitals could be designated as ESIC facilities in an upcoming reform.
- EPFO has moved to fully digital claims and automatic transfer of accounts on a single UAN.
- UPI-based withdrawal from EPFO is under consideration.
- He stressed self-help groups and cooperatives, especially those led by women.
What does “covered” mean here?
- The ILO estimate counts people covered by at least one social protection criterion.
- It measures breadth of reach, not how large or adequate each benefit is.
Why does social protection coverage in India matter?
- Welfare: Shows wide reach of India’s safety net.
- Labour reform: Points to changes in ESIC and EPFO services.
What can Prelims ask on social protection coverage in India?
- About 101 crore people, over 68% of the population, under social protection (ILO estimate).
- 4th Global Industrial Relations Summit, New Delhi, July 2026.
- ESIC may designate private hospitals; EPFO single-UAN auto transfer.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-07-31): labour Minister said about 101 crore people are covered by social protection, as recognised by the ILO.
- Coverage depth (benefit adequacy) matters as much as breadth.
Quotable data pointLabour Minister said about 101 crore people are covered by social protection, as recognised by the ILO.
PIB: Labour: 101 crore under social security, 31 Jul 2026
Exam angle
Mains: Universal social security for informal workers.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
According to the ILO estimate cited in July 2026, India's social protection coverage is about
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB (Labour), 31 Jul 2026: about 101 crore people, over 68 per cent.
Questions students ask about this
How many Indians are covered by social protection?
About 101 crore people, over 68 per cent of the population, according to the ILO estimate cited by the Labour Minister.
What counts as being covered?
Being covered by at least one social protection criterion, as the ILO measures it.
What reforms did the Minister mention?
Designating well-run private hospitals as ESIC facilities and EPFO's digital claims, with UPI-based withdrawal under consideration.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Labour: 101 crore under social security, 31 Jul 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending