NEW DELHI, 08 0ctober 2025 – In a landmark achievement for the nation, India has been conferred the Outstanding Achievement in Social Security Award 2025
by the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The award was formally received by the Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs
& Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, at a ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last week.
The prestigious award recognises India’s “exemplary efforts in expanding social protection and ensuring inclusive welfare for its citizens,” marking the
country as a global leader in the social security domain.
A Testament to Transformative Reforms
In a media interaction following the announcement, Dr. Mandaviya stated that the award is a direct validation of the transformative reforms undertaken by
the Government of India over the past decade. He underscored the significance of this international recognition, linking it directly to the government’s
proactive policy measures.
Highlighting India’s growing clout on the global stage, the Minister also pointed to a substantial increase in India’s vote share within the ISSA General
Assembly. “This milestone reflects India’s growing influence and leadership in shaping global social security dialogue and cooperation,” Dr. Mandaviya said,
noting that the country’s share has risen to 30 votes—the maximum permissible limit for any member nation.
A Legacy of Prestige and a Decade of Progress
The ISSA Award, presented once every three years at the World Social Security Forum, is one of the highest international honours in the field. India now
joins a distinguished list of previous recipients, including Brazil (2013), China (2016), Rwanda (2019), and Iceland (2022).
This accolade follows a period of unprecedented expansion in India’s social security coverage. Citing International Labour Organisation (ILO) data, the
government highlighted a dramatic surge in protection—from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025. This monumental effort has brought over **94 crore (940 million)
Indian citizens** under the formal umbrella of social security.
e-Shram Portal: The Engine of Inclusion
A key driver behind this success has been the e-Shram Portal, launched four years ago as a cornerstone of the digital inclusion strategy.
The portal has successfully registered and connected more than 31 crore (310 million) unorganised workers to various social security schemes and
welfare services, creating one of the world’s largest databases of its kind and ensuring that benefits reach the most vulnerable segments of the workforce.
The ISSA Award 2025 stands as a powerful endorsement of India’s commitment to building an inclusive, equitable, and technology-driven social protection
ecosystem. It underscores a national mission to ensure that every worker, whether in the organised or unorganised sector, is safeguarded and empowered.
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