ISSA AWARD 2025

Current Context : India has been honoured with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 at the World Social Security Forum, recognizing the nation’s remarkable expansion of social security coverage from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, benefiting over 940 million citizens.

ABOUT ISSA AWARD 2025

• Awarded By: International Social Security Association (ISSA)
• Organized At: World Social Security Forum 2025
• Key implementing agencies: Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

HOW INDIA EXPANDED SOCIAL SECURITY COVERAGE

• Simplified Legislation: Social Security Code, 2020 — merged 9 laws to ensure protection for all workers.
• Digital and Financial Inclusion: Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Support for Informal Workers: e-Shram Portal, Atal Pension Yojana (APY), PM Vishwakarma Yojana.
• Health & Food Security: Ayushman Bharat, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
• Insurance & Pension: Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
• Women’s Empowerment: Lakhpati Didi, PM Ujjwala Yojana.

ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY

• Meaning: Protection ensuring access to healthcare and income security — recognized as a basic human right.
• Need in India:
  • Predominantly unorganized workforce.
  • Decline of joint family system.
  • Persistent poverty (5.25% below poverty line, World Bank 2022–23).