India's Unprecedented Leap in Employment and Social Protection: A Decade of Transformation

India has made significant strides in formal sector job creation and social protection under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Over seven years, 7.5 crore formal jobs were created, supported by a $12.8 billion employment-linked scheme. Social protection coverage surged from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, benefiting over 94 crore people. Recognized by the ILO, this transformation highlights India's robust digital infrastructure, global labor mobility efforts, and inclusive growth initiatives, positioning it as a leader in welfare and employment reforms.

India has achieved remarkable progress in formal sector job creation and social protection coverage under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the Plenary Session of the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the nation's achievements in building a robust employment ecosystem and expanding social protection benefits.

Formal Sector Job Creation: A Seven-Year Milestone

Over the past seven years, India has generated more than 7.5 crore jobs in the formal sector, a testament to the country's focus on formalising employment opportunities. Mandaviya attributed this success to various employment-linked initiatives, including a $12.8 billion incentive scheme aimed at fostering further growth in formal employment.

"Our employment-linked incentive scheme will promote formal employment further," the Minister stated, emphasizing that these efforts are part of a larger strategy to create a vibrant education-to-employment ecosystem. This initiative brings together universities, industry stakeholders, and skill development centers to align opportunities with real-world market demands.

The Backbone of Progress: Digital Public Infrastructure

India's advancements are underpinned by a strong digital public infrastructure, which has revolutionized employment services. Platforms like the National Career Service (NCS) play a pivotal role in connecting job seekers with opportunities globally. Mandaviya described NCS as a "one-stop solution" for youth and the working population, facilitating international labor mobility and aggregating global job demands.

Social Protection Coverage: A Record-Breaking Expansion

India has also achieved a historic milestone in social protection coverage, with 64.3% of the population—over 94 crore people—now benefiting from at least one social protection scheme. This represents a dramatic rise from just 19% in 2015, marking one of the fastest expansions in social protection coverage globally.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) officially recognized this achievement on its dashboard, placing India second in the world in terms of the number of beneficiaries. The ILO's Director General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, commended India's focus on welfare policies for the poor and labor classes, describing the growth as unparalleled.

"This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the relentless efforts of the Government in building an inclusive and rights-based social protection ecosystem," Mandaviya remarked, noting that this progress aligns with the government’s philosophy of “Antyodaya”, or empowering the last mile.

Collaboration with the ILO: Strengthening Global Engagements

India's collaboration with the ILO has played a key role in this transformation. A Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise, conducted in partnership with the ILO, has helped verify and consolidate beneficiary data across central and women-centric schemes in eight states. With Phase II underway, India's social protection coverage is expected to exceed the 100-crore mark in the near future.

India has also become the first nation to update its 2025 social protection coverage data in the ILOSTAT database, showcasing its commitment to digital governance and transparency. This data will bolster India’s ability to finalize Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with developed nations, ensuring portability of benefits for Indian professionals abroad and enhancing global labor mobility negotiations.

A Decade of Transformation

The Indian delegation, led by Mandaviya, also engaged in bilateral discussions with the ILO’s leadership, highlighting pro-poor and labor welfare initiatives undertaken over the past decade. These initiatives reflect the government’s unwavering commitment to leaving no one behind and empowering marginalized communities.

India’s achievements in employment and social protection mark a new chapter in its developmental journey, solidifying its position as a global leader in inclusive growth and welfare policies. As the nation moves forward, these efforts are set to strengthen its global partnerships and further empower its workforce.

India’s story is not just one of progress, but of transformation—a decade-long journey that has reshaped the lives of millions while setting a benchmark for other nations to follow.