📰 What’s the News?
The World Bank’s State of Social Protection Report 2025 reveals that 2 billion people in low and middle-income countries (like India) lack proper social protection – such as healthcare, pensions, or unemployment support.
🔍 What is Social Protection?
It includes government programs that support people in poverty, old age, unemployment, or disability. It can be in cash (like pensions) or kind (like free food grains).
🌎 Global Picture – A Quick Glance
| Region | People without Social Protection |
|---|---|
| Low-Income Countries (LICs) | 98% lack protection |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 97% lack protection |
| Lower Middle-Income Countries (India included) | 30% uncovered |
| Globally (extreme poor) | 88% unprotected |
📌 At current pace, full coverage for the poor may take till 2045!
🇮🇳 India’s Position
| Indicator | Status |
|---|---|
| Coverage (ILO, 2024) | 48.8% |
| Govt. Claim (Ministry of Labour) | 65% |
| Multi-Dimensional Poverty | 24.8 crore exited poverty (2013–2023) |
🌟 Major Schemes Boosting Protection:
- Ayushman Bharat: Free health insurance up to ₹5 lakh/family
- PMGKAY: Free food to 80+ crore people
- eShram: Database of unorganised workers (30+ crore registered)
- Atal Pension Yojana: 7.25 crore enrolled for retirement support
🚧 Challenges in India’s Social Security System
| Area | Issue |
|---|---|
| 💰 Funds | India spends only 5% of GDP, global average is 13% |
| 📊 Data | No unified database; duplication of benefits |
| 📉 Underutilised Welfare Funds | ₹70,000 crore of workers’ welfare fund unused |
| 🌐 Tech Issues | Low awareness, poor digital access |
| 🚫 Global Standards | Key ILO conventions not ratified |
| 👴 Ageing Population | Support ratio is falling – more elderly, fewer earners |
💡 Way Ahead – Solutions
🇮🇳 For India:
- Build a National Social Registry integrating Aadhaar, eShram, state databases.
- Increase spending to at least 8-10% of GDP.
- Provide minimum guarantees for income, health, pensions.
- Use platforms like BHASHINI and CSC for scheme awareness in local languages.
🌍 Globally:
- Reform regressive subsidies (like fossil fuels) and redirect to the poor.
- Build shock-proof systems (climate, pandemic, conflict).
- Focus on universal protection aligned with SDG 1.3: “Social protection for all”.
📚 SEED Concepts to Know
- Multi-Dimensional Poverty: Poverty beyond income – includes education, health, standard of living.
- eShram: India’s national database for unorganised workers.
- Social Security Code 2020: Aims to merge various laws into one but still lacks clarity.
- Support Ratio: Number of working-age people per elderly person.
🧠 SEED Practice Questions
🧾 Prelims MCQs
- Which of the following is true about the Social Security Code, 2020?
a) It replaces the National Pension Scheme
b) It aims to consolidate multiple social security laws
c) It guarantees universal basic income
d) It is a law only for government employees
✅ Answer: b) - Which of the following programs is designed to register India’s unorganised workforce?
a) PMGKY
b) BHASHINI
c) eShram
d) NIRYAT
✅ Answer: c) - SDG 1.3 is related to:
a) Renewable energy
b) Gender equality
c) Climate change
d) Social protection for all
✅ Answer: d)
📄 Mains Questions
Q1. “Social protection in India is expanding but remains exclusionary.” Analyse the gaps and suggest reforms.
Q2. How can digital platforms like eShram and BHASHINI revolutionise social welfare delivery in India?
