India plans to broaden social security coverage beyond 101 crore people within five years

Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced at the Global Industrial Relations Summit hosted by FICCI that India will expand its social security coverage beyond the current 101 crore beneficiaries over the next five years. He noted that China now covers about 107 crore people, while India presently provides benefits to roughly 68.8% of its population.

The expansion is part of broader labour‑law reforms, with the government aiming to update policies to match the changing employment landscape driven by artificial intelligence, digital technologies and platform‑based work. Mandaviya stressed the need for collaboration among government, industry, trade unions and workers, and highlighted the role of self‑employment, citing women’s contributions in Gujarat’s dairy cooperatives.

The minister said the initiative will link employment generation with economic development while ensuring workers receive pensions, accident insurance, or healthcare under internationally accepted norms.