In a landmark achievement for the nation, India has been conferred with the prestigious International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025 for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Social Security’. This award is recognition of the substantial increase in social security coverage from 19 per cent to over 64 per cent in last decade.
The award was presented at the World Social Security Forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, received the award on behalf of the Government of India.
Following this achievement, India has also secured the highest representation in the ISSA General Assembly with 30 seats – the highest vote share for any country. India has become only the fifth nation to receive this triennial award since its inception in 2013, joining Brazil (2013), China (2016), Rwanda (2019) and Iceland (2022).
ILO recognizes any form of benefit that has a cash component, is continuous and is backed by law as a social security benefit. Under this framework, India’s expansion encompasses: 31 Central Government Schemes line Pension, Maternity Benefits etc, Family Support, Disability Support etc, according to a Press release.