India Launches Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise

On 19th March 2025, the Ministry of Labour & Employment initiated India’s Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise in collaboration with State Governments and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to accurately assess social protection coverage.

Key Points

Phase 1 Implementation: 10 states—Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Gujarat—selected for data consolidation.
Expanded Coverage: The exercise uses encrypted Aadhaar to integrate 34 major social protection schemes, processing over 200 crore records to identify unique beneficiaries.
Significant Growth: Social protection coverage doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024, with 65% of India's population receiving at least one benefit.
Underestimation Challenge: ILO’s assessment does not yet account for in-kind benefits like food security and housing, nor state-specific schemes, implying actual coverage is higher.
Global Recognition: India is in discussions with ILO to ensure a comprehensive evaluation, reinforcing its standing as a leader in social protection policies.
Welfare Optimization: The exercise aims to streamline welfare spending, enhance financial sustainability, and support India’s global trade and social security negotiations.