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Clear Cut Awards & Events Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Oct 06, 2025 12:45 IST
Written By: Janmojaya Barik
As a nation develops, numbers in the economy are important. But even more important is how common folk lead their lives — whether they enjoy food security, health insurance, pension and protection during distress. India’s recent acknowledgement at the International Social Security Association (ISSA) World Forum 2025 is a reminder that development is not merely about tall buildings and exports, but also about care and dignity for people.
What the Award Signifies
India was awarded the ISSA Award for Expansion of Social Security this year. The award acknowledges how India has spread social protection to tens of millions of individuals in the past decade. Coverage has increased from 19% in 2015 to more than 64% in 2025 based on official statistics. That translates to almost 940 million Indians having access to some kind of social security.
The ISSA is a well-regarded global organization that convenes experts and governments to enhance social protection systems. Winning this award is not applause alone. It is about demonstrating that India’s work is visible to the world and that its reforms are impacting lives.
A Decade of Steady Work
Such accolades do not happen overnight. In the past decade, India has widened pension, health insurance, and direct benefit transfer programs. Initiatives such as PM-KISAN, PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat), PM-SYM (Shram Yogi Maandhan), and the e-Shram portal have brought millions of workers, particularly from unorganized sectors, under safety nets that were previously lacking.
Technology has been the pillar. Aadhaar system, Jan Dhan bank accounts, and mobile platforms are why it has become possible to send benefits directly, cutting leakages and ensuring that only the right person gets help on time.
Why It Matters for People
These are not mere figures for many; these are life-transforming aid. A farmer getting a modest but steady income under PM-KISAN can purchase seeds without incurring huge loans. An e-Shram-registered street vendor knows she is now included in an organization that acknowledges her labor. A family living below the poverty line who is insured under Ayushman Bharat does not have to worry about running up enormous hospital bills.
These are daily guarantees. They don’t hit the headlines like stock exchanges, but they construct the quiet pillars of a safer society.
Photo Credit: Doordarshan
The Roadblocks en Route
Yet, as is the way, the road has been fraught with obstacles. India is a huge and varied nation. Despite 64% coverage, millions remain untouched. Migrant workers, tribal communities in far-flung regions, and certain informal workers encounter challenges in accessing schemes.
Awareness is another challenge. Many beneficiaries do not know the benefits they are entitled to, or how to claim them. Sometimes the problem is not the absence of policy, but the absence of information. Bridging this gap remains critical.
A Lesson in Partnerships
India at the ISSA forum also addressed the need to make global partnerships on labour mobility, social security, and employment stronger. This is necessary, as today workers tend to migrate within states or even nations to find employment. Their security has to accompany them.
By exporting digital models such as Aadhaar-linked transfers and learning from the world about pensions or migrant protection, India can be part of a worldwide discussion. It reminds us that social security is not charity, but a collective investment in human dignity.
Beyond Numbers: The Human Touch
Awards and numbers recognize, but the essence of the story is the individuals reached by these cons. A worker who gets insurance against accidents after all his years. An older woman in a rural village who now receives a pension into her account. A child from a poor family who can attend school because her family is supported.
These small stories add up to a larger picture of hope. They tell us that development is not only measured in GDP, but also in the smiles of those who feel less vulnerable.
Looking Ahead
It’s a moment of pride to win the ISSA award, but it’s also a responsibility. The challenge before us is to reach the last 36% of individuals who remain uncovered, to simplify systems, and to gain people’s trust in every nook and corner of the country.
India’s development demonstrates that with political will, technology, and patience, change can happen. The prize is not an end but rather a milestone in a journey that still needs to happen.
Conclusion
India’s win at the ISSA World Forum 2025 is not just a medal for policymakers. It is a soft reminder that social security is actually the true spine of development. Bridges and roads link locations, but social protection links people to a sense of safety and dignity.
While India basks in this success, the spotlight must not blur: continue to shore up the net so no one slips through. That will be success.
