Indias Social Security Coverage Soars to 68.4%, Reaching Over One Billion People
Indias social security coverage has surged from 19% in 2015 to 68.4% in 2026, benefiting over a billion citizens.
New Delhi, October 31 (Daily Kiran) : India has made significant strides in expanding social security coverage over the past few years. According to a government fact sheet released on October 31, 2026, the country’s social security coverage has increased from 19% in 2015 to 68.4% in 2026, now encompassing over one billion individuals.
The fact sheet, published on Saturday, highlighted a substantial rise in the number of members contributing to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Membership grew from 34.9 million in 2014-15 to approximately 79.8 million by September 16, 2026, an increase of nearly 44.9 million members.
As of September 2026, around 768,000 institutions are contributing to the EPFO, providing a strong institutional foundation for extending social security to eligible workers.
In addition to membership growth, pension assistance has also seen a rise. The EPFO provided pensions to 5.1 million beneficiaries in 2014-15, which has increased to about 8.2 million by September 2026, reflecting an increase of over 3.1 million pensioners.
The range of social security benefits has expanded significantly. During 2014-15, approximately 13 million claims were settled. In the last year, by October 2026, the EPFO settled 64.2 million claims, showcasing the growing scale of services provided to its members.
The mandatory salary threshold for EPFO coverage was last raised from ₹6,500 to ₹15,000 per month in September 2014. It has now been approved to increase to ₹25,000 per month as of September 2026. This amendment is expected to extend mandatory coverage to over 5.1 million additional employees, reflecting changes in salary levels and the expansion of formal employment.
The EPFO has consolidated 13 provisions related to partial withdrawals into three categories: essential needs, housing needs, and special circumstances. These essential needs include expenses related to illness, education, and marriage, making access to provident fund savings easier. The EPFO now allows ten withdrawals for education and five for marriage.
Moreover, the EPFO has raised the auto-settlement limit for eligible advance claims to ₹500,000, enabling faster withdrawals without manual intervention.
Additionally, the Prime Minister‘s Social Assistance Scheme provides social support to the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, and bereaved families. This scheme has been revised in October 2026 from the existing National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and will continue from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
