India Targets Wider Social‑Security Net, Aiming Beyond 101 Crore Beneficiaries in Five Years

New Delhi – Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Friday that the government will work to broaden the reach of its social‑security system beyond the 101 crore individuals currently covered. The plan, slated for the next five years, reflects an effort to tighten the safety net for workers, informal sector participants and vulnerable families across the country.

Mandaviya said the expansion will involve extending existing schemes and possibly introducing new mechanisms to ensure more citizens have access to benefits such as pensions, health coverage and unemployment assistance. While specific programs were not detailed, the ministry indicated that coordination with state governments and the use of digital platforms will be central to the rollout.

For the South‑Asian diaspora, the move signals a continued push by India to address inequality and provide a more robust welfare framework for its massive labor force. A stronger social‑security umbrella could also affect remittance patterns, as families may rely less on overseas earnings to cushion economic shocks. The announcement aligns with broader policy goals of inclusive growth and labour formalisation.

The initiative will be monitored closely as it unfolds, with periodic updates expected from the Ministry of Labour and Employment.