India Expands Social Security Coverage to Protect Over One Billion People: Key Reforms Explained

October 31, 2026 2:34 PM

India Expands Social Security Coverage to Protect Over One Billion People: Key Reforms Explained

Three key takeaways India's social protection coverage has increased from 19% in 2015 to 68.4% in 2026, bringing more than one billion people under the social protection framework. The revision of the mandatory EPFO wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month is expected to bring over 51 lakh additional employees under its coverage. Digital reforms, pension schemes and welfare initiatives such as e-Shram and PM-SYM aim to strengthen social security fo...

PM-SYM: Govt’s pension scheme for unorganised workers ensuring social security

March 4, 2025 7:48 PM

PM-SYM: Govt’s pension scheme for unorganised workers ensuring social security

The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) is a pension scheme launched by the Government of India to provide financial security to workers in the unorganised sector. Recognizing their immense contribution to nearly 50% of the country’s GDP, this voluntary and contributory scheme guarantees a minimum monthly pension of ₹3,000 after the age of 60 to workers earning up to ₹15,000 per month. Unorganised workers form the backbone of India’s economy, including home-based workers, street...