Lok Sabha Question No. 1968 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Coverage of Social Protection Schemes
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1968

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## COVERAGE OF SOCIAL PROTECTION SCHEMES

1968.  SHRI  BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a)      the manner in which the Government looks at the Report that 64.3 per cent of  population is covered under social protection schemes as compared to 22 per cent during the year 2016;
- (b)          whether  it  is  also  true  that    proportion  of  men,  women  and children  of  all  ages  living  in  poverty  in  all  dimensions  has declined from 24.8 per cent to 14.9 per cent; and
- (c)       whether the Government envisages that poverty can be removed at this pace by 2030 as mandated by SDGs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) According to the latest data from the International Organization's (ILO) ILOSTAT database, India's social
- Labour security

coverage has increased from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025.   India's expansion in social protection coverage has been enabled by a strong foundation  of  digital  and  financial  inclusion.  Bank  account  coverage under Jan Dhan, combined with Aadhaar-enabled identification and the Direct  Benefit  Transfer  system,  has  enabled  benefits  to  reach  the intended recipients swiftly and transparently.  Complementing this, a wide  array  of  social  protection  programmes  include  Pradhan  Mantri Shram  Yogi  Maan  Dhan,  PM-  POSHAN,  Janani  Suraksha  Yojana, Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Saman  Nidhi  Yojana,  Pradhan  Mantri  Matru Vandana  Yojana,  Pradhan  Mantri  Vaya  Vandana  Yojana,  etc.  In addition,  Health  protection  through  Ayushman  Bharat,  supported  by the Ayushman  Bharat Digital Mission, has extended accessible healthcare.

(b)  &  (c)  As  per  the  National  Multidimensional  Poverty  Index:  A Progress  Review  2023  released  by  NITI  Aayog,  the  proportion  of population in multidimensional poverty declined from 24.85 per cent in 2015-16 to 14.96 per cent in 2019-21, indicating that about 13.5 crore people  have  escaped  poverty  during  the  period.  Further,  as  per  the discussion  paper  'Multidimensional  Poverty  in  India  since  2005-06' published by NITI Aayog, multidimensional poverty in India is estimated to have declined from 29.17 per cent in 2013-14 to 11.28 per cent  in  2022-23,  indicating  that  about  24.82  crore  people  have escaped poverty during this period. These results highlight that India is  on  track  in  achieving  SDG  target  1.2  of  halving  multidimensional poverty  by  2030.  The  substantial  progress  in  all  indicators  of  the National MPI which intersect across multiple SDGs demonstrates the concerted efforts made to achieve overall progress. This is attributable to a multi-faceted strategy focused on empowerment and inclusive growth.

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