• Article 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that ‘Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality’
• According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), social protection is defined as a “set of policies and programmes designed to reduce and prevent poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion throughout the life cycle”.
• Social protection as a whole comprises nine main areas which include child and family benefits, maternity protection, unemployment support, employment injury benefits, sickness benefits, health protection, old-age benefits, invalidity / disability benefits, and survivors’ benefits. 

Need for Universal Social Protection

• 71% of the world’s population is not adequately protected, with over 750 million people living in abject poverty and utter insecurity. 
• Only about 29% of the world’s working population have effective access to comprehensive social protection. 
• World Social Protection Report 2024-26 of ILO points out that globally, most children (76.1 per cent) still have no effective social protection coverage, and a substantial gender gap persists.

Significance of Social Security

• High return on investment: The World Bank notes that for every dollar transferred to poor families, there is an estimated multiplier effect of $2.49 in the local economy. 
• Poverty Reduction: Social protection systems have resulted in sustained social and economic development of individuals. 
• Economic growth: Social security helps in raising incomes which in turn increases consumption, savings and investment at the household level, and raises domestic demand at the macro level.
• Promotes human development: Cash transfers in social security schemes facilitate access to nutrition and education, thus resulting in better health outcomes, higher school enrolment rates, reduced school drop-out rates, and a decline in child labour. 
• Increases employability: Help provided under various schemes increases productivity and employability by enhancing human capital and productive assets.
• social protection
• Social cohesion and participation: Social security ensures greater social cohesion and participation. It promotes social inclusion and dignity of vulnerable populations.
• Provides stability: Social security schemes protect individuals and families against the losses due to shocks, whether they be pandemics, natural disasters, or economic downturns.

Social Security in India

Social security is both a concept and a system, aimed at providing protection for individuals in need especially during circumstances that are often beyond an individual’s control.

• Education: 
  • The Indian Constitution recognizes the right to education as a fundamental right under article 21A. The Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009 provides free and compulsory education to children between the ages of 6 and 14. 
  • The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Samagra Shiksha scheme have been aligned with the recommendations of NEP 2020 to ensure that all children have access to quality education with an equitable and inclusive classroom environment. 
  • Under the PM Poshan Scheme free lunch is provided to every child in government and government-aided schools to boost enrolment, reduce dropouts while also improving nutrition and health outcomes. 

• Social Security with Right to Food: 
  • Human rights such as the right to food and social security are interrelated. Social protection schemes can play a key role in gradual realization of the right to adequate food for all. 
  • The National Food Security Act passed in 2013 made nutritional security a right. It entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains through the Targeted Public Distribution System.
  • Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: It was launched by the Indian Government as a response to COVID 19 pandemic to provide financial assistance to economically weaker sections of the society affected by the pandemic.
  • Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): It is aimed at ensuring food security for the most vulnerable 8.92 crore people of the society.
  • Fortified rice: It has been started to provide essential vitamins and minerals to improve the nutritional security of the people.
• • Health Insurance Cover: 
    • Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: It has become the largest health assurance scheme in the world and offers comprehensive secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually. 
    • The Central Government has approved a major expansion of the AB PM-JAY in 2024 and now all senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive health coverage, regardless of their income. 
  • Social Security with Right to Work: 
    • Right to work and employment and labour welfare are also important components of social security. 
    • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act: It is an important labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the ‘right to work’. It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. 

• Senior Citizens Vital Component of Social Security:

• According to the Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections (July 2020), India’s elderly population is expected to reach 193.4 million by 2031. 

• Pensions: Senior citizens who have served in the Central and State Governments and Public Sector Undertakings are well protected with their entitled pensionary benefits after retirement. 

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana: 

• Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan: It is a voluntary contributory scheme with matching contribution by Government of India for old age pension.

• Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana: It is being run by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, includes components to provide financial security, healthcare, nutrition, shelter, welfare etc. for senior citizens. 

• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana: Under this scheme assisted living devices are distributed free of cost, in camp mode, to senior citizens belonging to the families living below the poverty line. 

• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme: Under this scheme monthly pension at the rate of Rs.200/- per month per beneficiary is paid to elderly persons in the age group of 60-79 years belonging to Below Poverty Line households. 

• Senior Citizens’ Saving Scheme: It is a retirement benefit program which earns the individual higher interest rates on the earnings. 

• Social Protection of Workers in Unorganized Sector: 

• The Economic Survey 2023-24 estimates India’s workforce at nearly 565 million, with over 45 percent engaged in agriculture, 11.4 percent in manufacturing, 28.9 percent in services, and 13.0 percent in construction. 

• As of July 31, 2024, the number of unorganized workers registered on the eShram portal was over 29.85 crore. 

• • Unorganised Workers Social Security Act (UWSS), 2008: It is being implemented to provide social security to unorganized workers by formulating suitable welfare schemes on the matters relating to: (i) life and disability cover; (ii) health and maternity benefits; (iii) old age protection. 
  • Life and disability cover is available under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMIJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) based on contributions made by subscribers. 
  • Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan: It provides a monthly pension of Rs 3000/- after attaining the age of 60 years.

Way Forward

• Work on effective mechanisms of social protection is a continuous process for any country. These initiatives must be gradual, cumulative and must evolve with changing demographic and other influencing factors.
• Economies fare better when there are efficient social protection schemes, because they help improve worker productivity and promote balanced and sustainable growth. 

Conclusion

• Social security and welfare are integral to India’s journey toward a more equitable society. By addressing the existing challenges and adopting a holistic approach, India can create a resilient safety net that supports its most vulnerable populations, fostering social stability and inclusive growth.