ILO programme strengthens actuarial capacity and governance for sustainable social security in India

ILO programme strengthens actuarial capacity and governance for sustainable social security in India

Specialized training equips Indian officials to apply actuarial evidence to financial governance, strategic decision-making and the long-term sustainability of social security schemes.

13 August 2026

NEW DELHI, (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO), has delivered a specialized capacity-building programme to strengthen actuarial practices and governance at India's Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

A total of 46 EPFO officials participated in the programme, Actuarial Practices in Social Security: Strengthening Actuarial Governance at EPFO India. Delivered through a blended learning approach from 25 May to 12 August 2026, the programme combined online learning with a three-day face-to-face component in New Delhi. A dedicated executive course for 25 senior officials was subsequently held on 13 August 2026.

Supported under the ILO's Promoting and Building Social Protection in South Asia (SPSA) projectPromoting and Building Social Protection in South Asia (SPSA) project, the initiative aimed to strengthen the integration of actuarial analysis into EPFO's governance and strategic decision-making. The programme forms part of broader ILO efforts to support sustainable, inclusive and gender-responsive social protection systems through stronger institutional capacity and evidence-based policy development.

EPFO administers retirement savings, pension and insurance schemes for millions of workers in India's organized sector. Given the scale and complexity of its operations, sound actuarial practices are essential for assessing the long-term sustainability of social security schemes and informing decisions on financing, investment, risk management and policy reform.

During the programme, participants explored actuarial valuation methodologies, sustainability indicators, demographic and economic projections, scheme-specific modelling, financing gaps and scenario analysis. The training also covered investment governance, asset-liability management, risk management and the use of actuarial evidence to support policy and reform decisions.

The face-to-face sessions provided participants with opportunities to apply their learning through practical actuarial exercises, interpretation of results, reform simulations and policy dialogue tailored to the EPFO context. The executive course further focused on the role of senior leadership in strengthening financial governance, institutional oversight and long-term sustainability of social security schemes.

"Strong actuarial capacity is essential for ensuring that social security institutions can make informed decisions and plan for the long-term sustainability of their schemes. Through this collaboration with EPFO and ITCILO, we hope that the programme will contribute to strengthening the use of actuarial evidence in institutional governance and strategic decision-making," said Oktavianto Pasaribu, ILO Deputy Director and Senior Advisor for Resource Mobilization in Asia and the Pacific.

With support from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of the Government of Japan, the programme, reflects the continued collaboration between EPFO, the ILO and ITCILO to strengthen institutional capacity and promote the effective use of actuarial evidence in social security governance. By investing in both technical expertise and executive-level understanding, the initiative aims to support more informed decision-making and contribute to the long-term sustainability and resilience of India's social security system.