With support from the Rockefeller Foundation, we researched the portability of social protection benefits through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), focusing on the Public Distribution System (PDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and the Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW) Act. 

The study used a bottom-up approach to explore barriers faced by migrant workers in accessing benefits. As part of this effort, we engaged with local governments in Maharashtra, conducting a quantitative survey of low-income, informally employed migrant workers in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, to understand the barriers they face in accessing social benefits. We also collaborated closely with the local government leadership to study and support the development and deployment of a digital migration tracking system, a key component for enabling the portability of social benefits.

The research provided critical insights into the challenges of making social protection benefits portable, particularly for vulnerable migrant populations who face barriers in accessing essential welfare during migration. These findings were instrumental in advocating for more portable benefits within India’s fragmented social protection system. The study also explored the potential impact of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), particularly data exchanges, in improving the real-world delivery of public services. By examining data interoperability and cross-sectoral integration, the work addressed a critical gap in existing literature on DPI’s practical applications, shedding light on how these systems could streamline access to social benefits. Building on this work, we secured a strategic collaboration with The World Bank to deepen our research on urban social protection schemes for migrant workers in Mumbai. This project  acted as a catalyst, enabling Artha to expand its influence and expertise in the area of social protection reform.

The research provided critical insights into the challenges of making social protection benefits portable, particularly for vulnerable migrant populations who face barriers in accessing essential welfare during migration. These findings were instrumental in advocating for more portable benefits within India’s fragmented social protection system. The study also explored the potential impact of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), particularly data exchanges, in improving the real-world delivery of public services. By examining data interoperability and cross-sectoral integration, the work addressed a critical gap in existing literature on DPI’s practical applications, shedding light on how these systems could streamline access to social benefits. Building on this work, we secured a strategic collaboration with The World Bank to deepen our research on urban social protection schemes for migrant workers in Mumbai. This project  acted as a catalyst, enabling Artha to expand its influence and expertise in the area of social protection reform.