<h1>Unconditional Cash Transfers Rise 23-Fold in India, Focus on Women, Call for Better Data and Inclusion</h1> A recent report reveals that unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) in India have increased 23-fold over the past decade, reaching INR 2.8 lakh crore in 2024-25, constituting 0.9% of GDP and 11% of social sector spending. The report analyzes over 70 schemes and highlights a shift toward monthly transfers, with significant focus on women from low-income households. Despite progress, exclusions persist among marginalized groups, and benefit adequacy varies widely, raising concerns about sufficiency. The report calls for consolidating schemes, improving data systems, enhancing impact evaluations, and establishing grievance mechanisms to ensure transparency and inclusion. It emphasizes that UCTs should complement, not replace, investments in public goods and advocates for a strategic shift from welfare as a safety net to a tool for long-term empowerment and economic participation. Collaborative efforts among government, civil society, and philanthropy are deemed essential to optimize the impact of cash-based welfare programs.