The aim of the Old Age Pension Scheme is to assist the elderly to fulfill their basic needs and to enhance their quality of life. Below is the summary of the important information regarding this scheme in a tabular form:
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) |
| Start Date | August 15, 1995 (renamed in November 2007) |
| Administration | Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India |
| Beneficiaries | Senior citizens living below the poverty line (BPL) |
| Minimum Age | 60 years |
| Maximum Age | No upper limit |
| Pension Amount (60-79 years) | ₹200 per month (central share) |
| Pension Amount (80+ years) | ₹500 per month (central share) |
| State Contribution | Many states add an additional amount to the central share |
| Payment Mode | DBT (Directly into bank account) |
| Type of Scheme | Non-contributory pension scheme |
| Application Mode | Offline in most states, online in some |
| Coverage | All states and union territories |
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant should fulfill the following conditions to avail the benefits of the Old Age Pension Scheme:
S.No. Eligibility Conditions Mandatory Conditions
1 Age Limit The applicant must be 60 years of age or older.
2 Residence Applicant must be a permanent resident of India
3 Income Limit Applicant’s name should be in Below Poverty Line (BPL) list
4 Bank Account Applicant should have an active bank account linked to Aadhaar 5 Other Pension Applicant should not be getting any other government pension
6 DocumentsApplicant should have age proof, BPL certificate and recommendation from Gram Panchayat
List of documents needed
Dossiers to be submitted during pension application:
Mandatory/Optional Document Note
Aadhaar Card Compulsory For identification & DBT linking
Certificate of Age Proof :Necessary Educational documents or birth certificate
BPL Ration Card Mandatory For residence and proof of below the poverty line
Bank Passbook Compulsory With IFSC code and Account details.
Caste Certificate (Optional)For SC/ST/OBC (for priority)
Required Passport Size PhotoTo be attached to the application form
Mobile Number Required For OTP and notifications
How to Know Beneficiary List and Payment Status?
To check the payment status and to see your name in the pension list, follow the simple procedure given below:
Step Action Description
1 Official Portal LaunchGo to your state’s social welfare portal (e.g. pensionportal.up.gov.in)
2 Pick SchemeClick on the link “Old Age Pension” 3 Select Beneficiary List OptionClick on Beneficiary List
4 Choose Your District, Block and VillageSelect the correct options from the dropdowns
5. Open a list of all the beneficiaries from your area (PDF or HTML) View List 6. Check Payment StatusClick on “Payment Status” link on portal
7 Enter Application or Aadhar Number Enter Your 12 digit Aadhar or pension number
8 Validate with OTP Enter the OTP that was sent to your registered mobile number
9See StatusThe status will be shown on the screen – “Approved”, “Pending”, “Rejected” or “Payment Released”
Other Methods: You can also check your status through the mobile app of the pension portal (such as the UMANG app) or by sending an SMS with the words “PENSION STATUS” to your registered mobile number.
Pension Amount as per State:
The amount of pension can vary from state to state. The central government contributes ₹ 200 to ₹ 500 per month and the state governments add an additional amount on their behalf:
State Central ContributionState Contribution Total Monthly Pension
Uttar Pradesh 200 800 1,000
Maharashtra 200 400 600
Haryana ₹200 ₹1,600 ₹1,800 (₹3,200 in 2025)
Puducherry ₹200 ₹2,800 ₹3,000 (for age group 60-79 years)
Uttarakhand ₹200 ₹1,300 ₹1,500
Delhi 2,300 2,500 200
Himachal Pradesh ₹200 ₹150 (estimated) ₹350
Madhya Pradesh ₹200 ₹400 (estimated) ₹600
Application Procedure
There are two primary methods to apply for the Old Age Pension Scheme:
Application Process Offline
Go to your nearest Gram Panchayat Office, BDO Office or Social Welfare Department Office.
Here you can get the pension application form.
Fill out all the requested information correctly.
Self attested copies of all the documents as required attach.
Submit the filled form to the concerned officer and obtain a receipt for submission.
How to Apply Online
Visit the social welfare portal of your state (ssp.uk.gov.in).
Click on the link “Apply Online for Pension”.
Register with your email id and mobile number.
Fill all personal , age and income related details.
Please send us scanned copies of all the documents we need.
After filling the application, submit it and take a print out of the receipt for further reference.
FAQ (Frequent Asked Questions)
Question 1: What is the minimum age of an old age pension?
Answer: The minimum age for pension under this scheme is 60 years. This scheme is not for persons below the age of 60 years.
Question 2. Does the pension of people over 80 years of age increase?
Answer: Yes, Central government provides pension of ₹200 per month for persons aged between 60-79 years and ₹500 per month for persons aged 80 years & above. Many states add extra money to this.
Question 3: How to check pension status online?
Answer: You can check your status on the official pension portal of your state’s Social Welfare Department by clicking on “Beneficiary List” or “Payment Status”. You need your Aadhaar number or pension number for this.
Q4: Now, will the Aadhaar card be treated as age proof?
According to new rules in some states including Uttar Pradesh, Aadhaar Card is not being accepted as age proof. Now applicants have to submit educational documents or copy of family register.
Question 5: Is it possible for two family members to apply for the pension?
Yes, both husband and wife, if they are of the age of 60 years and above and come under BPL, can apply separately and both will get the benefit of pension.
Question 6: What is the mode of the pension payment?
Answer: All pension payments are directly credited to bank account of beneficiary through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). So, Aadhaar has to be linked to your bank account.
Question 7: What do you have to do to keep the pension going?
The pension is valid till the time a ‘Life Certificate’ is submitted every year in the month of November at a bank or CSC center, so that the government knows that the beneficiary is alive.
Conclusion
The Old Age Pension Scheme is a major social security program of the Government of India for providing financial help to the aged. Currently about 3.09 crore people are covered under this scheme across the country while about 5.86 crore additional beneficiaries are getting assistance under State pension schemes. If you qualify for this scheme, apply today and enable your elders to become self-reliant. Regularly check your state’s Social Welfare Department portal for updated information.