Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana is a central government old-age pension scheme that provides monthly financial assistance to eligible senior citizens from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. The scheme aims to help older people with limited financial resources meet their basic living expenses. Under the existing pension provisions, eligible beneficiaries aged 60 to 79 years receive ₹200 per month as central assistance, while those aged 80 years or above receive ₹500 per month. State governments may provide additional assistance, so the total pension amount can vary from one state to another.

The scheme comes under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which has also been renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Launched on 15 August 1995, the programme provides social assistance to eligible people in need and supports the constitutional objective under Article 41 of providing public assistance in cases such as old age, sickness and disability. The Union Cabinet has approved the programme's continuation for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore.

On 14 October 2026, the Government of India renamed the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) as Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana. The government retained the existing provisions of the old-age pension scheme. Therefore, the earlier scheme's eligibility conditions, central pension assistance and implementation framework remain the reference for understanding the renamed scheme.

To qualify for the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, applicants must be at least 60 years old and belong to a household that meets the Government of India's Below Poverty Line criteria. Eligible senior citizens can apply through the designated pension department or local authority in their state or Union Territory. Depending on the state, applicants may submit their applications through an official online pension portal or a designated local office. They must provide the required documents to verify their age, identity and household eligibility.

The PM Old Age Pension Scheme covers eligible beneficiaries in both rural and urban areas. State and Union Territory authorities identify beneficiaries, verify applications and arrange pension payments. The pension is generally disbursed monthly and, wherever feasible, credited to the beneficiary's bank or post office account. Applicants should check their state's official pension portal or contact the designated pension authority for the latest application procedure, document requirements and verification rules. Eligible senior citizens may also explore other support programmes, such as the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, which provides eligible senior citizens with assisted-living devices.

Scheme Benefits

The Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana provides monthly financial assistance to eligible senior citizens from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. The scheme continues the pension provisions of the former Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS).

• Monthly pension of ₹200 for beneficiaries aged 60 to 79 years, paid by the Central Government.
• Monthly pension of ₹500 for beneficiaries aged 80 years and above.
• The pension amount is upgraded automatically when a beneficiary turns 80, without any fresh application.
• Most State Governments add a top-up from their own funds, so the amount received is usually higher than the central share.
• The pension is credited directly to the beneficiary's bank or post office account under Direct Benefit Transfer.
• The pension is not restricted to one person per household, so every member of a Below Poverty Line family aged 60 or above can receive it.
• The pension continues for life, subject to annual verification of the beneficiary.
• The scheme is funded entirely by the Central Government, so the minimum level of assistance is the same across every State and Union Territory.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions to receive pension benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana.

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
• The applicant must be 60 years of age or above. This applies to both men and women.
• The applicant must belong to a household living Below the Poverty Line, as per the criteria prescribed by the Government of India.
• There is no upper age limit. The pension amount simply increases once the beneficiary turns 80.
• Eligible persons in both rural and urban areas can apply.
• There is no cut-off date for applying, and the identification of beneficiaries is a continuous process.
• An eligible person whose name does not appear in the BPL list should not be left out. As per the scheme guidelines, the person's eligibility is to be established separately and their name included in the select list.

Required Documents

Applicants should keep the following documents and details ready when applying for the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana. The exact requirements may vary by state or Union Territory, so applicants should confirm the final list with their local pension authority.

• Duly filled and signed application form, along with a recent photograph.
• Age proof, such as a birth certificate or a school certificate.
• Aadhaar Card.
• Ration Card.
• Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
• Below Poverty Line details, including the survey year, location, family identification number and member identification number.
• Bank or post office account details of the applicant.
• Signature or thumb impression of the applicant on the application form.

Steps to Apply

Eligible senior citizens can apply for Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana online through the UMANG App or Portal, or offline through their Gram Panchayat or Municipality. Both routes are valid, and the offline route remains the one set out in the scheme guidelines.

Online Through the UMANG App or Portal

1. Visit the UMANG Portal or download and open the UMANG App on your mobile phone.
2. Register or log in using your mobile number and the OTP sent to it.
3. Go to the services section after logging in.
4. Search for "NSAP" and select the National Social Assistance Programme service.
5. Click on "Apply Online" to begin the application.
6. Select the Old Age Pension scheme from the list of pension schemes shown.
7. Fill in all the required details carefully and check that the information is correct.
8. Submit the application. It will then be registered for verification and further processing.

Please note: the UMANG service is still listed under the earlier name, National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), and the pension option on the form still reads "Old Age Pension". This is because the renaming approved by the Cabinet has not yet been reflected on the application portals. Applicants should continue to search for "NSAP" and select "Old Age Pension" for now. Once the portals are updated, the same service is expected to appear under the new name, Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, with the old age pension option shown as Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana. Applicants should look for either name while applying, as both refer to the same scheme and the same benefit.

Offline Through the Gram Panchayat or Municipality

1. Collect the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Scheme application form free of cost from the Gram Panchayat, Ward or Municipal office.
2. The form can also be downloaded from the concerned State's website.
3. Fill in the form and attach the required documents.
4. Submit the completed form at the Gram Panchayat in rural areas, or at the Ward or Municipal office in urban areas.
5. A Verification Officer or Verification Team checks the application against the eligibility conditions and records a recommendation.
6. The list of applicants, along with these recommendations, is placed before the Gram Sabha, Ward Sabha or Area Sabha, and then before the Gram Panchayat or Municipality.
7. The designated Sanctioning Authority at the Block or Municipality level issues a Sanction Order under seal, with a copy sent to the Gram Panchayat or Municipality.
8. The beneficiary is issued a Pension Passbook recording the sanction order, their particulars and the disbursement details.

Applicants do not always have to come forward themselves. The guidelines place the central role in identifying new beneficiaries on the Gram Panchayat and the Municipality, which are expected to work from the BPL list and reach out to households directly. Several States also run their own pension portals and common service centres through which applications can be filed.

Relevant Links

• Official Website of the National Social Assistance Programme
• Track Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Scheme Application Status
• Official Website of UMANG
• Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Scheme (Previous Old Age Pension Guidelines)
• Cabinet Press Release on the Renaming of the Scheme
• Official Website of the Ministry of Rural Development
• Download UMANG Mobile App (Android)
• Download UMANG Mobile App (iOS)

Contact Information

• NSAP Contact Details
• National Social Assistance Programme Email: [email protected]