Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Every day, crores of unorganised workers in India wake up with no guarantee of a pension, no provident fund, and no retirement safety net. To change this reality, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM) on 15 February 2019, a voluntary, contributory pension scheme designed specifically for workers earning up to Rs 15,000 per month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched this scheme in Shri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, to bring millions of informal workers under a formal social security umbrella.

Workers such as street vendors, rickshaw pullers, construction labourers, domestic workers, agricultural labourers, beedi workers, and other daily wage earners spend their entire working lives contributing to the economy, yet most of them retire with nothing. PM-SYM directly addresses this gap. Under this scheme, eligible workers between 18 and 40 years of age contribute a small fixed monthly amount, as low as Rs 55 per month, until they turn 60. What makes this scheme truly unique is that the Government of India deposits an equal matching contribution into the subscriber's account every month, effectively doubling the savings without any extra burden on the worker.

Upon reaching 60 years of age, every enrolled subscriber receives a guaranteed monthly pension of Rs 3,000, providing financial independence and dignity in old age. LIC of India acts as the Pension Fund Manager and handles all pension disbursements under this scheme. The scheme also protects the subscriber's family. In case of the subscriber's death after pension commencement, the spouse receives 50% of the monthly pension as a family pension.

Enrollment under PM-SYM is simple and accessible. Workers can register at any nearby Common Service Centre (CSC) with the help of a Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE), or they can self-enrol directly through the official portal at maandhan.in. By combining low contribution requirements, government co-contribution, guaranteed pension, and family protection, PM-SYM stands as one of the most impactful social security initiatives for India's vast informal workforce.

Scheme Benefits

• Assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 after attaining 60 years of age.
• The government deposits an equal matching contribution every month into the subscriber's account.
• In case of the subscriber's death after pension starts, the spouse receives 50% of the monthly pension as family pension.
• Low monthly contribution starting from just Rs 55 (for age 18) up to Rs 200 (for age 40).
• The scheme is fully portable across India, valid regardless of a change in location or occupation.
• On exit after 10 years, the subscriber receives their own contribution plus the government's share, along with the actual interest earned or savings bank rate, whichever is higher.
• On exit before 10 years, the subscriber gets back their own contribution with the savings bank interest rate.

Beneficiary Contribution Details

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must work in the unorganised sector.
• Age must be between 18 and 40 years at the time of enrollment.
• Monthly income must not exceed Rs 15,000.
• Must not be a member of EPFO, ESIC, or NPS (National Pension System).
• Must not be an income taxpayer.
• Must hold a valid Aadhaar number and an active savings bank or Jan Dhan account.

List of Eligible Beneficiaries (Target Groups)

PM-SYM targets workers in the unorganised sector who have no access to formal retirement benefits. The following categories of workers qualify for enrollment under the scheme:

• Street vendors and hawkers
• Rickshaw pullers and auto drivers
• Construction workers and labourers
• Domestic workers (maids, cooks, helpers)
• Agricultural labourers and small farmers
• Beedi workers and handloom workers
• Leather workers
• Mid-day meal workers
• Head loaders and brick kiln workers
• Carpenters, plumbers, and electricians in the informal sector
• Daily wage workers in shops, factories, or small establishments
• Waste pickers and sanitation workers (informal sector)

Besides belonging to the above categories, the applicant must be aged between 18 and 40 years, earn up to Rs 15,000 per month, and must not hold membership under EPFO, ESIC, or NPS, nor pay income tax. This ensures the scheme's benefits reach India's most economically vulnerable workers.

Required Documents

• Aadhaar Card
• Savings Bank Account / Jan Dhan Account details (Account Number & IFSC Code)
• Active Mobile Number (linked to Aadhaar preferred)
• Initial contribution amount in cash (for CSC enrollment)

Steps to Apply

The Government of India has kept the PM-SYM enrollment process simple and accessible for every unorganised worker across the country. Two modes of registration are available: assisted enrollment through a Common Service Centre (CSC) and self-enrollment through the official PM-SYM portal at maandhan.in. Before starting registration, make sure you carry your Aadhaar card, bank account details, and your first monthly contribution amount. Follow the steps below based on the mode you choose.

Enrollment Through Common Service Centre (CSC)

• Locate the Nearest CSC: Visit the CSC locator at findmycsc.nic.in/csc to find the closest Common Service Centre in your area.
• Visit the CSC with Documents: Carry your Aadhaar card, savings bank account or Jan Dhan account details, and your mobile number.
• Submit Aadhaar & Bank Details: The Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) at the CSC enters your Aadhaar number and bank account details into the system.
• Complete Aadhaar Authentication: Verify your identity through OTP-based or biometric Aadhaar authentication.
• System Calculates Contribution: Based on your age, the system automatically calculates your monthly contribution amount (between ₹55 and ₹200).
• Add Nominee Details: Provide the name and details of your nominee (spouse or family member) for family pension purposes.
• Pay First Monthly Contribution: Pay the first month's contribution in cash at the CSC counter.
• Enable Auto-Debit: Authorise auto-debit from your bank account so future monthly contributions get deducted automatically without any manual effort.
• Collect PM-SYM Pension Card: The VLE generates your Shram Yogi Pension Card. Download it or collect a printout as proof of enrollment.

Self-Enrollment via maandhan.in Portal

• Visit the Official Portal: For self-registration, you need to visit its official website, i.e. maandhan.in.
• Click on Self-Enrollment: Select the self-enrollment option on the homepage.
• Enter Mobile Number & Aadhaar: Provide your mobile number and Aadhaar number to begin the process.
• OTP Verification: Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number for authentication.
• Fill in Personal & Bank Details: Complete the registration form with your name, date of birth, bank account number, and IFSC code.
• Add Nominee Details: Enter your nominee's name and relationship for family pension eligibility.
• Auto-Calculate Contribution: The portal calculates your monthly contribution based on your entry age and displays it on screen.
• Pay First Contribution Online: Complete the first month's payment through net banking, UPI, or debit card.
• Download PM-SYM Card: Once registration completes, download your Shram Yogi Pension Card directly from the portal as proof of enrollment.
• Track Your Account: Log in to the PM-SYM portal anytime to check contribution status, update personal details, or download certificates.

Exit Provisions Under PM-SYM Yojana

PM-SYM gives subscribers well-defined and flexible exit options so that workers do not face financial loss if they choose to leave the scheme before reaching 60 years. The exit rules vary based on how long the subscriber stays enrolled and the circumstances of exit.

Types of Exit Conditions

• Exit Before 10 Years: The subscriber receives back only their own contribution, along with the savings bank interest rate. The government's matching contribution does not transfer in this case.
• Exit After 10 Years but Before 60 Years: The subscriber receives the total accumulated amount, their own contribution plus the government's matching share, along with actual interest earned or the savings bank interest rate, whichever is higher.
• Exit on Death of Subscriber (Before Age 60):
  • The spouse can continue the scheme by paying regular contributions going forward.
  • Alternatively, the spouse can exit and receive the accumulated contribution amount along with applicable interest.
• Exit on Permanent Disability: If the subscriber becomes permanently disabled and can no longer contribute, the spouse can either continue the scheme or exit and receive the accumulated funds with interest.
• After Attaining 60 Years: No exit is required. The subscriber starts receiving a guaranteed monthly pension of ₹3,000. After the subscriber's death, the spouse receives 50% of the pension as a family pension for the rest of their life.

These provisions make PM-SYM a secure and flexible scheme that protects subscribers and their families even under unexpected circumstances.

Lapsed Account Rules under PM-SYM

Subscribers must pay their monthly contributions on time to keep their PM-SYM account active. If a subscriber misses payments continuously for a certain period, the account becomes inactive or "lapsed." However, PM-SYM provides a straightforward process to revive such accounts so that subscribers do not permanently lose their pension benefits.

• If the subscriber fails to pay contributions for a continuous period, the PM-SYM account becomes inactive (lapsed).
• The subscriber can revive (reactivate) the account anytime by clearing pending dues.
• To revive the account, the subscriber must pay:
  • All missed contributions (arrears)
  • Applicable interest or penalty (if any) as prescribed by the scheme rules
• The subscriber can complete the revival process either by visiting the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or by logging in to the PM-SYM portal at maandhan.in.

Important Note: If the account remains lapsed and the subscriber does not revive it, they may permanently lose the assured pension benefit and the government's matching contribution.

Relevant Links

• PM-SYM Portal
• Pradhan Mantri Sharam Yogi Maandhan Yojana Online Registration
• PM-SYM Registration Flow Chart
• Pradhan Mantri Sharam Yogi Maandhan Yojana Details
• CSC Locator for PM-SYM Registration

Contact Information

• PM-SYM Helpdesk: 14434
• Ministry of Labour and Employment Helpline: 18002676888
• PM-SYM Email: shramyogi@nic.in
• Ministry of Labour and Employment Email Helpdesk: scpms@licindia.com