West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The West Bengal Journalist Pension Scheme 2026 is a financial assistance scheme introduced by the Government of West Bengal to support retired journalists facing financial hardship. Under this scheme, eligible journalists can receive a monthly pension of ₹5,000, double the ₹2,500 monthly pension offered under the earlier scheme. The enhanced pension is effective from 1 September 2026, as specified in the government notification dated 5 October 2026, issued by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal. The scheme aims to provide greater financial security to senior journalists who have contributed to journalism in the state and no longer receive a regular salary.

The earlier West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists, 2018 continues to exist alongside the 2026 scheme. The government has not replaced or renamed the earlier scheme. Journalists already receiving the ₹2,500 monthly pension under the 2018 scheme will continue to receive it under their existing arrangements. They will not automatically receive the enhanced ₹5,000 pension. To receive the higher amount, existing pensioners must apply afresh under the 2026 scheme and satisfy its eligibility conditions, unless the government announces a separate transition process. The government announced the pension enhancement in the West Bengal Budget 2026-27 and subsequently issued the new scheme notification.

To qualify for the West Bengal Journalist Pension Scheme 2026, applicants must be Indian citizens who ordinarily reside in West Bengal and must have attained at least 60 years of age. Accredited journalists must have at least 10 years of journalistic experience in West Bengal and at least 10 years of government accreditation. Non-accredited journalists must demonstrate professional eminence and at least 15 years of experience in journalism. Applicants must have retired from regular journalistic employment, face financial hardship, and have a monthly income not exceeding ₹10,000. They must also meet the prescribed conditions relating to regular employment and other pension benefits.

Eligible journalists can apply for the West Bengal Journalist Pension Scheme by submitting the prescribed application form and supporting documents to the Director of Information, Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal. Required documents include age proof, PAN card, Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC), proof of journalistic experience or accreditation, an income certificate, bank account details, and the prescribed declaration. The department will scrutinise applications and place eligible cases before the State Level Screening Committee for consideration and recommendation. The 2026 notification states that applications may be submitted from 1 September 2026, but it does not specify a closing date.

Alongside the pension enhancement, the government has also announced separate welfare measures for journalists. These include health coverage under the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana and equal annual Durga Puja allowances for journalists in Kolkata and the districts. These benefits are separate from the Journalist Pension Scheme and have their own applicable provisions. Under the 2026 pension scheme, approved payments are transferred directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts through RTGS or NEFT. Beneficiaries must also follow the prescribed annual renewal requirements to continue receiving their pension.

Scheme Benefits

• Eligible retired journalists will receive a monthly pension of ₹5,000 under the West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists, 2026.
• The scheme covers eligible journalists, photojournalists, news correspondents, and camerapersons involved in news gathering or news production.
• The government transfers the monthly pension directly to the beneficiary's bank account through RTGS or NEFT.
• The scheme provides financial support to retired journalists facing financial hardship with a monthly income of up to ₹10,000.
• Beneficiaries can continue receiving the pension by submitting the required documents for annual renewal.
• Existing beneficiaries under the 2018 scheme will continue receiving benefits under the existing scheme unless the government decides otherwise regarding their migration or revision.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the eligibility conditions prescribed under the West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists, 2026, to receive a monthly pension of ₹5,000. The scheme supports eligible retired journalists who have contributed to journalism in West Bengal and face financial hardship.

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen with a valid Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) and ordinarily reside in West Bengal.
• The applicant must have attained at least 60 years of age on the date of application.
• The applicant must have worked as a journalist, photojournalist, news correspondent, or cameraperson engaged in news gathering or news production for at least 10 years in West Bengal before retirement.
• Accredited journalists must have held accreditation from the Government of West Bengal for at least 10 years in total, with or without breaks.
• Non-accredited journalists must provide relevant documents proving their professional eminence and must have completed at least 15 years in journalism.
• The applicant must have retired from regular employment or ceased regular professional engagement as a journalist, as applicable.
• The applicant must not be engaged in regular employment or receive a regular salary or monthly remuneration from any organisation.
• The applicant must not receive a pension from another source, except an Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) pension or a personal pension scheme funded by the applicant's own contributions.
• The applicant must be facing financial hardship, and their monthly income must not exceed ₹10,000.
• The applicant must not have been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude or serious professional misconduct, subject to the prescribed verification.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the prescribed application form along with documents that establish their age, journalistic experience, accreditation status, income, employment status, and bank account details. The following documents are required under the West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists application notice dated 24 August 2026.

• Proof of date of birth
• For accredited journalists: self-attested copy of the Press Accreditation Card, along with details/proof of the accreditation period (at least 10 years, with or without break)
• For non-accredited journalists: documents establishing at least 15 years of professional experience and eminence in the field of journalism
• Self-attested copy of PAN card
• Self-attested copy of EPIC
• Bank account details, with a cancelled cheque or passbook
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Prescribed Income Certificate from a Group-A Government Officer, in support of monthly income
• Declaration in Annexure-II A (for accredited journalists) or Annexure-II B (for non-accredited journalists)
• Any other document the Department may require

Important: Applicants must submit duly completed application forms with all required documents to the Director of Information, Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, Nabanna, Howrah. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Steps to Apply

Eligible retired journalists can apply for the West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists, 2026, by submitting the prescribed application form and supporting documents to the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal. Applicants must follow these steps to complete the application process.

• Download the West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists application form attached to the official notification.
• Fill in the application form with your personal details, date of birth, residential address, journalistic experience, accreditation details, retirement information, monthly income, and bank account details.
• Attach the required documents, including age proof, PAN card, EPIC, professional experience documents, accreditation proof, income certificate, bank details, and the prescribed declaration.
• Check that all details are correct and that you have attached the required supporting documents.
• Submit the completed application form and documents to the Director of Information, Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, Nabanna, Howrah.
• The Director of Information will scrutinise the application and place eligible applications before the State Level Screening Committee for consideration and recommendation.
• Wait for the competent authority to approve your application and enrol you under the scheme.

Note: Journalists already receiving a pension of ₹2,500 per month under the West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists, 2018, will not automatically receive the enhanced pension of ₹5,000. Existing beneficiaries must apply afresh under the West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists, 2026, and meet its eligibility conditions to receive the higher pension, unless the government announces a separate transition process.

Renewal Process

Beneficiaries enrolled under the West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists must follow the renewal requirements prescribed by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, to continue receiving their monthly pension. They must submit the required certificates and declarations for verification within the prescribed period.

• Submit the prescribed Journalist Pension Scheme life certificate form to confirm that the pension beneficiary is alive.
• Obtain an updated income certificate from a Group A Government Officer.
• Submit the prescribed non-employment certificate or declaration confirming that you do not receive a regular salary or monthly remuneration from any organisation.
• Submit the prescribed declaration regarding other pension benefits, where required.
• Provide any additional documents requested by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department for renewal and verification.
• Wait for the department to verify the submitted documents and confirm the continuation of pension payments.

Important Forms

• West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists Application Form
• West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists Declaration for Accredited Journalists
• West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists Declaration for Non-Accredited Journalists
• West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists Income Certificate
• West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists Life Certificate

Relevant Links

• West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists 2026 Application Notice
• WB Journalist Pension Scheme 2026 Guidelines
• West Bengal Pension Scheme for Journalists Notification (Old)
• Information & Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal

Contact Information

• Information & Cultural Affairs Department Contact Details