The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is a Central Government social security scheme implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). The scheme provides a monthly Central Government pension of ₹200 to eligible beneficiaries aged 60 to 79 years and ₹500 to beneficiaries aged 80 years and above. In addition to the Central Government’s contribution, many State Governments provide an extra pension amount from their own funds, due to which the total monthly pension varies from one State or Union Territory to another.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) |
| Implemented By | Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India |
| Launch Year | 1995 (as National Old Age Pension Scheme); renamed as IGNOAPS in 2007 |
| Parent Programme | National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) |
| Eligible Beneficiaries | Below Poverty Line (BPL) senior citizens aged 60 years and above |
| Central Pension (60–79 Years) | ₹200 per month |
| Central Pension (80 Years & Above) | ₹500 per month |
| Additional State Pension | Provided by many State Governments as per their respective rules |
| Mode of Application | Online through UMANG (where available) or offline through the concerned implementing authority |
| Mode of Payment | Bank Account or Post Office Account through the prescribed payment system |
| Official Portal | https://nsap.dord.gov.in/ |
Introduction of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): A Brief Insight
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is one of the flagship social security initiatives of the Government of India for elderly citizens living in Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. The Government originally launched this scheme as the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) on 15 August 1995 under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). In 2007, it was renamed as the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, and the eligibility criteria were further revised in 2011 to expand the scheme’s coverage.
The scheme aims to provide a basic level of financial security to elderly citizens who have little or no regular source of income. It also reflects the vision of Article 41 of the Constitution of India, which encourages the State to provide public assistance to citizens in cases of old age, unemployment, sickness, disability, and other deserving circumstances. By offering a monthly pension, the Government helps senior citizens meet their day-to-day expenses with greater dignity and financial independence.
The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, implements the scheme through the Department of Rural Development under the National Social Assistance Programme. The Central Government releases its share of financial assistance, while the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations are responsible for implementing the scheme and disbursing the pension to eligible beneficiaries.
Under IGNOAPS, eligible beneficiaries aged 60 to 79 years receive a monthly central pension of ₹200, while beneficiaries aged 80 years and above receive ₹500 per month as Central Government assistance. Many State Governments also provide an additional pension from their own funds. As a result, the total pension amount received by a beneficiary varies from one State or Union Territory to another and is credited directly into the beneficiary’s bank or Post Office account through the prescribed payment system.
To receive the benefits of this scheme, an applicant must have attained the age of 60 years and belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) household. Applicants are also required to satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the concerned implementing authority and submit the necessary supporting documents during the application process.
Eligible applicants can submit their applications through the UMANG Portal, the UMANG App (Android) or the UMANG App (iOS). Applicants who prefer the offline mode can also approach the Gram Panchayat, Block Development Office, Urban Local Body, or any other implementing authority designated by the respective State Government. Once the concerned authority completes the verification process and approves the application, the pension is released through the prescribed payment mechanism.
Besides the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, the National Social Assistance Programme also includes several other social security schemes. These include the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), and the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS). Each scheme supports a different category of eligible beneficiaries under the National Social Assistance Programme.
If you would like to explore more welfare initiatives launched by the Government of India, you can also read our detailed guides on other Central Government Schemes, where we regularly publish verified information based on official government sources.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) provides monthly financial assistance to eligible senior citizens so that they can meet their basic needs with greater financial security. The Central Government releases its share of the pension under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), while many State Governments provide an additional pension amount from their own funds. The concerned authority credits the pension directly to the beneficiary’s bank or Post Office account through the prescribed payment system.
- The Central Government provides a monthly pension of ₹200 to eligible beneficiaries aged 60 to 79 years.
- The Central Government provides a monthly pension of ₹500 to eligible beneficiaries aged 80 years and above.
- Many State Governments provide an additional pension amount over and above the Central Government’s contribution. The total pension received by a beneficiary therefore varies from one State or Union Territory to another.
- The Government credits the pension amount directly into the beneficiary’s bank account or Post Office savings account through the prescribed payment system, including Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), wherever applicable.
- The scheme provides regular financial assistance to help eligible senior citizens meet their day-to-day expenses and reduce their financial dependence during old age.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
Before applying under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), applicants should ensure that they fulfil the eligibility conditions prescribed under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). The Ministry of Rural Development provides financial assistance under this scheme to eligible senior citizens belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. Applicants who satisfy the following conditions can apply for benefits under the scheme.
- The applicant must be a citizen of India.
- The applicant must have attained 60 years of age or above on the date of application.
- The applicant must belong to a household living Below the Poverty Line (BPL), as identified under the criteria prescribed by the Central Government or the concerned State Government.
- The applicant must fulfil any additional eligibility conditions, if prescribed by the concerned State Government or Union Territory while implementing the scheme.
- The applicant must provide complete and correct information along with the prescribed documents during the application process so that the competent authority can verify eligibility.
Documents Required to be Attached
An applicant should keep the required documents ready before applying under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). The concerned authority uses these documents to verify the applicant’s age, identity, residence, Below Poverty Line (BPL) status, and bank account details before approving the pension. Applicants should submit the prescribed documents along with the application form and produce the original documents for verification whenever required.
- BPL Proof: A valid BPL card, ration card, or any other document showing inclusion in the official Below Poverty Line (BPL) list, as prescribed by the concerned State Government.
- Age Proof: A birth certificate, Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, school certificate, or any other government-issued document confirming that the applicant has completed 60 years of age.
- Residence Proof: An Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, domicile certificate, or any other valid document accepted by the concerned authority to establish residence in the State or Union Territory.
- Bank or Post Office Passbook: A copy of the applicant’s bank passbook or Post Office savings passbook. Wherever applicable, the account should be linked with Aadhaar Card so that the pension amount can be credited through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Self Declaration: A self-declaration or affidavit, wherever required by the concerned State Government or implementing authority, confirming the information provided in the application.
- Passport-Size Photographs: Recent passport-size photographs, as specified by the Gram Panchayat, Urban Local Body, or the concerned implementing authority.
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme offers more than one way to submit an application. Senior citizens who are comfortable using digital services can apply through the UMANG Portal or the UMANG App, while those who prefer offline assistance can visit their nearest Gram Panchayat, Block Office, or District Social Welfare Office. Regardless of the method chosen, applicants need to provide the prescribed documents and complete the verification process before the pension is approved.
Apply Through the UMANG Portal
Step 1: Visit the official UMANG Portal and sign in using your registered mobile number. If you are using the portal for the first time, complete the registration process by verifying your mobile number through the OTP sent to your phone.
Step 2: After logging in successfully, search for the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and select the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) from the available services.
Step 3: Carefully enter all the required details, including the applicant’s name, age, address, Aadhaar number, bank account details, and other information requested in the application form.
Step 4: Upload clear copies of the required documents, such as the BPL proof, age proof, residence proof, bank passbook, and any other document requested during the application process.
Step 5: Review the information once again before submitting the application. After successful submission, save the acknowledgement number because you can use it later to check the application status.
Apply Through the UMANG App
Step 1: Install the UMANG App from your mobile application store and complete the registration process using your mobile number.
Step 2: After signing in, use the search option available inside the application to locate the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme.
Step 3: Open the application form and provide all the required personal information exactly as it appears in your official documents to avoid unnecessary delays during verification.
Step 4: Upload photographs or scanned copies of the prescribed documents directly through the application and verify that every document is clearly visible before proceeding.
Step 5: Submit the completed application through the UMANG App. The concerned authority processes and verifies the application in the same manner as applications submitted through the UMANG Portal.
Apply Offline Through the Gram Panchayat or District Social Welfare Office
Step 1: Visit the nearest Gram Panchayat Office, Block Development Office, or District Social Welfare Office and request the application form for the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.
Step 2: Fill in all the required details carefully and attach the prescribed supporting documents, including BPL proof, age proof, residence proof, bank account details, and passport-size photographs.
Step 3: Submit the completed application to the concerned official, who verifies the documents and provides an acknowledgement or receipt for future reference.
Step 4: After the initial verification, the concerned authority processes the application according to the procedure followed in the respective State or Union Territory before approving.
Step 5: Once the competent authority approves the application, the pension amount starts reaching the beneficiary’s bank account or Post Office account as per the payment schedule prescribed under the scheme.
After submitting the application, beneficiaries can visit the UMANG Portal to check their application status, beneficiary details, and pension payment status. They can also access scheme-related information through the NSAP Portal.
Important Links Available
- NSAP Official Portal
- Apply Through UMANG Portal
- Download UMANG App
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme Payment Details
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
If applicants or their family members need any assistance regarding the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, they may contact the concerned authority through the details given below. For application-specific issues, applicants may also approach their Gram Panchayat, Urban Local Body, or the concerned District-level implementing authority.
- Department: National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Division, Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
- Address: Kartavya Bhavan-3, New Delhi – 110114
- Email: mis-nsap@nic.in
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme?
Ans. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is a social security scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). The Government provides monthly financial assistance to eligible senior citizens belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
Q. Which ministry implements this scheme?
Ans. The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, implements the scheme through the Department of Rural Development under the National Social Assistance Programme.
Q. What is the minimum age required to apply for this scheme?
Ans. An applicant must have attained 60 years of age to become eligible for benefits under the scheme.
Q. How much monthly pension does a beneficiary receive under this scheme?
Ans. The Central Government provides a monthly pension of ₹200 to eligible beneficiaries aged 60 to 79 years and ₹500 to beneficiaries aged 80 years and above. State Governments may provide additional pension from their own funds.
Q. Do all States provide the same pension amount?
Ans. No. While the Central Government provides a fixed amount under IGNOAPS, many State Governments add pension. Therefore, the total pension varies from one State or Union Territory to another.
Q. Is this scheme only for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families?
Ans. Yes. The applicant must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) household as per the eligibility criteria prescribed under the scheme.
Q. Can a person already receiving another government pension apply for this scheme?
Ans. Eligibility in such cases depends on the applicable guidelines of the concerned Government and the implementing authority. Applicants should verify the applicable rules before submitting the application.
Q. Which documents are generally required to apply?
Ans. Applicants generally need BPL proof, age proof, residence proof, bank or Post Office account details, passport-size photographs, and any other documents prescribed by the concerned authority.
Q. How can a senior citizen apply for this scheme?
Ans. Eligible applicants can apply through the UMANG Portal, the UMANG App, or by visiting the Gram Panchayat, Block Development Office, or the concerned implementing authority, wherever the facility is available.
Q. Who verifies and approves the application?
Ans. The concerned implementing authority verifies the application and processes it according to the procedure prescribed by the respective State Government or Union Territory before approving.
Q. How is the pension amount paid to the beneficiary?
Ans. The Government credits the pension amount directly into the beneficiary’s bank account or Post Office savings account through the prescribed payment system, including Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), wherever applicable.
Q. Is there any application fee for this scheme?
Ans. No. The Government does not charge any application fee for applying under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.
Q. Can the pension stop after it has been sanctioned?
Ans. Yes. The competent authority may discontinue the pension if the beneficiary no longer fulfils the eligibility conditions or under other circumstances prescribed by the applicable rules.
Q. How often are beneficiary records verified?
Ans. The concerned authority carries out verification and monitoring in accordance with the guidelines and procedures followed by the Central Government and the respective State Government.
Q. Where can a beneficiary check the application or pension status?
Ans. Beneficiaries can use the official NSAP Portal, the UMANG Portal, or the portal notified by their respective State Government, wherever such a facility is available.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.