The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) is a Central Government social security scheme implemented under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). It provides monthly financial assistance to eligible widows belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries aged 40 to 79 years receive ₹300 per month as Central Government assistance, while those aged 80 years and above receive ₹500 per month. Many State Governments and Union Territories also provide additional financial assistance under their own social security pension schemes, resulting in a higher overall pension for eligible beneficiaries.
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) |
| Implemented By | Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2009 |
| Parent Programme | National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) |
| Beneficiaries | Eligible widows belonging to BPL households (40-79 years; enhanced assistance for 80 years and above) |
| Central Assistance (40–79 Years) | ₹300 per month |
| Central Assistance (80 Years & Above) | ₹500 per month |
| Additional State Assistance | May be provided by the concerned State Government or Union Territory |
| Mode of Application | UMANG Portal (where available) or the offline procedure prescribed by the local 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 Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): A Brief Insight
The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) is a Central Government social security scheme that provides monthly financial assistance to eligible widows belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. Introduced in 2009 under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), the scheme aims to reduce the financial hardship faced by widows who have little or no regular source of income after the loss of their spouse.
Unlike pension schemes meant exclusively for senior citizens, IGNWPS extends financial support to eligible widows from the age of 40 years. This enables beneficiaries to receive assistance much earlier instead of waiting until they become eligible for an old-age pension. The scheme is implemented by the Department of Rural Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, in coordination with the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
Under the scheme, eligible widows aged 40 to 79 years receive ₹300 per month as Central Government assistance. Beneficiaries aged 80 years and above receive an enhanced Central assistance of ₹500 per month. Many State Governments also provide an additional pension under their own social security schemes, which means the total monthly pension may vary from one State or Union Territory to another.
To receive the benefit, an applicant should be a widow, belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) household, and satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed under the National Social Assistance Programme as well as any additional requirements notified by the concerned State Government or Union Territory. Eligible applicants can submit their applications online through the UMANG Portal, or through UMANG App (Android)/ UMANG App (iOS), or follow the offline application procedure prescribed by the local implementing authority.
In addition to IGNWPS, the National Social Assistance Programme also includes the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), and the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), each designed to support different categories of economically vulnerable citizens.
If you wish to explore more welfare initiatives introduced by the Government of India, you can also browse our dedicated collection of List of Central Government Schemes, where we regularly publish detailed guides, eligibility conditions, application processes, official notifications, and the latest updates on various public welfare programmes.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) provides monthly financial assistance to eligible widows belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. The scheme offers a fixed Central Government pension, while several State Governments may supplement this amount from their own resources, resulting in a higher overall pension for beneficiaries.
- Eligible widows aged 40 years to 79 years receive ₹300 per month as Central Government assistance.
- Beneficiaries aged 80 years and above receive an enhanced Central assistance of ₹500 per month.
- Many State Governments and Union Territories provide an additional pension over and above the Central assistance in accordance with their own welfare schemes.
- The total monthly pension payable to a beneficiary therefore varies from one State or Union Territory to another.
- The sanctioned pension amount is credited through the prescribed payment system to the beneficiary’s bank account or Post Office account.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) provides financial assistance to eligible widows belonging to economically weaker households. Before submitting an application, the competent authority verifies whether the applicant satisfies the eligibility conditions prescribed under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
- The applicant should be a widow.
- She should be between 40 years and 79 years of age at the time of application.
- She should belong to a household identified as living Below the Poverty Line (BPL) in accordance with the applicable guidelines.
- She should fulfil any additional conditions, if prescribed by the concerned State Government or Union Territory for implementing the scheme.
Documents Required to be Attached
Before applying for the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), applicants should arrange all the required documents in advance. The competent authority verifies the applicant’s identity, age, marital status, financial eligibility, and bank account details before processing the pension request. Since documentation requirements may differ slightly across States and Union Territories, applicants should also confirm whether any additional records are prescribed by the local implementing authority.
- Aadhaar Card or any other valid government-issued identity proof.
- Husband’s death certificate or any other document accepted by the competent authority to establish widowhood, wherever prescribed.
- Age proof, such as a birth certificate, Aadhaar Card, school certificate, or any other government-recognised document.
- Below Poverty Line (BPL) card or any other document establishing eligibility under the prescribed BPL criteria.
- Proof of residence, wherever required by the concerned State or Union Territory.
- Bank account or Post Office savings account passbook for receiving the pension amount.
- Recent passport-size photographs, if required during the application process.
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
Eligible widows can apply for the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) either online or offline, depending on the facilities available in their State or Union Territory. Before submitting the application, applicants should keep all the required documents ready so that the verification process can be completed without unnecessary delays.
Apply Online Through the UMANG Portal
Step 1: Visit the UMANG Portal and sign in using your registered mobile number. New users can create an account by completing the registration process.
Step 2: Search for the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
Step 3: Fill in the online application form with the required personal, address, eligibility, and bank account details.
Step 4: Upload the supporting documents wherever required and carefully review all the information before submitting the application.
Step 5: Submit the application and save the acknowledgement or reference number for future use. This number can be used later to check the application status.
Apply Through the UMANG Mobile App
Step 1: Install the UMANG App (Android) or the UMANG App (iOS) on your smartphone and sign in with your registered mobile number.
Step 2: Open the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) service and select the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS).
Step 3: Complete the application form by entering the required information and uploading the necessary documents, wherever applicable.
Step 4: Verify the details entered in the application to avoid mistakes that may delay the verification process.
Step 5: Submit the application through the app and keep the acknowledgement number safely for future reference.
Apply Offline Through the Local Implementing Authority
Step 1: Visit the Gram Panchayat, Urban Local Body, Block Office, or any other office designated by your State Government for accepting pension applications.
Step 2: Obtain the prescribed application form and fill it in with accurate information.
Step 3: Attach self-attested copies of the required documents and submit the completed application to the concerned office.
Step 4: The competent authority verifies the application and supporting documents before processing the request in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
Step 5: After the application is approved, the pension amount is credited to the beneficiary’s bank account or Post Office account through the prescribed payment system.
Applicants can subsequently use the acknowledgement number to track their application status through the NSAP Application Tracking Portal, wherever the service is available.
How to Check Pension Application Status
After submitting an application under the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), applicants can track its progress online through the official National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) portal. Keeping the application or acknowledgement number handy makes the process quicker.
Step 1: Open the NSAP Application Tracking Portal.
Step 2: Select the State and District where the pension application was submitted.
Step 3: Enter the required details, such as the application number, beneficiary ID, or any other information accepted by the portal.
Step 4: Submit the details to view the current application status, beneficiary information, and other available updates. Depending on the services enabled by the concerned State or Union Territory, applicants may also be able to view pension payment-related information.
Important Links Available
The following official resources can help applicants access the scheme, verify eligibility, submit applications, and obtain authentic information related to the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme.
- National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Official Portal
- Apply Through the UMANG Portal
- Download the UMANG App
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
Applicants who require assistance regarding the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) may contact the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Division of the Department of Rural Development using the details below.
- 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 Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)?
Ans. The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) is a Central Government social security scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). It provides monthly financial assistance to eligible widows belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
Q. Who can apply for the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme?
Ans. A widow aged between 40 and 79 years who belongs to a BPL household and fulfils the prescribed eligibility conditions can apply for the scheme.
Q. How much pension is provided under IGNWPS?
Ans. Eligible widows aged 40–79 years receive ₹300 per month as Central Government assistance, while beneficiaries aged 80 years and above receive ₹500 per month.
Q. Do all beneficiaries receive the same pension amount?
Ans. The Central Government assistance is the same across the country. However, many State Governments and Union Territories provide an additional pension from their own funds, so the total amount may differ from one place to another.
Q. Is this scheme different from the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme?
Ans. Yes. IGNWPS is meant for eligible widows, whereas the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) assists eligible senior citizens belonging to BPL households.
Q. Which documents are generally required while applying?
Ans. Applicants may need documents such as identity proof, age proof, BPL proof, bank or Post Office account details, and documents establishing widowhood, wherever prescribed by the concerned authority.
Q. Can applications be submitted online?
Ans. Yes. Online application facilities are available through the UMANG platform wherever the service is enabled. Applicants may also apply through the offline process prescribed by their State or Union Territory.
Q. How is the pension amount paid to beneficiaries?
Ans. After approval, the pension amount is credited through the prescribed payment system to the beneficiary’s bank account or Post Office account.
Q. Is there any fee for applying under this scheme?
Ans. No. Applicants are not required to pay any application fee for submitting a pension request under the scheme.
Q. How can applicants check their application status?
Ans. Applicants can use the official NSAP Application Tracking facility by entering the required details. The availability of status information may vary depending on the services enabled for the concerned State or Union Territory.
Q. Where can applicants get help if they face any difficulty?
Ans. Applicants may contact the concerned implementing authority in their area or the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Division of the Department of Rural Development for further assistance.
Q. Does the Central Government alone provide the entire pension amount?
Ans. No. The Central Government provides the prescribed assistance under IGNWPS, while many State Governments and Union Territories supplement it with an additional pension under their own social security schemes.
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.