The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), part of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), gives a monthly pension to BPL senior citizens aged 60 and above. The central share is modest — ₹200–500 per month — but most states add a top-up that takes the total to ₹1,000–3,000+ depending on where you live.
Key facts
| Who | BPL citizens aged 60+ |
| Central pension | ₹200/month (60–79 yrs); ₹500/month (80+) |
| State top-up | Varies — many states pay ₹1,000–3,000 total |
| Payment | Monthly DBT to bank/post office account |
| Apply through | Gram panchayat / block office / district social welfare office, or state online portals |
| Programme | NSAP, Ministry of Rural Development |
Eligibility
- Age 60 years or above
- Household is in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list of the state
- No regular income source or family financial support (as per state verification)
- Some states relax criteria or run parallel universal old-age pensions — check your state rules
How to apply
- Get the application form from your gram panchayat / block office (rural) or municipal / district social welfare office (urban) — many states also accept online applications on their e-district portals
- Attach age proof (Aadhaar, voter card), BPL card/number, bank passbook and photographs
- Submit and take a receipt; verification is done by local officials
- On sanction, the pension flows monthly to your account — check disbursal on your state NSAP/pension portal
Track sanction and payment status with your application/pension ID.
If your application is stuck
- Follow up at the block/social welfare office with your receipt number
- Verify your name is in the BPL list — wrong/missing BPL data is the top rejection reason
- Ensure your bank account is active and Aadhaar-seeded for DBT
- Escalate through the district collector’s grievance cell or your state’s CM helpline
Frequently asked questions
My state pays a different amount. Why?
The centre pays ₹200–500; each state adds its own share. For example, several states pay ₹1,000+ total, and some pay significantly more to those 80+.
Can widows or disabled persons get this too?
NSAP has separate schemes — the Indira Gandhi Widow Pension (40+ widows, BPL) and Disability Pension (18+, 80% disability, BPL). One person generally draws one NSAP pension.
Is Aadhaar mandatory?
Aadhaar is used for DBT and de-duplication in nearly all states; carrying it makes approval and payment much smoother.
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Disclaimer: PMYojnaUpdates.com is an independent information portal, not affiliated with any government department. Always verify details on the official site nsap.nic.in before applying.