The Central Government’s PM Vridhavastha Pension Yojana gives a monthly pension to elderly people from poor families. It was earlier called the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). It is one of the five sub-schemes of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and is run by the Ministry of Rural Development. On 14 October 2026, the Union Cabinet decided to continue NSAP till 2030-31 and rename it the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; with that, IGNOAPS became the PM Vridhavastha Pension Yojana. The pension rates have not changed.
How much pension is given
The Central Government gives ₹200 a month to a BPL senior citizen aged 60 to 79 years and ₹500 a month to one aged 80 years or above. This amount is the Centre’s share — state governments add their own top-up to it. In Haryana, the total old-age pension is ₹3,200 a month, under the state’s Old Age Samman Allowance scheme, which includes the Centre’s ₹200/₹500 share. This scheme has been running in its present form since November 2007.
Who can apply
The applicant must be aged 60 years or above and belong to a family Below Poverty Line (BPL) — BPL status is identified as per the criteria prescribed by the Government of India. There is no caste condition. The pension goes directly into the bank account through DBT, so the applicant must have a bank account and Aadhaar in their name. On the beneficiary’s death, the family may get a one-time ₹20,000 under the National Family Benefit Scheme.
Duration and budget of the scheme
Under the Cabinet decision, NSAP — now the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana — will continue for five years, 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore. Around 3.20 crore beneficiaries across the country will benefit from it. The old-age pension covers around 221.31 lakh beneficiaries.
How to apply
Applications can be made online on the UMANG app or the NSAP portal (nsap.dord.gov.in). Offline applications are also accepted at the Gram Panchayat, Block office or Municipality. The application has to be submitted with the BPL card or ration card, age proof (birth certificate, Aadhaar or voter card), Aadhaar card and bank account details. A decision is normally taken within 60 days. Do not pay anyone for applying — this facility is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money does the PM Vridhavastha Pension give?
A: The Centre gives ₹200 a month (60–79 years) and ₹500 a month (80 years and above); states add top-ups — in Haryana the total is ₹3,200 a month.
Q2: What was the old name of this scheme?
A: Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS); on 14 October 2026 it was renamed PM Vridhavastha Pension Yojana.
Q3: Who can apply?
A: A BPL citizen aged 60 years or above; there is no caste condition.
Q4: Where do I apply?
A: On the UMANG app, nsap.dord.gov.in online, or offline at the Gram Panchayat or Block office.
Useful links
- NSAP portal: https://nsap.dord.gov.in/
- PM Vridhavastha Pension Yojana on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/nsap-ignoaps
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — /english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
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