Launched: 1995 as a component of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
Nature: Non-contributory social assistance pension scheme.
Target Group: Poor elderly persons belonging to eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
Key Objective: To provide basic income support and social security to elderly persons who have little or no regular source of income.
Eligibility
- Age: 60 years and above.
- The beneficiary must belong to an eligible BPL household, as per applicable government guidelines.
Central Assistance
- ₹200 per month for beneficiaries aged 60–79 years.
- ₹500 per month for beneficiaries aged 80 years and above.
State Contribution
States and Union Territories may provide an additional pension amount over and above the Central Government assistance.
Funding
Central assistance is provided under NSAP, while States/UTs can supplement the pension with additional financial support.
Implementation
The scheme is implemented through States and Union Territories, with pension assistance generally transferred directly to eligible beneficiaries through designated payment channels.
Key Features
The Central Government provides the prescribed assistance, while States/UTs can supplement it with additional pension from their own resources.
