The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was started by the Government of India on August 15, 1995. The programme consists of vridha pension schemes aimed at financially empowering and helping a certain set of persons in their subsistence. Some of the beneficiaries under the NSAP are the elderly, widows, below-poverty-line families, etc.

The pension scheme has acted positively in bringing about stability and change in the lives of the ones at a disadvantage. The Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) forms a part of the NSAP.

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What Is The Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme?

The Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is a central government scheme aimed at financially empowering eligible senior citizens by providing them with a monthly pension.

The scheme was introduced in 2007 by the Ministry of Rural Development under the NSAP along with other schemes aimed at helping the elderly, disabled and widows. It is a noncontributory scheme that does not require any previous or futuristic contributions from the beneficiaries to avail of the benefits of this scheme.

Presently, the IGNOAPS has approximately 2.3 Crore beneficiaries.

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Objective Of The Scheme (IGNOAPS, National Pension Scheme)

The main aim of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) about the National Pension Scheme is to extend the provision of sustenance to impoverished elderly people regularly.

The scheme’s objective is to ensure that senior citizens over the age of sixty-five, irrespective of the fact whether they are working or not, receive a monthly pension to meet basic survival needs

The govt scheme also states that as much as possible, the elderly in poverty, especially the elderly women, IGNOAS seeks to alleviate economic insecurity among the elderly and enhance their quality of life and thereby promote social inclusion and respect towards ageing people in India.

Benefits Of Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme

The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is a social security initiative under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) aimed at providing financial support to senior citizens who fall under the poverty line in India. Here is an expanded explanation of the benefits and other additional aspects of this important scheme.

Monthly Pension Benefits:

For Senior Citizens Aged 60 To 79 Years

• Eligible beneficiaries receive a monthly pension of Rs 200. This amount is provided to ensure that elderly individuals who may not have a stable source of income have some financial support for necessities.

For Senior Citizens Aged 80 And Above

• The pension amount increases to Rs 500 per month for those aged 80 years and above. This higher amount recognizes the increased needs and vulnerabilities of very elderly individuals.

Additional Benefits Of IGNOAPS

State-Specific Benefits

• While the basic pension amount is fixed under the central scheme, many states offer additional financial support to elderly citizens. States like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha have top-up pension schemes where the elderly receive more than the central amount. For example, some states may provide an extra Rs 200 to Rs 300 depending on the available budget and local policies.

Eligibility For BPL Households

• The scheme is targeted at Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, ensuring that the poorest and most vulnerable elderly individuals receive benefits. This includes senior citizens who do not have a regular source of income or financial support from family members.

Ease of Access To Payments

• Beneficiaries can receive their pension amounts directly into their bank accounts or post office accounts, ensuring transparency and ease of access to funds. This direct transfer method minimizes the chance of delays or corruption.

Additional Schemes Linked To IGNOAPS

Many elderly citizens who are part of IGNOAPS may also benefit from other welfare programs. These include:

• Free medical care under government-run hospitals and primary healthcare centres.

• Subsidized food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS), ensuring that beneficiaries have access to essential food items.

• Concessions on travel, particularly on state transport systems, allow the elderly to move around with greater ease.

Widow And Disability Pensions:

• In some states, IGNOAPS beneficiaries may also qualify for widow or disability pensions, especially if they have a disability or are widowed. This provides comprehensive support for those in dire need.

Support For Health Emergencies:

• In cases of extreme medical need, some states provide emergency financial aid or free medical insurance to IGNOAPS beneficiaries, helping them handle health crises.

Easy Application Process:

• Applying for the pension is simplified through local Gram Panchayats, Block Development Officers, or online portals where beneficiaries can easily check their eligibility and apply without going through extensive bureaucratic processes.

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Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply For Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme

The IGNOAPS has specific eligibility criteria that need to be met to avail of the benefits of this government scheme. It is enlisted as follows:

• The applicant must be 60 years or above in age.

• The applicant or their family is under the below-poverty line (BPL) category.

• The applicant must not have any source of help or financial aid from other sources or their family.

• The applicant must also be a citizen of India.

When all the above state criteria are fulfilled, the person becomes eligible to receive benefits under IGNOAPS.

Who Can Not Apply For This Vridha Pension Scheme

While applying for the Vridha pension under the pension scheme, an individual must fulfil certain conditions. Those who cannot opt include:

• Any older adult who is availing some form of a pension from the central or state government already.

• Foreigners and those people who do not have a valid Domicile Certificate.

• People whose earnings are above the BPL poverty line since this is meant for BPL citizens.

• Contenders who are not above the age of 60 years and above.

To enable the elderly citizens who most deserve such a vridha pension and not just anybody.

Documents Required For Government Pension Scheme (Vridha Pension Yojna)

To apply for the Government Pension Scheme under the Vridha Pension Yojna, the applicants are required to submit the following documents:

• Age Proof: Interested and eligible applicants' age can be verified through their birth certificate, voter ID, or Aadhaar ID.

• Domicile Certificate: Proof which confirms the possessness of Indian citizenship and studies there.

• Income Certificate: A certificate given to an individual by authorities to state that his /her income does not exceed the poverty line.

• Bank Account Details: For the convenience of receipt of the said pension amount directly into the account.

• Aadhaar Card: For KYC purposes and to get registered under the pension scheme.

• Passport-sized Photographs: Recent photos of self- which are required to be attached to the application form.

These documents act as a form of insurance in the effective application of the Vridha Pension Yojna by proving the entitlement status of the applicant.

How To Apply For Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme: A Step-By-Step Guide

An application can be made under IGNOAPS in both online and offline modes, ensuring convenience and accessibility for senior citizens. For those opting for the online mode, the application process is streamlined and can be easily completed through government portals, where users are required to provide necessary personal details, income verification, and supporting documents to confirm eligibility for the scheme.

• Download the UMANG app on your device or visit the official website, https://web.umang.gov.in/.

• Login using the mobile number and filling the One-Time Password (OTP).

• Search for the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and click on ‘Apply Online’.

• Fill in the credentials, basic details and the required documents and submit the web form.

• You can check the status of your application after successful form submission on the NSAP website.

Procedure For Offline Application Under IGNOAPS:

To make an application in the offline mode, the following procedure needs to be followed:

• Contact your Gram Panchayat, Municipality or Corporation Officer.

• Request an application form for IGNOAPS.

• Fill in the form and submit it to the concerned authority along with the relevant documents and Domicile Certificate.

If you want to check the application status of your submitted application under the Government Pension Scheme – please do exactly as follows:

• Access the Official Portal: Open the official government website or the portal where you fill out the forms for the pension scheme.

• Login Using Credentials: Enter your registration number, aadhaar no – and mobile no which was used while applying for pension scheme.

• Click on ‘Check Status’: Locate the page where you can check the status of your application, usually under the pensions scheme section.

• View Your Status: The portal will show you, the user, the status of your application whether it is in review, approved or still require certain action.

• Visit Government Offices: Alternately, you could go to the nearest Gram Panchayat, Municipality and Corporation Office to check the status of your application regarding the Government Pension Scheme.

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What Are The Different Schemes Under NSAP? (Pension Scheme)

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) includes a few schemes, assisting people who are aged/sick/widowed below the poverty line. Here’s what we can add under NSAP:

• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme: Provides a monthly pension to old persons of sixty years and above.

• Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Provisions of pension to widows of 40-59 age group, belonging to the lower socio-economic category.

• Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): A scheme meant for people who suffer from multiple disabilities over the age of 18 years.

• National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): This scheme is beneficial to families living below the poverty line due to the death of their earning member.

These pension schemes are helpful to the poorer sections of society as they help them to have enough money.

Mode Of Payment Of Pension Amount

In most of the Govt Pension Schemes, the pension amount is credited directly into the beneficiary’s bank account. As regards the beneficiaries, they are obliged to have a current active bank account or a post office savings account into which the pension for the month is paid. There are some states which have even extended the pension payment via India Post Payments Bank for people living in such remote regions.

Old Age Pension Payment Details Online

To find out your Old Age Pension Payment details encourage these steps;

• Visit the Official Website: Search on the internet for the official government website of your State’s Old Age Pension.

• Login: Enter the details of your Aadhaar number or the pension ID you were given to log in.

• View Payment History: Click on the section providing “Payment Details” and check on the day when you paid the pension and the corresponding amount.

This gives you the ability to follow up and confirm the status of the pension payments made to you.

Check Old Age Pension Scheme Beneficiaries List

To check the Beneficiaries List of the Old Age Pension Scheme, do the following:

• Official NSAP Website: Go to NSAP or the respective state pension scheme portal.

• Select Beneficiaries List: Search for the Beneficiaries or List Of Beneficiaries option.

• Enter Required Details: Provide details like your district and block, etc.

• View the List: The page will show the names of people enrolled under the Old Age Pension Scheme and you will be able to see if your name appears there.

This makes it a hassle-free task for people to check their name in the Pension Scheme.

Conclusion

Social and financial security schemes by the Government of India, such as the Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) help in bridging the financial resource gap in the society. The schemes act as a helpful measure in providing a dignified and equitable old age to the citizenry across all classes.

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Important Links

Official Website: https://nsap.nic.in/

Contact Information: https://nsap.nic.in/circular.do?method=showcontactus

Dashboard Link: https://nsap.nic.in/