The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
IGNOAPS is one of the five sub-schemes under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which was launched by the Government of India on 15th August 1995. Aimed at providing financial support to the destitute, NSAP offers assistance to those who have minimal or no income and are unable to receive financial support from family or other sources. It is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development and implemented across both rural and urban areas.
Table of Contents
Eligibility Criteria for IGNOAPS:
- Citizens must be living Below Poverty Line (BPL).
- Applicants must be at least 60 years of age.
- A monthly pension of ₹200 is provided for those aged 60 to 79 years, which increases to ₹500 after they turn 80.
The NSAP includes the following sub-schemes:
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
- Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)
- National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
- Annapurna Scheme
Objectives of NSAP:
- Provide financial support to poor households in the event of death, maternity, or old age.
- Ensure national minimum standards of social assistance, complementing or exceeding state provisions.
- Promote uniform social protection across the country.
Application Process
Online
- One can download UMANG App or visit website https://web.umang.gov.in/web_new/home
- The citizen can login using mobile number and OTP.
- Once logged In, citizen can search for NSAP.
- Click on “Apply Online”
- Fill the basic details, choose the mode of payment of pension, upload photo and click on “Submit”.
Apply Now : Click Here
Documents Required
- Duly filled and self-attested Application Form (proforma given the annexures of the scheme guidelines).
- Domicile Certificate
- Residential Proof (Voter card/ Electricity Bill/Aadhar Card)
- Age Proof (Birth Certificate issued by the School last attended or Municipal authority or SHO or through Medical Board)
- Aadhar Number
- Bank Passbook
- Ration Card
- Affidavit duly attested by Judicial Magistrate/Executive Magistrate that she/he is not in receipt of any pension/ financial assistance from any other source
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does NSAP Stand For And When Was It Launched?
NSAP stands for National Social Assistance Programme. NSAP was launched on 15th August 1995.
What Does NSAP Stand For And When Was It Launched?
In providing social assistance benefits to poor households in the case of old age, death of the breadwinner, and maternity, the NSAP aims at ensuring minimum national standards, in addition to the benefits that the States are currently providing or might provide in future. It also aims at ensuring that social protection to the beneficiaries everywhere in the country is uniformly available without interruption.
What Are The Components Of NSAP?
The NSAP at its inception in 1995 had three components namely (1) National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS, (2) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), and (3) National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). The National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS) was subsequently transferred on 1st April, 2001 from the Ministry of Rural development to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. On 1st April 2000 a new Scheme known as Annapurna Scheme was launched. This scheme aimed at providing food security to meet the requirement of those senior citizens who, though eligible, have remained uncovered under the NOAPS. In February 2009, two new Schemes known as Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) were introduced. Presently NSAP comprises of five schemes, namely – (1) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), (2) Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), (3) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), (4) National Family Benefit Scheme NFBS) and (5) Annapurna.
Who Implements NSAP?
The NSAP is implemented in the States/UTs in accordance with the general conditions applicable to all components of the NSAP as well as specific conditions applicable to each component. The NSAP Schemes are mainly implemented by the Social Welfare Departments in the States. But NSAP is implemented by Rural Development Department in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Meghalaya and West Bengal; by the Department of Women & Child Development in Orissa and Puducherry; by the Revenue Department in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and by the Department of Labour Employment & Training in Jharkhand. The NSAP extends to both the rural as well as urban areas
What Is The Basic Eligibility Criterion Under NSAP?
For getting benefits under NSAP the applicant must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family according to the criteria prescribed by the Govt. of India.
How Are The Beneficiaries Identified In Rural Areas?
As per the revised eligibility criteria, new beneficiaries will be identified from the BPL list prepared by the States/UTs as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Rural Development (MORD) for the BPL Census 2002.
