Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension (IGNOAPS) — ₹200

What is IGNOAPS?

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is a centrally sponsored social assistance scheme under NSAP (National Social Assistance Programme) that provides a monthly cash pension to elderly BPL citizens aged 60 years and above.

The scheme provides basic financial security to senior citizens who have no stable source of income or support.

Key features:

• ₹200/month for persons aged 60–79 years
• ₹500/month for persons aged 80 years and above
• Paid directly to beneficiary's bank/post office account via DBT
• State governments often add their own top-up — combined pension can be ₹500–₹2,000+/month depending on state

State top-ups are significant: UP adds ₹300 (total ₹500), Bihar adds ₹200 (total ₹400), Rajasthan adds ₹500–750 (total ₹700–1,000), Tamil Nadu pays ₹1,000 total. Check your state's amount.

Who is Eligible?

• Age: 60 years or above
• Must be from a BPL (Below Poverty Line) family
• Should have no stable income or financial support from family or other sources
• Must be a resident of India
• Not already receiving any other government pension of equivalent nature

How to Apply

Via Gram Panchayat / Ward Office (Most Common Method)

1. Visit your Gram Panchayat office (rural) or Ward office / Municipal Corporation (urban)
2. Ask for the IGNOAPS application form
3. Fill the form with your personal details, age, BPL card number, bank details
4. Submit with documents (see below)
5. Gram Panchayat forwards to Block/Tehsil for verification
6. If approved, your name is added to the pension list
7. Pension starts in the next quarter after approval

Via State Online Portal

Many states have online application systems:

• UP: sspy-up.gov.in
• Bihar: sspmis.bihar.gov.in
• MP: socialjustice.mp.gov.in
• Rajasthan: ssp.rajasthan.gov.in
• Maharashtra: aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in

Search "[state name] old age pension apply online" for your state-specific portal.

Documents Required

1. Aadhaar card (identity and Aadhaar-linked DBT)
2. Age proof — Aadhaar (if DOB is there), voter ID, birth certificate, or school certificate
3. BPL card / ration card showing BPL status
4. Bank account passbook — in the applicant's name (Aadhaar-linked)
5. Income certificate or self-declaration of no stable income
6. Passport-size photograph

State-Wise Pension Amounts (Combined Central + State)

Central contribution is ₹200/month (₹500 for 80+). States add variable amounts. Contact your state social welfare department for exact current amounts.

IGNOAPS vs Other NSAP Pensions

NSAP has multiple pension components — IGNOAPS is for the elderly. Other NSAP pensions:

A person can only receive one NSAP pension — IGNOAPS is the most widely availed.

Check Payment Status

1. Go to nsap.nic.in
2. Click "Reports" → select state → beneficiary search
3. Or check your state social welfare pension portal for individual status

Payment comes on the 1st of each month or as per state schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am 62 and BPL but haven't received pension despite applying 6 months ago. What to do?

Visit your Block Development Office (BDO) or District Social Welfare Office. Ask for your application status in their register. Delays are common — persistent follow-up at the block level helps.

My mother doesn't have a bank account. Can she still get the pension?

She needs a bank account for DBT. Help her open a Jan Dhan / savings account with her Aadhaar. Post office savings accounts also work.

Can someone get both widow pension and old age pension?

No — only one NSAP pension per person. A widow over 60 typically gets IGNOAPS (old age pension) as it may be a higher amount than widow pension in some states.

I live in a city but am BPL. Do I apply at the ward office?

Yes — for urban areas, apply at the Municipal Ward Office or Urban Local Body (ULB). The process is similar but run by the city's urban local body.

Is the pension taxable?

NSAP pension amounts are very small and fall well below the taxable income threshold. In practice, they are not taxed.

Official Links

• NSAP portal: nsap.nic.in
• Ministry of Rural Development: rural.nic.in
• Contact: Nearest Gram Panchayat, Block office, or District Social Welfare Office
• Helpline: 1800-111-555 (Ministry of Rural Development helpline)