NSAP - Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme

Details

The scheme "Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)" is one of the five sub-schemes of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). Under IGNOAPS, citizens living Below Poverty Line and 60 years or above in age are eligible to apply. A monthly pension of ₹ 200 up to 79 years and ₹ 500 thereafter.

The Government of India, on 15th August 1995, introduced the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) as a fully funded Centrally Sponsored Scheme targeting the destitute, defined as any person who has little or no regular means of subsistence from his / her own source of income or through financial support from family members or other sources, to be identified by the States and UTs, with the objective of providing a basic level of financial aid. NSAP is being administered by the Ministry of Rural Development. This program is being implemented in rural areas as well as urban areas.

NSAP represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution of India which enjoin upon the State to undertake within its means a number of welfare measures. These are intended to secure for the citizen's adequate means of livelihood, raise the standard of living, improve public health, provide free and compulsory education for children, etc.

The NSAP at present includes five sub-schemes as its components -

a) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)

b) Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

c) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)

d) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)

e) Annapurna Scheme

Objectives of NSAP -

1. Provides social assistance benefits to poor households in the case of death, maternity, or old age of the breadwinner.

2. Ensure minimum national standards, in addition to the benefits, the States are currently providing or might provide in the future.

3. Ensure uniform social protection to the beneficiaries across the country without interruption.

Expansion to cover all eligible BPL persons -

In 2007, the scheme was expanded to cover all eligible persons Below Poverty Line (BPL).

Benefits

A monthly pension of ₹ 200 up to 79 years and ₹ 500 thereafter.

Eligibility

The applicant should be a citizen of India.
The applicant should be living Below Poverty Line.
The applicant should be at least 60 years of age.

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”.

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

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 Is The Objective Of NSAP?

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

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.

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.

What Will Be The Position In Respect Of Existing Beneficiaries, Whose Names Are Not On The BPL List?

They will continue to get the pension as at present without any interruption notwithstanding the fact that their names are not borne on the BPL list, provided they were eligible as per the old criteria.

How Will The Identification Of The Beneficiaries Be Done In The Urban Areas?

Identification of eligible beneficiaries will be carried out as per the BPL list required to be prepared in connection with the poverty alleviation program off the ministry of Urban Housing and Poverty Alleviation.

What Is The Funding Pattern Envisaged Under NSAP?

Under NSAP 100 percent Central Assistance is extended to the States/UTs to provide the benefits in accordance with the norms, guidelines, and conditions laid down by the Central Government.

What Is The Eligibility For Getting A Pension Under IGNOAPS?

The eligibility criteria under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is - The age of the applicant (male or female) should be 60 years or above. The applicant should belong to a household living below the poverty line according to the criteria prescribed by the Govt. of India

How Is IGNOAPS Different From The Earlier National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS)?

Under NOAPS, old age pensions were granted to a person who is 65 years old or higher and who is destitute in the sense of having little or no means of regular income. Pension under IGNOAPS is now granted to a person who is 60 years or above and belongs to a household below the poverty line instead of only to destitute.

When Did The IGNOAPS Come Into Effect?

The National Old Age Pension Scheme has been renamed as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOPS) and was formally launched on 19th November 2007.

What Is The Pension Amount Under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme? Whether Pension Is Restricted To Only One Person In A Family?

The central contribution of pension under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is Rs. 200/- per month per beneficiary up to 79 years and Rs.500/- per month per beneficiary from 80 year onwards and the State Governments may contribute over and above to this amount. At present old age beneficiaries are getting anywhere between Rs. 200/- to Rs. 1000/- depending on the State Contribution. All the persons who are 60 years of age in a BPL family are eligible to get an old age pension.