The “Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme” is a social security scheme that falls under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). It was launched in 2007 by the central government of India. This plan intends to provide financial support of 200 rupees to senior citizens living below the poverty line or Economically weaker sections. The citizen’s age should be 60 years or older, and the government of India provides a monthly pension of Rs. 200.
The main scheme, NSAP (National Social Assistance Programme), was launched on Independence Day, August 15, 1995. This initiative is totally supported by the Government of India and is specifically designed for elderly Indian citizens from lower-income families who have little, irregular, or no source of income. State government departments and local officials are involved in identifying eligible people for the NSAP scheme. This initiative is open to citizens of both rural and urban areas, and it is administered by the Central Ministry of Rural Development.
NSAP fulfills the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution by giving financial assistance for the welfare of people. NSAP is involved in raising the standard of living, improving health and education, providing free and compulsory education to children, and assisting the elderly, widows, and disabled.
The NSAP currently has five sub-schemes:
1) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
2) Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGWPS)
3) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)
4) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
5) Annapurna Scheme.
Main Objectives of NSAP:
1.NSAP’s major purpose is to provide financial assistance to elderly individuals over 60 who have no other source of income or have irregular income from below the poverty line (BPL).
2. Offers monetary benefits to families with low earnings in the event of the breadwinner’s death, maternity, or old age.
3. Set minimum national standards in addition to the advantages that states currently provide or may provide in the future.
4. Ensure that recipients receive consistent social protection across the country with no interruptions.
5. Quick aid for households who need it through schemes such as the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS).
6. Reduce poverty among populations at risk.
Benefits :
Monthly pension of 200 rupees for senior citizens age 60 and above up to 79 years and 500 rupees thereafter.
Eligibility:
1.Indian nationals aged 60 and above.
2.The applicants should be weaker sections who do not have source income
3.Applicable for both urban and rural areas
Application mode: Online
One can download UMANG App or visit website https://web.umang.gov.in/web_new/home
Citizens can log in using their mobile phone number and OTP.
Once logged in, citizens can search for the NSAP.
Click “Apply Online”
Fill out the essential information, select the pension payment method, add a photo, and click “Submit”.
Documents Required:
1. Completed and self-attested application form (as per the proforma in the scheme guidelines annexure).
2. Your domicile certificate.
3. Provide residential proof, such as a voter ID, electricity bill, or Aadhar card.
4. Provide proof of age (e.g., birth certificate from previous school, municipal authority, SHO, or medical board).
5. Aadhar number.
6. Bank passbook.
7. Ration card.
8. Submit an affidavit, attested by a Judicial Magistrate or Executive Magistrate, verifying the applicant does not receive any pension or financial help from other sources.
Achievements:
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) has made tremendous progress in providing financial stability to India’s older citizens, particularly those from economically disadvantaged origins. It was established in 2007 and provides monthly pensions to people over the age of 60 who are living in poverty. This effort has helped alleviate poverty among the elderly by assuring a minimal income, enhancing their quality of life. It has empowered millions of older persons, allowing them to live with dignity, while also helping to strengthen the social security framework for vulnerable populations across the country.
FAQ’S:
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 IGNOAS Stands for? When it was launched?
The Indira Gandhi National old Age Pension, it was launched in the year of 2007 by Government of India.
3. What Is The Objective Of NSAP?
In addition to the advantages that the States presently offer or may offer in the future, the NSAP seeks to guarantee basic national standards when it comes to delivering social assistance benefits to low-income households in the event of old age, the death of the breadwinner, and pregnancy. Additionally, it seeks to guarantee that social protection is consistently and uninterruptedly offered to beneficiaries across the nation.
4.What are the components of NSAP?
What is NSAP its inception in 1995, the NSAP consisted of three components: the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), and the National Maternity Benefit Scheme. On April 1, 2001, the Ministry of Rural Development transferred the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS) to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. On April 1, 2000, a new scheme, the Annapurna Scheme, was inaugurated. This project attempted to provide food security to senior individuals who, despite being eligible, had been left out of the NOAPS program. Two new schemes, the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGWPS) and the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), were launched in February 2009. The 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), and Annapurna are the five programs that currently make up NSAP.
5.Who implements NSAP?
The NSAP is implemented in the States/UTs in accordance with both general and special conditions that apply to all NSAP components. The Social Welfare Departments in each state primarily implement the NSAP schemes. However, NSAP is implemented by the Rural Development Department in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Meghalaya, and West Bengal; the Department of Women and Child Development in Orissa and Puducherry; the Revenue Department in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu; and the Department of Labour, Employment, and Training in Jharkhand. The NSAP extends to both rural and urban areas.
6.What is 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.
7.How are beneficiaries identified in rural areas?
According to the amended qualifying criteria, new beneficiaries will be selected from the BPL list compiled by the States/UTs in accordance with the instructions given by the Ministry of Rural Development (MORD) for the 2002 BPL Census.
8.How Will Beneficiaries Be Identified in Urban Areas?
Eligible beneficiaries will be identified based on the BPL list prepared for the poverty alleviation program by the Ministry of Urban Housing and Poverty Alleviation.
9.What will be the position with existing beneficiaries whose names are not on the BPL list?
They will continue to get the pension as usual, despite the fact that their names are not on the BPL list, as long as they met the original eligibility conditions.
10.What is the funding system proposed by NSAP?
Under the NSAP, States/UTs receive 100% Central Aid to offer benefits in compliance with the Central Government’s standards, rules, and conditions.
11.What Are the Requirements for Receiving a Pension Under IGNOAPS?
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) qualifying conditions are as follows: the candidate (male or female) must be at least 60 years old. The applicant should belong to a household that lives below the poverty line according to the standards specified by the Government of India.
12.How Does IGNOAPS Differ From the Previous National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS)?
Under NOAPS, old age pensions were awarded to people aged 65 and up who are poor, meaning they have little or no regular source of income. Pensions under IGNOAPS are now available to anyone aged 60 and up who come from low-income households, rather than just the poor.
13.When did the IGNOAPS began to take effect?
The National Old Age Pension Scheme was renamed Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOPS) and formally launched on November 19, 2007.
14.What Is the Pension Amount for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme? Is Pension Only Available To One Person In A Family?
The federal 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 years onwards, with State Governments contributing more than this amount. Currently, old-age pensioners receive anything from Rs. 200/- to Rs. 1000/-, depending on the state contribution. All BPL family members above the age of 60 are entitled for an old age pension.
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