Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) - Age Limit, Amount, Status Check

The Ministry of Rural Development introduced the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) in 2007. The IGNOAPS is also called National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS). It aims to provide social protection to eligible beneficiaries.

Features of IGNOAPS

• Under the IGNOAPS, senior citizens in India will receive a monthly pension.
• It is a non-contribution pension. It means the beneficiary need not pay any contribution amount to receive the pension.

Benefits of IGNOAPS

The benefits provided to the eligible beneficiaries are as follows:

Eligibility Criteria of IGNOAPS

• Applicants should be equal to or above 60 years.
• Applicants should belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) family as per the criteria prescribed by the Government of India.
• Applicant must not have a regular source of financial support from family members or any other sources.

IGNOAPS Application Process

• Visit the Social Welfare Department in urban areas and the District Social Welfare Officer in rural areas.
• Get the application form for IGNOAPS.
• Fill the following information on the application form:
  • Name and address of the pensioner.
  • Parents or spouse name.
  • Date of birth.
  • Category.
  • Block, district and state.
  • Village panchayat or locality.
  • Aadhaar number, ration card number.
  • BPL details.
  • EPIC number (Voter ID number).
• Submit the application form and the documents to the Social Welfare officers or the District Social Welfare officers. Note the application number for further reference.
• The applications will be verified or scrutinised by the respective officers.
• The Grama Panchayats or municipality will make the final beneficiary list.

Documents Required for IGNOAPS

• Applicant photo.
• Ration card.
• BPL card.
• Identity and address proof.
• Age certificate.
• Income certificate.
• Bank account details.

IGNOAPS Application Status Check

Applicants can check their application form status online through the following process:

• Visit the NSAP website.
• Click on the ‘Report’ option on the homepage.
• Click on the ‘Application Tracker’ option under the ‘Beneficiary search, track and payment details’ tab.
• Enter the ‘Application Number’ and ‘Captcha Code’ and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
• The status of the application will be displayed.

IGNOAPS Pension Payment Details

Applicants can check the pension payment details under this scheme online through the following process:

• Visit the NSAP website.
• Click on the ‘Report’ option on the homepage.
• Click on the ‘Pension Payment Details’ option under the ‘Beneficiary Search, track and payment details’ tab.
• Select the ‘Sanction Order No/Application No’ option.
• Enter the ‘Sanction order/Application number’ and ‘Code’ and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
• The pension payment details will be displayed.

Implementation of IGNOAPS

The respective states’ Social Welfare Departments implement the IGNOAPS under the NSAP schemes in rural and urban areas. In the rural areas, the IGNOAPS beneficiaries are identified from the BPL list prepared by the states/UTs as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Rural Development (MORD) for the BPL Census 2002.

In the urban areas, the eligible beneficiaries under the IGNOAPS are identified according to the BPL list required to be prepared under the poverty alleviation programme of the Ministry of Urban Housing and Poverty Alleviation. 

The Central Government extends 100% assistance to the states/UTs to provide the IGNOAPS benefits as per the guidelines, norms and conditions laid down by the Central Government. The old-age pension amount under this scheme is credited to the beneficiary post office account or bank account as per the information furnished by the applicant.