Here’s an updated overview of the key Government Pension Schemes in India, including new developments and policy changes:
🏛️ Major Central Pension Schemes
1. National Pension System (NPS)
- A voluntary, defined-contribution pension scheme, regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) The Economic TimesIndia Government Portal+3Policybazaar+3India Today+3.
- Participants open an account and contribute monthly; upon retirement, up to 40% of the corpus can be withdrawn, and the rest must be used to buy annuity for a regular pension Policybazaar+1India Government Portal+1.
2. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
- Launched for workers in the unorganized sector aged 18–40; provides a fixed pension of ₹1,000–₹5,000/month from age 60 Department Of Financial Services+4Policybazaar+4Wikipedia+4.
- Over 8 crore subscribers have enrolled as of July 2025 The Times of India+6Wikipedia+6The Times of India+6.
3. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan
- Targeted at unorganized labourers aged 18–40; small monthly contributions (from ₹55) awarded a fixed pension from age 60, with 50% family pension upon death Wikipedia+1Policybazaar+1.
👥 Government Employees & Pension Updates
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
- Introduced as a hybrid for employees previously under NPS; effective April 2025, it guarantees a minimum pension of ₹10,000/month and benefits similar to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) including death gratuity The Times of India+1The Economic Times+1.
- Only about 1.35% of eligible employees have opted for UPS to date (~30,989 out of 23 lakh) India Today.
Employees’ Pension Scheme–1995 (EPS-95)
- Managed by EPFO for formal sector workers; currently provides minimum pension of ₹1,000/month—no official increase announced as of July 28, 2025 amid growing demand Wikipedia+1The Economic Times+1.
🌱 Social Security Pension Schemes
1. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
- Centrally sponsored welfare for the poor below poverty line:
- Old Age Pension (IGNOAPS)
- Widow Pension (IGNWPS)
- Disability Pension (IGNDPS)
- Monthly pensions range from ₹200–₹500 depending on category and age; state governments may add top-ups The Times of India+15Wikipedia+15cgda.nic.in+15.
2. State-Level Examples
- Odisha’s Madhu Babu Pension Yojana: For elderly, widows, persons with disabilities; typical disbursal on 15th of every month via bank or Gram Panchayat Wikipedia.
- Maharashtra Construction Workers’ Pension: ₹12,000/year (~₹1,000/month) to registered workers aged 60+; digital process being finalized The Times of India.
- Bihar Journalist Pension Scheme: ₹15,000/month to accredited journalists, ₹10,000/month to widows announced recently Wikipedia+1The Times of India+1.
📌 Supplementary Scheme
4. Jeevan Pramaan (Digital Life Certificate)
- Not a pension scheme but an Aadhaar-based digital life certificate system for pensioners, eliminating the need for physical submission. Widely used by both central and state pensioners since 2014 Wikipedia.
🧾 Summary Table
| Scheme | Target Group | Pension/Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| NPS (National Pension System) | All citizens + govt & corporate staff | Corpus-based returns; 40% withdraw, rest annuity |
| APY (Atal Pension Yojana) | Unorganized sector workers | ₹1,000–₹5,000/month from age 60 |
| PM Shram Yogi Maandhan | Unorganized labourers 18–40 | Minimum pension; spouse gets 50% after beneficiary’s death |
| Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) | Govt employees under NPS | ₹10,000/month minimum + OPS-style gratuity |
| EPS-95 | EPFO members in formal sectors | Pension from age 58; ₹1,000/month minimal currently |
| NSAP (e.g. IGNOAPS/IGNWPS/IGNDPS) | BPL elderly, widows, disabled | ₹200–₹500/month + state contributions |
| State-level schemes | Specific segments (e.g. journalists, construction workers) | Varies: ₹12k/year, ₹15k/month, etc. |
| Jeevan Pramaan | All pensioners | Digital life certificate for pension continuance |
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