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ActiveCentral Sector SchemeLaunched 2009-02-01Verified: 2026-09-16

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS / NSAP)

Monthly social security pension under NSAP for destitute widows aged 40 to 79 belonging to below-poverty-line families.

Government Levelcentral Government
Administering BodyMinistry of Rural Development
Beneficiary Sector
Social Welfare & SecurityWomen & Child Development
Applicable Jurisdiction
All India

₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown

Central monthly pension assistance of ₹300 per month for eligible widows aged 40–79 years. States provide supplementary top-ups (typically ₹300 to ₹1,700/month, resulting in total payouts of ₹600 to ₹2,500/month). Upon attaining 80 years of age, the beneficiary is automatically migrated to the higher IGNOAPS slab of ₹500 per month central assistance. Paid via DBT directly into bank account.

📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach

Fiscal Budget Allocation

Included under overall NSAP central budget allocation

Official Budget Document ↗
Verified Beneficiary Reach

65+ Lakh destitute widows supported under IGNWPS

As of: 2024-03-31PIB / Official Citation ↗

Verified Eligibility Criteria

Age Requirement:40 to 79 years
Annual Family Income Ceiling:No gross income ceiling specified
Target Occupations:widow, all
Eligible Gender:female
Social Category / Reservation:BPL, all
Specific Operational Conditions & Exclusions:

Applicant must be a widow aged 40–79 years belonging to a household living Below Poverty Line (BPL). Pension ceases upon remarriage or gaining gainful formal employment. Transitions to senior pension slab at age 80.

Required Documents Checklist

  • ✓
    Aadhaar CardMandatory

    Mandatory applicant KYC identification.

  • ✓
    Death Certificate of husbandMandatory

    Issued by Registrar of Births and Deaths.

  • ✓
    BPL Ration Card / CertificateMandatory

    Establishing household Below Poverty Line status.

  • ✓
    Aadhaar-seeded Bank Account PassbookMandatory

    For receiving monthly pension credit.

  • ✓
    Non-remarriage Self-DeclarationMandatory

    Certification of non-remarriage.

How to Apply

1. Obtain NSAP Widow Pension form from local Gram Panchayat or Municipal Ward Office or download from https://nsap.nic.in. 2. Complete personal details, deceased husband name and death certificate details, and BPL card number. 3. Submit with husband death certificate, BPL verification, and bank details to the Block Development Office or Municipal Commissioner. 4. Field verification conducted by Panchayat Secretary / Revenue Inspector. 5. Sanction issued by SDM / District Social Welfare Officer; monthly DBT disbursed via PFMS.

Official Government Application Portal

You will be redirected to the secure official portal: nsap.nic.in

Apply on official government website

Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)

Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.

What happens when an IGNWPS pensioner reaches 80 years of age?

The pensioner automatically transitions to the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) and receives the enhanced senior pension of ₹500 per month central share.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Is the pension continued if the widow remarries?

No. Entitlement to the widow pension ceases immediately upon remarriage. Beneficiaries are required to report changes in marital status.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Can a widow below 40 years receive central pension under IGNWPS?

No. The statutory central age threshold is 40 years. However, several states operate state-funded pension schemes for younger widows.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings

Applicant below 40 years; lack of official death certificate of husband; applicant remarried; household not below poverty line.

Editorial Verification & Change Log

DateFieldDescription / UpdateSource Citation
2026-09-16initial_verificationBaseline verification of IGNWPS guidelines, widow eligibility conditions, and transition to IGNOAPS at age 80.Official Source ↗

Application Window & Deadlines

Open throughout the year (Continuous enrollment)

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Official Helpline & Nodal Offices

NSAP Cell, Ministry of Rural Development

NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi - 110001

Helpline: 1800-11-6446 (National NSAP Helpdesk)

Jurisdiction: National (All-India)

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Verification Metadata

Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-09-16 against official government documentation.

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