Government schemes for senior citizens in India (2026)

Indian citizens 60+ years. Pension schemes also need BPL / SECC criteria.

Rs 5L/year health cover for ALL citizens 70+ regardless of income. Apply at beneficiary.nha.gov.in. Auto-eligible.

• Where to apply: beneficiary.nha.gov.in
• Official portal: https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in

Rs 200/month (60-79) / Rs 500/month (80+). BPL only. State adds top-up. Apply at Block Office.

• Where to apply: NSAP portal
• Official portal: https://nsap.nic.in

8.2% interest (FY 25-26). Quarterly interest. Min Rs 1,000, max Rs 30L. Tenure 5+3 years. Open at PO/banks.

• Where to apply: India Post / banks
• Official portal: https://www.indiapost.gov.in/Financial/Pages/Content/SCSS.aspx

Pension scheme for 60+ via LIC. 7.4% return. Closed for new from March 2023. Existing continue.

• Where to apply: LIC India
• Official portal: https://licindia.in

National award + monetary recognition for senior citizens excelling in service. Apply via state DM.

• Where to apply: Min of Social Justice
• Official portal: https://socialjustice.gov.in

Free aids + assistive devices for BPL elderly. Walking sticks, hearing aids, dentures, spectacles. Camp-based.

• Where to apply: ALIMCO / Block office
• Official portal: https://alimco.in/rashtriya-vayoshri

Rs 300/month (40-79) / Rs 500 (80+). For widows. BPL. Block Office.

• Where to apply: NSAP portal
• Official portal: https://nsap.nic.in

40% (men) / 50% (women) on rail fare. AC + non-AC. ID proof at booking. (Suspended 2020-2024; restoration debated 2025.)

• Where to apply: IRCTC
• Official portal: https://www.irctc.co.in

Rs 50,000/year deduction on interest from FD/savings/PO. Only for 60+. Auto-claim in ITR.

• Where to apply: Income Tax e-filing
• Official portal: https://www.incometax.gov.in

24×7 helpline for elderly — counselling, scheme info, abuse prevention, grievance. Free.

• Where to apply: Toll-free 14567
• Official portal: https://socialjustice.gov.in/schemes

Reserved units in PMAY-U projects for senior citizens. State govt notifies.

• Where to apply: pmay-urban.gov.in
• Official portal: https://pmay-urban.gov.in

Children legally bound to maintain parents. Tribunal at SDM. Pension orders enforceable.

• Where to apply: SDM / Maintenance Tribunal
• Official portal: https://socialjustice.gov.in

Each scheme has own portal. Common docs: Aadhaar (with age proof), bank account, pension order (if pensioner), Ayushman SECC verification. Block / Tehsildar offices most common.

• Elderline 14567 — 24×7 toll-free
• State Department of Social Justice — varies
• HelpAge India — non-govt but well-networked: 1800-180-1253

• Aadhaar age different from school cert — pick most authoritative for pension; affidavit if needed.
• NSAP pension delayed — file RTI to BDO; common 2-6 month backlogs.
• Ayushman 70+ rejected by state — Sept 2024 norm rolled out gradually; appeal to State Health Agency.
• SCSS limit Rs 30L exhausted — split between spouses (Rs 30L each).

Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:

1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
2. Name + designation of dealing officer assigned to my file.
3. Reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
5. Likely date of disbursement / decision.

Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →

Yes from Sept 2024. Rs 5L/year health cover for any citizen 70+ regardless of income. SECC criteria don't apply.

SCSS (8.2%) + Senior Citizen FD at banks (7.5%). LIC Jeevan Akshay (annuity).

State govt adds top-up (Rs 300-1,500 in different states). Plus widow / disability adds another Rs 200-500.

File application at SDM under Maintenance & Welfare of Parents Act. Up to Rs 10,000/month order; enforceable as decree.

File RTI to BDO + Block Programme Officer. Use pension RTI generator.

• 25 how-to-apply guides
• 15 rejection-recovery guides
• 30 documents-required checklists
• Full RTI Playbook — 100+ scenarios

• Each scheme's official portal (linked above).
• Ministry budget documents + scheme operational guidelines.
• Citizen feedback via AwaazRTI (composite, identifying details removed).

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.