Full form, mandate, and central framework
- Full Form: Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS).
- Part of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) overseen by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
- Provides vital social security to widowed women who have lost their household's primary income earner.
- Combines a central financial contribution with state government top-ups, creating a composite monthly pension.
Eligibility criteria and qualifying conditions
- Age threshold: Widows aged between 40 and 79 years are eligible (upon reaching 80 years, beneficiaries transition to the higher old-age pension bracket).
- Poverty status: The applicant must belong to a household identified as Below Poverty Line (BPL) according to government survey criteria.
- Marital status: Must be a legally recognized widow who has not remarried.
- Documentation: Requires husband's death certificate, BPL ration card, Aadhaar card, age proof, and active bank account passbook.
Application route and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Apply online through the national NSAP portal (nsap.nic.in) or submit forms at local Gram Panchayat, Block, or Municipal offices.
- Verification is conducted by local revenue authorities and social welfare department inspectors.
- Pensions are disbursed on a regular monthly or quarterly basis directly into the widow's bank or post office savings account via DBT.
Official source
Check the latest rules, benefits and forms here. KisanPe is an independent platform and is not a government website.
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is the full form of IGNWPS?
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme.
What is the eligible age range for IGNWPS?
Widowed women aged 40 to 79 years from BPL households are eligible.
Which ministry administers the IGNWPS scheme?
The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, under the NSAP umbrella.
How can beneficiaries check their widow pension status?
Beneficiaries can track payment and application status on the official NSAP portal: nsap.nic.in.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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