Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme

Who Is Covered Under the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme?

IGNWPS is a pension scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), which was launched on 15 August 1995 and is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development. The pension plan provides central assistance to destitute widows whose families live below the poverty line, as identified under the criteria prescribed by the Government of India.

The central amount is paid every month through Direct Benefit Transfer to the beneficiary's bank or post office savings account. States and Union Territories may add their own top up, so the total pension depends on where the widow lives.

IGNWPS Renamed Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana

On October 14, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of NSAP for five years ending March 2031, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore. NSAP is renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (PMSSY), and IGNWPS is renamed Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana.

The widow pension continues in its existing form. No change in the pension rate, age group or BPL requirement has been announced for widows. The rate revision in the same decision applies to the disability pension, which rises to ₹375 per month for beneficiaries aged 0–79 and ₹625 per month for those aged 80 and above. 

Existing beneficiaries therefore continue to receive the same pension. Application forms, state portals and bank records may carry the old name for some time.

Widow Pension Amount Per Month

The central pension has two rates, based on the age of the widow.

On attaining 80 years, the central pension under IGNWPS increases to ₹500 per month. 

State governments may supplement the central widow pension through their own schemes. Some states also run separate pension schemes with different eligibility conditions. 

At the Maharashtra rate, a beneficiary receives ₹1,500 × 12 = ₹18,000 in a year. At the central rate alone, the annual amount is ₹300 × 12 = ₹3,600.

Eligibility and Age Limit for Widow Pension

A widow must mIndira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme

eet the central conditions given below. States may add conditions for the state portion of the pension.

• The applicant must be a widow.
• The applicant must belong to a Below Poverty Line family as per the criteria prescribed by the Government of India.
• The applicant must be aged between 40 and 79 years. From 80 years, the pension is paid at ₹500 per month.
• The applicant must be a resident of the state in which the application is made.

State rules add further details. For example, Kerala requires the applicant to be a widow or divorced person who has not remarried, with a family income not above ₹1,00,000 per year, and excludes those who already receive another welfare pension. Assam requires a valid BPL identification number. Madhya Pradesh requires the applicant to be a native of the state.

Documents Required for Widow Pension

The list differs from state to state. The documents commonly asked for are given below.

• Husband's death certificate
• BPL card or BPL certificate
• Proof of age
• Recent passport size photographs
• Bank or post office account details for Direct Benefit Transfer

Madhya Pradesh, for example, asks for three photographs, the husband's death certificate, the BPL card and an age certificate. Online applications there use the 9 digit Samagra ID. The applicant should confirm the exact list with the local Gram Panchayat or urban local body before filing.

How to Apply for Widow Pension

The application is made to the local body of the area where the widow lives. The widow can apply in person by following the steps below.

1. Collect the prescribed application form from the Gram Panchayat, block office, Janpad Panchayat or the urban local body such as the Municipality or Nagar Nigam.
2. Fill in the personal, family and bank details accurately.
3. Attach the death certificate, BPL proof, age proof and photographs.
4. Submit the form and documents at the same office and obtain an acknowledgement.
5. The local body verifies the details through an enquiry. In Kerala, the enquiry is completed within one month of submission, and beneficiary selection follows within another month.
6. After approval, the pension is credited by Direct Benefit Transfer to the bank or post office account.

Note: The application process, online submission facility, required documents and processing timelines vary by state. Applicants should check their respective state pension portal or local government office for the applicable procedure, eligibility requirements and grievance redressal options.

Key Takeaways

The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme provides Below Poverty Line widows with a regular monthly income: ₹300 for ages 40 to 79 and ₹500 from age 80, and many states raise the amount further. The scheme now carries the name Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana, but its rates and conditions remain the same. A widow who meets the age and poverty conditions should apply at the local Gram Panchayat or urban local body, or on the state portal, with the death certificate, BPL proof and age proof. While IGNWPS provides government assistance to eligible widows, individuals planning for retirement can also explore pension plans offered by private insurers to build retirement savings and secure a regular income. 

FAQs

What is the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme?

It is a government pension scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme for widows from Below Poverty Line households aged 40 to 79. The Government of India pays ₹300 per month, rising to ₹500 from age 80. States may add a top up. The Cabinet approved the new name Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana on 14 October 2026.

What is the Modi widow scheme of ₹20,000?

There is no ₹20,000 monthly widow pension under IGNWPS. The National Family Benefit Scheme, renamed Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana, provides one-time assistance of ₹20,000 to an eligible Below Poverty Line family following the death of its primary breadwinner aged 18–59. This is a one-time benefit, not a monthly widow pension. 

How do I apply for the Indira Gandhi widow pension?

The widow submits the prescribed application form at the Gram Panchayat, block office or urban local body of her area. The form is filed with the death certificate, BPL proof, age proof and photographs. After local verification and approval, the pension is credited to the bank account. Some states also accept online applications through their own portals.

What is the age limit for widow pension?

Under IGNWPS, the central pension is ₹300 per month for widows aged 40–79 and increases to ₹500 per month on attaining 80 years. State schemes can differ. For example, the Delhi pension scheme for women in distress is open to eligible applicants aged 18 years and above, with no upper age limit specified.

What is the monthly pension amount for widows in Delhi?

The Delhi government pays ₹2,500 per month to eligible widows and other women in distress under its own pension scheme. The applicant must have lived in Delhi for more than five years, and the annual income must not exceed ₹1,00,000. The amount is credited directly to the beneficiary's bank account.

Is IGNWPS available to widows below 40 years of age?

The central scheme starts at 40 years. A widow below that age cannot claim IGNWPS but may be eligible under a state scheme, as several states run their own widow pensions with different age limits. Delhi, for example, accepts applications from the age of 18 years, subject to its income and residency conditions.

Does the renaming of IGNWPS change the pension amount?

No. The Cabinet decision of 14 October 2026 renames the scheme as Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana and states that it continues in its existing form. The central rates of ₹300 and ₹500 per month and the existing eligibility conditions remain unchanged.

Sources

https://web.umang.gov.in/landing/scheme/detail/indira-gandhi-national-widow-pension-scheme_ignwps.html

http://lsgkerala.gov.in/en/welfarepension/wp

https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/en/scheme/indira-gandhi-national-widow-pension-scheme/

https://socialsecurity.mp.gov.in/Scheme/IGNWP.aspx