Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) was introduced in the year 1995 as a part of the National Social Assistance Programme and this scheme was Launched by the ministry of rural development. The main aim of this scheme is to help and improve the livelihood of the widow residing in rural areas. Through this scheme, they will ensure that widow gets financial support and allowances from the government. 

This was first introduced in the Madhya Pradesh state by the central government with the associate state government. This scheme was introduced for the BPL (Below poverty line) person and at the initial period, they were given a pension of 300 rupees per month from the date of their husband’s death. 

This Scheme is eligible for those widows who have the age of 18 years or above and belonging to below the poverty line. The widow, who is 80 years and above, will get 500 rupees as a pension every month. The state government of Delhi gives a pension of rupees 2500 /- every month to the woman who is a widow and should be a resident of Delhi state. There was a rule that for the same person government will not give two pensions. For example, if a woman is getting an old age pension and her husband died, even they will fall below the poverty line but she won’t get a widow pension as she is getting an old age pension.

Eligibility For the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme:

• Women should be a widow
• The widow should belong to the BPL (Below Poverty Line) group.
• Must be a citizen of India
• Pension will be given every month from the day of her husband’s death.
• If the widow re-married, she will not be eligible for this widow pension scheme.
• If a woman gets an old age pension, she can’t get the widow pension, as per the rule two pensions can’t applicable to the same person.

Objectives and Benefits of the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme:

The main objective of this Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme is to provide benefits for the poor widow for households. This pension amount has been increased by the government to 600/-, 200/- by the central government, and 400/- by the state government from March 2019. 

The Benefits of the Scheme are:

• Financial support to the woman who is a widow.
• The government provides more than 700/- if the person who claimed crosses the age of 79 years. 
• Money will be transferred directly to bank accounts every month.

To apply for this Scheme, some processes and documents are needed:

Documents Needed For the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme:

1. Aadhaar Card
2. Ration card
3. Husband death certificate
4. Passport photos
5. Age proof certificate

Related Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Q1. How much amount window get for Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme?

Ans. Initially started with Rs. 300/- per month and now it’s Rs. 900.

Q2. What are the eligibility criteria for the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme?

Ans. Eligibility for the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme:

• Women should be a widow
• The widow should belong to the BPL (Below Poverty Line) group.
• Must be a citizen of India
• Pension will be given every month from the day of her husband’s death.
• If the widow re-married, she will not be eligible for this widow pension scheme.
• If a woman gets an old age pension, she can’t get the widow pension, as per the rule two pensions can’t applicable to the same person.

Q3. When and Where was the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme launched?

Ans. Started in the year 1995 in Madhya Pradesh.