IGNOAPS-SIKKIM

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim

5.8/10

The scheme “Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)” was started by the Department of Women & Child Welfare, Govt. of Sikkim in 2014. Under this scheme, a pension is provided to elderly citizens above the age of 60 years belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.

State Cash

States / UT: Sikkim

Nodal department: Women & Child Welfare Department

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): Yes

Scheme open date: 2014-01-01

Categories: Social welfare & Empowerment, Banking,Financial Services and Insurance

Sub-categories: Pension, Financial assistance, Citizen empowerment

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Old Age, Pension, Below Poverty Line, Direct Benefit Transfer

Details

The scheme “Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)” was started by the Department of Women & Child Welfare, Govt. of Sikkim in 2014. Under this scheme, a pension is provided to elderly citizens above the age of 60 years belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category and the beneficiary will receive a monthly pension of ₹ 1500/-, ₹ 2000/- & ₹ 2500/- as per eligibility criteria.

Benefits

  • [ [ { "children": [ { "text": "A monthly pension of ₹1500/- to the old aged person between the age group of 60 years – 69 years." } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "A monthly pension of ₹2000/- to the old aged person between the age group of 70 years + and above." } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "A monthly pension of ₹2500/- to the old aged persons having attained the age of 80 years and above." } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "The beneficiary will get a pension as long as he/she is alive." } ] } ] ]

A monthly pension of ₹ 1500/- to the old aged person between the age group of 60 years – 69 years.

A monthly pension of ₹ 2000/- to the old aged person between the age group of 70 years + and above.

A monthly pension of ₹ 2500/- to the old aged persons having attained the age of 80 years and above.

The beneficiary will get a pension as long as he/she is alive.

Eligibility

  • The applicant should be a resident of the state of Sikkim.
  • The applicant should be from Below Poverty Line (BPL) family.
  • The applicant should have attained the age of 60 years and above.
  • The applicant should not have any source of income.
  • The applicant should not be a recipient of salary/pension/family pension from Central Government / other State Governments.
  • The applicant should have opened the Bank Account under “Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana”.
    Note 01: In case both the husband & wife are old age persons and are eligible for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), only one member of the family shall be awarded the pension. In case of death of the pensioner, such pension shall be transferred to his/her spouse, if alive on surrender of the passbook, provided he/she has attained the age of 60 (sixty) years of age or more.
    Note 02: Each beneficiary of the Pensions should submit "Life Certificate" in the prescribed format in the month of November every year failing which it will be presumed that the beneficiary is either died or migrated outside the State of Sikkim and the payment of pension shall be stopped forthwith without further notice.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

5.8
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate
Rural usefulness 8.0/10 Good
Application complexity 7.0/10 Challenging
Financial impact 6.0/10 Moderate
Literacy barrier 7.0/10 Challenging
Women inclusivity 6.0/10 Moderate
Awareness 4.5/10 Moderate
Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility5.0
  • Financial impact6.0
  • Rural utility8.0
  • Awareness4.5
  • Simplicity3.0
  • Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The scheme provides financial support to elderly citizens from Below Poverty Line families, ensuring a basic income for survival.

Key challenges addressed

  • Financial insecurity for elderly citizens
  • Support for Below Poverty Line families

Most beneficial for

  • Elderly citizens above 60 years
  • Individuals from Below Poverty Line families

Likely challenges

  • Complex application process
  • Need for regular submission of Life Certificate

Practical insights for citizens

Practical for those who can navigate local government processes

Rural challenges

  • Access to local offices
  • Awareness of the scheme

Digital challenges

  • Limited internet access for online application

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Verification of eligibility
  • Submission of Life Certificate

Awareness challenges

  • Lack of information dissemination

Application analysis

Application mode
Offline office
Documents burden
Moderate
Verification complexity
Moderate
Office dependency
High
DBT dependency
Yes
CSC support
Limited
Estimated citizen effort
High

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach Equal
  • Target income group Below Poverty Line
  • Occupation reach Elderly citizens

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Cash
Benefit frequency
Monthly
Benefit practicality
Practical for basic needs
Financial meaningfulness
Moderately meaningful for survival
Long-term impact
Positive impact on elderly financial security

Plain-language guidance

This scheme helps elderly citizens from poor families by providing a monthly pension. To apply, you need to be over 60 and meet certain income criteria.

Who should apply
Elderly citizens above 60 years from Below Poverty Line families.
Who may struggle
Those unfamiliar with government processes or lacking necessary documents.
Best application route
Apply through your local Gram Panchayat or Municipality office.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Offline

Step 01: The applicant has to approach their concerned Gram Panchayat /Municipality / Municipal Corporation office. Consult with the designated authority about the applying procedure and the local department office for this scheme. Collect the application form.Step 02: Fill in all the mandatory fields of the application form and attach all the (self-attested) mandatory documents and submit it to the designated receiving authority.Post-Application Processes:Step 01: On receipt of an application in the prescribed Form, the same shall be scrutinized by the Selection Committee. Thereafter, the approval shall be accorded by the Secretary.Step 02: A copy of the order for the grant and payment of pensions shall be endorsed to the District Collectors, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Gram Vikash Adhikari and Panchayats where the applicant actually resides and the applicant himself/herself.Step 03: The pension shall be distributed through Direct Benefit Transfer System or any other system as may be decided by the Sanctioning / Competent Authority from time to time.Step 04: If required, the concerned officer of the Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare Department shall make a tour of the village to verify the continued existence of the beneficiary and other relevant particulars.Step 05: Each beneficiary of the Pensions should submit "Life Certificate" in the prescribed format in the month of November every year failing which it will be presumed that the beneficiary is either died or migrated outside the State of Sikkim and the payment of pension shall be stopped forthwith without further notice.

Online

Registration:

Step 01: Visit the official website: https://pensionscheme.sikkim.gov.inStep 02: Click “Create Account”. On the registration page, fill in the mandatory details (Username, Gender, First Name, Last Name, Email, Mobile Number, and Password). Fill in the Captcha Code and click "Register". The login credentials will be sent to your registered Email ID / Mobile Number.Application:Step 01: Visit the official website: https://pensionscheme.sikkim.gov.inStep 02: Click “Apply now” and log in.Step 03: On the application page, fill in all the mandatory fields and upload the required documents in the appropriate file size and file type. Upon successful submission of the application, a system-generated application number will be provided as acknowledgment. Please keep it safe for future reference.Check Application Status:The status, viz. Approval or Rejection if any will be conveyed to the applicant through an SMS.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

What should be the monthly pension under this scheme?

The beneficiary will receive a sum of ₹1500/-, ₹ 2,000/- & ₹2500/- as monthly pension under this scheme as per their eligibility criteria.

How long will a beneficiary receive a monthly pension under this scheme?

The beneficiary will get a pension as long as he/she is alive.

What is the age limit under this scheme?

The applicant should have attained the age of 60 years.

Is this scheme applicable for both husband & wife?

In case both the husband & wife are old age persons and are eligible for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), only one member of the family shall be awarded the pension. In case of death of the pensioner, such pension shall be transferred to his/her spouse, if alive on surrender of the pass book, provided he/she has attained the age of 60 (sixty) years of age or more.

Is this scheme applicable only for Below Poverty Line (BPL) category?

Yes, only a member of the BPL family of Sikkim state is eligible under the scheme.

Is a person drawing any other pension under Central / State Government or from any other sources eligible under this scheme?

No, any person drawing any other pension under Central / State Government or from any other sources is not eligible for the scheme.

What is the mode of filling application?

The applicant may fill application both online & offline mode.

How can I register under this scheme?

Please visit the online portal link: https://pensionscheme.sikkim.gov.in and use the "Create Account" button to reach the registration page. Complete registration requirements as appropriate and click the "Register" button to register and then login.

How will the pension distributed under the scheme?

The pension shall be distributed through Direct Benefit Transfer System or any other system as may be decided by the Sanctioning / Competent Authority from time to time.

Should I need to submit "Life Certificate" every year?

Yes, each beneficiary of the Pensions should submit a "Life Certificate" in the prescribed format in the month of November every year failing which it will be presumed that the beneficiary is either died or migrated outside the State of Sikkim and the payment of pension shall be stopped forthwith without further notice.

References

Website
https://pensionscheme.sikkim.gov.in
Guideline
http://sikkimsocialwelfare.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/22.3.14-Rule-for-Sikkim-Social-Assistance-PEnsion-Scheme-2014.pdf

Apply

Apply now

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Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Social welfare & Empowerment, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Eligibility for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Benefits under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim is managed by Women & Child Welfare Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Applications for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is income certificate required for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim.
Is Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim available in all states?
No, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim is primarily available for eligible residents of Sikkim and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.
Can residents outside Sikkim apply for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Eligibility for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim is generally limited to residents of Sikkim unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.
Is Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim only for women beneficiaries?
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim is primarily intended to support eligible women beneficiaries through welfare assistance, financial support, skill development, healthcare, or social security initiatives.
Does Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim support self-employment or financial assistance for women?
Depending on scheme guidelines, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim may provide loans, subsidies, training support, self-employment assistance, or financial welfare benefits for women.
Who is eligible for pension benefits under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Eligibility may depend on age, income category, social welfare criteria, disability status, widow status, or senior citizen classification defined under the scheme.
How are pension benefits provided under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Pension assistance under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim may be transferred through direct benefit transfer (DBT), linked bank accounts, post office accounts, or welfare department payment systems.
Does Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim provide healthcare or insurance support?
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim may provide healthcare assistance, insurance coverage, cashless treatment support, medical reimbursement, or hospital-related benefits depending on the scheme structure.
Can beneficiaries use Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim at government hospitals?
Eligible beneficiaries may be able to access services at empanelled hospitals, government healthcare facilities, or authorised healthcare providers depending on scheme participation rules.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Are there deadlines for applying to Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Some schemes may operate through fixed application windows, annual registration cycles, or department-specific deadlines depending on scheme implementation policies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim in Sikkim?
Users in Sikkim may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Sikkim applications?
Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.