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Widow Pension Eligibility — Calculations & Slabs for FY 2026-27

Check whether you meet the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme criteria -- widows aged 40-59 from BPL households -- for Rs 300/month from the centre, with state top-ups.

Last verified: June 2026 | Source: nsap.nic.in

1. Personal Profile

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) Criteria

The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) is a key social security initiative under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). It is aimed at supporting vulnerable widows living below the poverty line.

Age and Pension Slabs

  • Age Group (40 to 79 Years): The central government contribution is ₹300 per month.
  • Age Group (80 Years and Above): The central government contribution increases to ₹500 per month.
  • State Contribution: States generally match or add substantial top-up sums. For instance, Delhi, Haryana, and Maharashtra provide significant extra amounts, making the actual monthly pension much higher.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Am I eligible for the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)?

You are eligible if you are a widow, aged between 40 and 79 years, and belong to a household living Below the Poverty Line (BPL). Once you reach the age of 80, you automatically transition to the higher rate under the scheme.

What is the amount of pension provided under IGNWPS?

The central government share is ₹300 per month for widows aged 40 to 79, and ₹500 per month for widows aged 80 and above. In addition, state governments provide a monthly top-up which can range from ₹100 to ₹2,700 depending on the state of residence.

Does remarriage affect my eligibility for the widow pension?

Yes. If a widow remarries, she becomes ineligible to receive the IGNWPS widow pension, and the benefits will be stopped. This ensures full compliance with the latest regulations, allowing you to estimate values correctly and avoid common filing errors.

Can I receive both old-age pension and widow pension?

No. Under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) guidelines, a beneficiary cannot draw more than one social security pension (e.g. you cannot draw both IGNWPS widow pension and IGNOAPS old-age pension simultaneously). This ensures full compliance with the latest regulations, allowing you to estimate values correctly and avoid common filing errors.

Where can I verify the source data for this calculator?

You can verify the values against the official notifications listed in our data sources section at the bottom of the page.

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About This Calculator

Target Audience: Salaried taxpayers, investors & retirees planning Indian tax & wealth growth

What Does This Calculator Do?

This Widow Pension Eligibility Calculator checks if you qualify for monthly financial assistance under the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS). It estimates both the central government share and state-specific top-up contributions to provide your total monthly pension.

How to Use It

  1. Age: Enter your age (applicable from 40 to 79 years, transitioning to old-age pension at 80).
  2. Poverty Status: Confirm if you hold a BPL (Below Poverty Line) card.
  3. State & Profile: Select your state to calculate local top-ups, and confirm if you are remarried or receiving other pensions.

The Logic Explained Simply

  • The Concept: Under IGNWPS, the Central Government provides monthly pension assistance to widows living in BPL households. The Central share is ₹300 per month for ages 40–79, and ₹500 per month for ages 80 and above. State governments add an additional top-up which varies widely (e.g., Delhi adds ₹2,200, Haryana adds ₹2,700, and Uttar Pradesh adds ₹700).
  • The Formula: Pension = Central Share (₹300 or ₹500) + State Top-up. Eligible = (Widow) AND (Age >= 40) AND (BPL Card) AND (Not Remarried) AND (No other pension).

Real-World Calculation Breakdown

Consider a 45-year-old widow in Delhi who holds a BPL card and does not receive any other government benefits.

  • Eligibility: Eligible (Age is between 40-79, holds BPL card, not remarried).
  • Central Share: ₹300 per month.
  • Delhi State Top-up: ₹2,200 per month.
  • Total Pension: ₹2,500 per month transferred directly to her bank account.

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