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Old Age Pension
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Pension Scheme

Old Age Pension in West Bengal: Central IGNOAPS, State Pension and the 2026 Rise

The central ₹200 and ₹500 pension, the state pension reported at ₹1,500 from August 2026, who qualifies, and how to apply.

Compiled from official releases and published sources, October 2026 8 min read Department: Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal

01Central and State Pensions

Two pensions run side by side. The central Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) under the National Social Assistance Programme pays a small base amount, and the state adds its own pension for the elderly.

02Central IGNOAPS

IGNOAPS as stated in a PIB document
AgeCentral amount per month
60 to 79 years₹200
80 years and above₹500

Eligibility is subject to Below Poverty Line criteria. States add their own top-ups, which the same document says range from ₹50 to ₹5,700 and average about ₹1,100. West Bengal’s ceiling under IGNOAPS is 12,81,159 beneficiaries.

The NSAP website’s older “about” page shows outdated amounts and age bands and should not be relied on.

03State Old Age Pension

The state pension (commonly called Bardhakya Bhata) was ₹1,000 a month before August 2026.

The 2026 rise is reported, not seen in an order. News reports of July and September 2026 say West Bengal raised old-age, widow and disability pensions from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 a month from 1 August 2026, credited by direct bank transfer. No Government Order text was found. A further rise to ₹2,000 in phases was also reported in August 2026, with no date, and the September reports mention only ₹1,500.

04Eligibility Reported for the State Pension

  • Age 60 or above
  • Residence in West Bengal for 10 years
  • Economically weak, with no other government pension
  • One pension per person
Secondary sources differ on the income cap and family-support conditions, and no official eligibility text was reached. The BDO or municipality office can state the rules in force.

05Documents

  • Aadhaar card
  • Voter ID or ration card
  • Income certificate (see the West Bengal Income Certificate page)
  • Bank passbook linked with Aadhaar for direct transfer
  • Photograph and nomination form

06How to Apply

  1. Collect the form from the Block Development Officer or Panchayat Samiti office in rural areas, or the SDO or municipality office in urban areas.
  2. Submit it with the documents. Verification follows and then District Magistrate approval.
  3. The pension is credited by direct transfer.
The previous government’s waiting list was reported cancelled on 7 September 2026, with a fresh list to be prepared. Jan Kalyan Camp registrants are to be verified first, and fresh applications are expected at camps in “late November or December”. Existing beneficiary rolls are also being checked, and about 50,000 names were reported to be removed as ineligible.

07Checking Status

Reports say status is tracked on the Samarth portal, which is now said to be the West Bengal Social Registry (samarth.wb.gov.in), using the application ID, Aadhaar or mobile number. This was not confirmed on an official page.

08Taposili Bandhu, Jai Johar and Madhu Babu

Secondary sources describe Taposili Bandhu and Jai Johar as old-age pensions for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe elderly persons, and Madhu Babu Pension Prakalpa as a pension for elderly folk artists. No 2026 amount, renaming or merger was found for any of them, so their current status is unverified.

10Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the old age pension in West Bengal?

Reports say ₹1,500 a month from August 2026, up from ₹1,000. No order was seen, and a rise to ₹2,000 was reported but not confirmed.

What does the central scheme pay?

₹200 a month at 60 to 79 and ₹500 from 80, for families below the poverty line.

When can fresh applications be made?

Reports expect Jan Kalyan Camps in late November or December 2026. The dates are not confirmed.

Can the pension be combined with another pension?

The reported rule is one pension per person.

This page is updated periodically. Benefit amounts, limits, dates and portal menus change; for the most current and binding information, always refer to the official portal or the implementing office.