Punjab Government releases ₹1,423 crore for old-age pensions benefiting 23.77 lakh elderly citizens

August 15, 2026

Taking a significant step towards providing financial security to the state’s senior citizens, the Punjab government has released ₹1,423.33 crore under the old-age pension scheme for the current financial year. According to the government, over 23.77 lakh elderly individuals are currently benefiting from this scheme. It is considered one of the state’s most important and extensive welfare schemes in the realm of social security.

Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, stated that the government has allocated a budget of ₹4,000 crore for this scheme for the current financial year.

The objective is to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive their pensions on time and without any hindrance. She noted that the government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is continuously striving to provide a dignified life, financial security, and social protection to senior citizens.

The Minister has instructed officials to ensure that no eligible elderly person is deprived of the scheme’s benefits. She directed District Social Security Officers to process new applications transparently and in a timely manner, resolve pending grievances quickly, and raise awareness about the scheme in both rural and urban areas. She emphasized that the true benefit of such schemes is realized only when government assistance reaches every eligible individual on time.

According to the Punjab government, permanent residents of the state who meet the prescribed criteria can avail the benefits of this scheme. Men aged 65 years or older and women aged 58 years or older are eligible. Additionally, their annual income from all sources must not exceed ₹60,000. Eligible senior citizens can apply through the respective social security offices.

Dr. Baljit Kaur also appealed to elderly citizens who have not yet applied for the scheme to register as soon as possible and avail themselves of the government assistance. She stated that the government’s goal is to extend the benefits of social security schemes to every eligible citizen. They also reiterated that the Punjab government will continue to work on new initiatives and on making existing schemes more effective for the welfare of senior citizens in the future.

The Punjab government believes that a robust social security system not only alleviates the financial concerns of the elderly but also provides them with the opportunity to live a life of dignity and self-reliance. With this objective in mind, the Old Age Pension Scheme is being continuously strengthened to ensure that no eligible senior citizen in the state is deprived of financial assistance.