Senior Citizen Card: From Pension To Medical Benefits, Here’s How To Apply And Avail Of Benefits

The senior citizen card is issued by state governments across India to any Indian citizen aged above 60 years. It offers tangible benefits in the form of pension, medical benefits and travel concession, among others. Senior citizens also get a higher rate of interest on government small savings schemes, and bank fixed deposits, which they can avail of by giving proof of their senior citizen status to the financial institutions.

In essence, a senior citizen card is not just another laminated piece of plastic. It serves as a proof of recognition that a citizen has reached an age where the state provides them with certain benefits.

Sarthak Ahuja wrote in a post on social media: “Please get a Senior Citizen Card for your family members above 60… these cards have great benefits…”.

That sentence alone sets the tone. This is not a matter of optional paperwork; it is about unlocking the benefits that senior citizens can avail of by virtue of having this card.

What is a Senior Citizen Card?

For seniors, this is more than an ID. It is entitlement packaged into one card. Seniors can walk into a hospital, book transport, and also apply for subsidies, and that too, at a priority. The application fee is also nominal.

Senior Citizen Card Eligibility

• Applicant must be 60 years or older.

• Must have valid identity proof.

• Must show proof of permanent state residency.

Documents Required

The paperwork is the usual set proof of identity, age, and address. Aadhaar, voter ID, ration card, driving license, or even a bank certificate will suffice. Birth certificate, Permanent Account Number (PAN), or school leaving certificate can be used as proof of age. Utility bills, passport, or rental deeds can be submitted as proof of address.

Benefits of Senior Citizen Card

Ahuja says, “A lot of states of India issue a Senior Citizen card which can bring seniors things like a monthly pension, subsidised public transport, discount on air fare, health benefits and a lot more…”

• Pension: Some states provide a regular pension: Delhi, Haryana, Telangana, Karnataka offer close to Rs 2,000 per month. Andhra Pradesh offers Rs 4,000 under the NTR Bharosa scheme. 

• Health: Medical emergencies can bankrupt families, and seniors are often the hardest hit. In Delhi, Ayushman Bharat card coverage goes up to Rs 10 lakh per family per year. Many states add on free check-ups, hearing aids, subsidised or free treatments.

• Ahuja adds, “A large number of states offer free hearing aids, free check-ups and priority health and medical facilities at subsidised rates or free of cost to seniors.”

• Travel Concession

  Some states, such as “Haryana gives a Happy Card that offers 1000 kms of free roadways bus travel annually… Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra and a lot of states offer discounts of 25-50 per cent on bus transportation,” adds Ahuja.

• Other Benefits

  The card is not uniform; each state tweaks it. Kerala provides free doctor visits at home for bedridden seniors. Gujarat organises pilgrimage trips under the Vay Vandana Yojana. Punjab extends widow benefit schemes. West Bengal has food subsidies under Janasree.

Senior Citizen Card Application Form

The form can be filled both online and offline.

How to Apply for a Senior Citizen Card Online

• Visit the National Government Services Portal.

• Select your state portal.

• Fill in the form with personal details.

• Upload documents and a photograph.

• Pay the fee.

• Submit and wait for processing.

How to Apply for a Senior Citizen Card Offline

• Walk to the local government office.

• Ask specifically for the Senior Citizen Card application.

• Fill it, attach proofs, and submit.

The card will be issued in 7-15 days.

Adds Ahuja, “The eligibility of the card is nationwide but you have to apply for it on your state portal, where it comes within 7-15 days and costs about Rs 10 or similar menial amounts.”