Summary of this article
The Delhi government has ordered officials to complete verification of IGNWPS beneficiaries by April 1, 2026. The drive aims to ensure timely support for BPL widows aged 40 and above, while removing ineligible cases due to remarriage or improved economic status
The Delhi government has directed its officials to verify the list of beneficiaries under the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) within 15 days starting April 1, 2026. The Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) issued the order regarding this on March 30, and asked the district offices to use the mobile app, Beneficiary Satyapan App (BSA), specifically designed for this purpose, and complete the verification process.
The verification process has already started under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) so that beneficiary verification can be done in a timely manner. In addition to this, district officers have also been tasked to carry out verification in accordance with the guidelines, and complete the process within the defined time period, according to a report by The New Indian Express.
The IGNWPS is a social welfare scheme for widows belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) background. Launched in 2009, it offers Rs 300 per month to eligible widows within the 40-79 age group, and Rs 500 per month to those aged 80 years and above.
The non-contributory welfare scheme, launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, ensures financial support to widows for their lifetime, until they remarry.
An applicant needs to fulfil the following two criteria to receive this pension:
The applicant should be in the age group of 40-79 years.
The applicant should belong to the BPL families, as per the criteria prescribed by the Government of India.
In case of remarriage, the pension will stop. Also, if the economic status improves and the applicant moves above the poverty line, the welfare widow pension will also be stopped.
To apply for the pension, a widow needs to provide the death certificate of her husband with her details, BPL card, and an age proof.
In a separate development, the Delhi government has enrolled only 14,000 slots out of the total 50,000 for the old-age pension welfare scheme since September 2025. It attributed the slow enrolment to the procedural and technical constraints. Meanwhile, a few of the senior citizens faced delays in their pension payment, which, according to a PTI report, would be released this week after getting approval from the Finance Department. The scheme offers Rs 2,500 to beneficiaries between 60 years and 70 years and Rs 3,000 to those aged above 70 years. There are over 435,000 beneficiaries under the old age pension scheme.
