Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
Government-guaranteed pension of ₹1,000–₹5,000 per month from age 60, for unorganised-sector workers who join between ages 18 and 40.
Key facts
| Pension | Guaranteed ₹1,000–₹5,000 per month from age 60 (you choose the slab) |
|---|---|
| Join age | 18 to 40, with a savings bank or post-office account |
| Contribution | Auto-debited monthly / quarterly / half-yearly — the younger you join, the less you pay |
| After death | Spouse receives the same pension; the corpus then goes to the nominee |
| Guarantee | Backed by the Government of India |
| Official portal | jansuraksha.gov.in |
Benefits
You choose a guaranteed pension of ₹1,000, ₹2,000, ₹3,000, ₹4,000 or ₹5,000 per month, payable from age 60 for life. After the subscriber’s death the spouse continues to receive the same pension, and the accumulated corpus then passes to the nominee. The guarantee is backed by the Government of India.
Who can apply
- Age 18–40
- has savings bank account
- not income tax payer
Any Indian citizen aged 18 to 40 with a savings bank or post-office account can enrol. The one hard exclusion: anyone who is or has been an income-tax payer cannot join — a rule in force since 1 October 2022. The earlier you join, the smaller the monthly contribution needed for the same pension.
Who is not eligible
- Anyone who is, or has been, an income-tax payer (rule in force since 1 October 2022)
How to apply
Enrol through the bank or post office where you hold your savings account — most banks accept APY registration through net banking or their mobile app in a few minutes. Contributions auto-debit monthly, quarterly or half-yearly, so the account only needs sufficient balance.
- Use the bank or post office where you hold your savings account.
- Submit the APY form, or enrol in a few minutes through net banking or the bank’s mobile app.
- Keep your Aadhaar, savings-account details and mobile number ready.
- Choose your pension slab (₹1,000 to ₹5,000) and your contribution frequency.
- Keep enough balance in the account for the auto-debit on each due date.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Savings bank or post office account details
- Mobile number
Common problems and how to fix them
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Missed a contribution | A small penalty is added and recovered with the next auto-debit. Prolonged default can freeze the account, so keep it funded. |
| Want a bigger or smaller pension | You can upgrade or downgrade your pension slab once a year. |
| Found to be a taxpayer after joining | The account is closed and your accumulated contributions are returned. |
| Auto-debit keeps failing | Maintain sufficient balance on the due date, and update the auto-debit mandate at your bank if needed. |
Contact information
- Toll-free1800-110-069
Frequently asked questions
Can I increase my pension later?
Yes — you can change your pension slab once a year.
Is the pension really guaranteed?
Yes — the minimum pension is guaranteed by the Government of India.
What happens if I die before 60?
Your spouse can either continue the account or take the accumulated amount.
Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.
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