Lucknow: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the National Old Age Pension Scheme has emerged as a strong pillar of social security for senior citizens in Uttar Pradesh. In the last eight months alone, 9.83 lakh new eligible elderly citizens have been added to the scheme, taking the total number of beneficiaries in the state to 67.50 lakh in 2025.
The scheme, implemented by the Social Welfare Department, aims to ensure financial security, dignity, and self-reliance for elderly citizens across the state.
Digital Verification Brings Transparency and Accountability
Minister of State for Social Welfare (Independent Charge) Aseem Arun said that in line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision, the pension scheme has been continuously strengthened through digital monitoring and Aadhaar-based verification.
He stated that the implementation of digital verification and continuous monitoring has made the pension distribution system transparent, reliable, and corruption-free, ensuring that government assistance reaches only genuine and eligible beneficiaries.
Total Beneficiaries Rise to 67.50 Lakh in 2025
According to official data, around 61.00 lakh senior citizens were receiving benefits under the National Old Age Pension Scheme in 2024. This figure has now increased to 67.50 lakh in 2025, reflecting the government’s strong commitment to social welfare and elderly care.
The steady rise in beneficiaries highlights the Yogi government’s focus on strengthening social security mechanisms for the elderly population of the state.
Ineligible and Deceased Beneficiaries Removed Through Verification
To maintain the integrity of the scheme, the Social Welfare Department carried out regular verification and reviews. As part of this drive:
- 1.77 lakh deceased and ineligible beneficiaries were removed from the list in 2024
- 3.32 lakh ineligible names were removed in 2025
This process ensured that pension funds were not misused and were redirected to truly deserving senior citizens.
Priority Given to Eligible Elderly Citizens
Deputy Director of the Social Welfare Department Amarjeet Singh said that the department’s foremost priority is to ensure that no eligible senior citizen is deprived of pension benefits.
He informed that while 7.08 lakh new beneficiaries were added in 2024, the number rose significantly to 9.83 lakh in 2025, demonstrating improved identification and outreach mechanisms.
Pension to Be Automatically Credited at Age 60
Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the old-age pension scheme has been further simplified. The government has introduced the ‘One Family One Identity’ Family ID system, through which identification and verification of beneficiaries will be carried out automatically.
With this system in place, eligible citizens will start receiving pension directly into their bank accounts as soon as they turn 60 years old, without delays or procedural hurdles.
Growing Trust in Social Welfare Schemes
Officials said that the improved transparency, timely payments, and automatic verification have boosted public confidence in the Social Welfare Department’s schemes. Elderly citizens across the state are increasingly trusting the government’s welfare initiatives, viewing them as reliable and responsive to their needs.
