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Banking,Financial Services and Insurance

Atal Pension Yojana

Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is an old age income security scheme for a savings account holder in the age group of 18-40 years, who is not an income tax-payee. It helps to address longevity risks among workers in unorganized sector and encourages the workers to voluntarily save for retirement.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Upon exit on attaining 60 years | The subscriber shall receive the following three benefits on attaining the age of 60: | (i) Guaranteed minimum pension amount: Each subscriber under APY shall receive a guaranteed minimum pension of Rs. 1000/- per month or Rs. 2000/- per month or Rs. 3000/- per month or Rs. 4000/- per month or Rs. 5000/- per month, after the age of 60 years until death. | (ii) Guaranteed minimum pension amount to the spouse: After the subscriber’s demise, the spouse of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the same pension amount as that of the subscriber,until death. | (iii) Return of the pension wealth to the nominee of the subscriber: After the demise of both the subscriber and the spouse, the nominee of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the pension wealth, as accumulated till the subscriber's age of 60 years. | Contributions to the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) are eligible for tax benefits similar to the National Pension System (NPS) under section 80CCD(1). | Voluntary exit (Exit before 60 Years of age): | The subscriber shall be refunded only the contributions made by him to APY alongwith the net actual accrued income earned on his contributions (after deducting the account maintenance charges). | However, in case of subscribers who joined the scheme before 31st March 2016 and have received the Government Co-Contribution, shall not receive the same including the accrued income earned thereon. | For death before 60 years | Option 1: In case of death of the subscriber before 60 years, option will be available to the spouse of the subscriber to continue contribution in the APY account of the subscriber, which can be maintained in the spouse’s name, for the remaining vesting period, till the original subscriber would have attained the age of 60 years. The spouse of the subscriber shall be entitled to receive the same pension amount as the subscriber until death of the spouse. Such APY account and pension amount would be in addition even if the spouse has his/her APY account and pension amount in own name. | Option 2: The entire accumulated pension corpus till date under APY will be returned to the spouse / nominee.

Who can apply

The minimum age of joining APY is 18 years and maximum is 40 years.; The age of exit and start of pension is 60 years.; Subscriber contribution to APY shall be made through the facility of ‘auto-debit’ of the prescribed contribution amount from the savings bank account of the subscriber on monthly, quarterly or half-yearly basis.; The subscribers are required to contribute the prescribed contribution amount from the age of joining APY till the age of 60 years.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

When will I receive my Pension?

Age Of Start Of Pension is 60 Years.

I am a Swavalamban subscriber. Can I still, apply for APY?

Eligible Swavalamban Subscribers may be migrated to APY.

Is it required to furnish nomination while joining the scheme?

Yes.

Is there any provision of default nominee or blood relation?

If the subscriber is unmarried they can nominate any other person as nominee and they have to provide spouse details after marriage. If married, the spouse will be the default nominee. The Aadhaar details of spouse and nominees may be provided.

What will happen if the contribution gets delayed?

Subscriber will be charged overdue interest for the delayed period in case the APY contribution gets delayed beyond the due date.

How will I know the status of my contribution?

The periodical information to the subscribers regarding activation of PRAN, balance in the account, contribution credits etc. will be intimated to APY subscribers by way of SMS alerts on the registered mobile number or can be accessed through mobile/APY app launched by NSDL. The subscriber will also be receiving physical statement of account once in a financial year at their registered address.

Whether Aadhaar Number is compulsory for joining the scheme?

It is not mandatory as of now.

Whether an employee of Central/State Government or Public Sector Undertaking and/or a NPS subscriber can subscribe to APY?

APY is open to all citizens of India who have a savings bank account. The minimum age of joining APY is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years. | Provided that from 1st Oct 2022, any citizen who is or has been an income tax payer, shall not be eligible to join APY.

Can I open APY Account without savings bank account?

No, the savings bank account/ post office savings bank account is mandatory for joining APY.

If I have completed 40 years, can I join Atal Pension Yojana?

A person can join APY till his/ her 40th birthday. For example, if person 'X' becomes 40 years old on 1st January 2023, then, he/she is eligible to join APY till 1st January 2023 and becomes ineligible from 2nd January 2023 to join the scheme.