Context:
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme is being criticised for remaining outdated since 2007. The Union government’s monthly pension amount remains ₹200 for persons aged 60-plus and ₹500 for persons aged 80-plus, with States adding varying contributions.
Explanation:
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is a social assistance scheme for elderly persons from poor households. It is part of the National Social Assistance Programme
- National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was launched in 1995 as a centrally sponsored social welfare programme. It provides non-contributory social assistance to poor and vulnerable groups.
- NSAP is linked to Directive Principles of State Policy, especially social security and public assistance in cases of old age, widowhood and disability.
- Major schemes under NSAP include IGNOAPS, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, National Family Benefit Scheme and Annapurna Scheme.
- The issue highlights social justice, ageing population, welfare delivery, Centre-State responsibility and inflation-indexed benefits.
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IGNOAPS Reform and India’s Ageing Welfare Challenge