How to Check Old Age Pension Status?

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Check Old Age Pension Status?

Learn how to check old age pension status online, including NPS tracking steps and payment verification guidance

Written by : Knowledge Centre Team

2026-07-29

1056 Views

7 minutes read

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Retirement is when you can finally relax and unwind after years of hard labour. However, a comfortable life after retirement requires careful financial planning. Early and systematic financial preparation can help ensure a consistent income in old age and support a pleasant life. One important element of financial planning is the old age pension. 

While traditional old age pension schemes in India are largely administered by state governments and may vary in structure and benefits, there are also nationally regulated pension systems designed to provide structured retirement income.

An old age pension will give your family a constant sense of security. Buying an old-age pension plan can help you save enough for retirement and ensure your family's financial stability. If you have already invested in a national pension plan such as the National Pension System (NPS), which is regulated at the central level, checking its status is easier now with online access and readily available information.

In this blog, we will briefly discuss how state-run pension schemes function, then focus on the National Pension System (NPS), including how to apply and check your pension status online.

Key Takeaways 

  • The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), a central government scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), provides monthly pension support to eligible senior citizens and is implemented by state governments

  • The National Pension System (NPS) is a regulated, contribution-based retirement savings scheme available to eligible Indian citizens

  • State pension eligibility and benefits vary, while NPS follows uniform national guidelines under PFRDA

  • Beneficiaries can check their pension status online via state-specific portals and through the NSAP portal (nsap.nic.in) for IGNOAPS beneficiaries, making the process more transparent and accessible

  • Regular status checks help ensure timely disbursement and resolve any payment-related issues early

What is an Old Age Pension?

An old age pension is a regular, recuring financial payment provided to senior citizens, typically funded by the government, to support them after their retirement. With an old age pension plan, you can invest a portion of your savings for a predetermined period of time. It also aids in developing a corpus during retirement. In India, the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), launched in 2007 under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) by the Ministry of Rural Development, is a central government initiative that provides monthly pension support to eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) senior citizens, primarily to ensure basic income support.

Apart from these government-run pensions, individuals can also opt for structured retirement savings schemes at the national level. One such option is the National Pension Scheme (NPS), which commenced on 1 January 2004 and is overseen by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) under the central government. It is the preferred option for most Indians.

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How Does an Old Age Pension Work?

Unlike contribution-based plans, IGNOAPS is a non-contributory pension scheme, meaning eligible senior citizens do not need to contribute any amount to receive the pension. Under IGNOAPS, eligible senior citizens receive a fixed amount of financial assistance from the government. However, under structured national pension systems such as the National Pension System (NPS), individuals contribute during their working years to accumulate retirement savings. The PFRDA managers subsequently allocate these funds to shares, debentures, and government bonds.

Investment Options Under the National Pension System (NPS)

When investing in the National Pension System (NPS), you have the flexibility to choose how your savings are managed based on your risk appetite. There are two primary investment choices available:

1. Auto Choice (Lifecycle Fund):

If you prefer a hands-off approach, the Auto Choice option automatically manages your asset allocation. Your money is invested based on your age, gradually shifting from higher-risk assets to safer options as you grow older. You can choose from three distinct strategies:

  • Aggressive Life Cycle Fund (LC75): Caps equity exposure at 75%, making it ideal for investors seeking higher growth who are comfortable with market volatility.

  • Moderate Life Cycle Fund (LC50): The default option, which caps equity exposure at 50% to maintain a balanced risk-reward profile.

  • Conservative Life Cycle Fund (LC25): Caps equity exposure at 25%, prioritising capital preservation and steady returns.

2. Active Choice:

If you prefer a hands-on approach, the Active Choice option allows you to dynamically decide exactly how to distribute your investments across four asset classes:

  • Asset Class E (Equity): Invests in equity market instruments (stocks) for high growth potential.

  • Asset Class C (Corporate Debt): Invests in fixed-income instruments, excluding government securities (such as corporate bonds).

  • Asset Class G (Government Securities): Invests in central and state government bonds, offering the highest security.

  • Asset Class A (Alternative Investments): Invests in alternative instruments like REITS, InvITs, and startup funds (capped at a maximum of 5%).

You can invest in any type of financial instrument in the C or G asset classes, up to 75% for private-sector subscribers (subject to age-based tapering), while Asset Class A is capped at 5%. Allocation limits may vary depending on subscriber category and age. 

Now that you know how contributions are invested under NPS, let us see how it is calculated: 

Formula for NPS Calculation:

While NPS returns are market-linked and not guaranteed, a commonly used formula to estimate maturity value is:

Maturity value (MV) = P x (1 + R/N) ^ NT

Where,

P = Principal invested,

R = Assumed rate of return or the expected rate of return,

N = The Number of times the growth rate compounds, and

T = The Tenure of the investment

Who Can Apply For an Old Age Pension?

IGNOAPS requires applicants to be aged 60 years or above, belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) household as per criteria prescribed by the Government of India, and must not have a regular source of financial support from family members or any other sources.

In contrast, under the National Pension Scheme, people in all corporate and government sectors aged 18 to 70 years are eligible. This will help you to secure your future post-retirement through systematic contributions.

How to Apply For an Old Age Pension?

The application process differs depending on whether you are applying for IGNOAPS or enrolling in NPS.

Here is a comprehensive, step-by-step instruction to apply for IGNOAPS:

  • Visit the Social Welfare Department in urban areas or the District Social Welfare Officer in rural areas to obtain the application form

  • Complete the application form with all necessary information

  • The form may include the address proofs such as State, District, and Block details; panchayat name, beneficiary and heirs, and house number 

  • Provide further identification proofs like gender, age and date of birth, details of the birth certificate 

  • You may also be required to provide your annual income and domicile certificate, and the EPIC number (voter ID number)

  • Submit the completed application form along with the required documents, including applicant photo, ration card, BPL card, identity and address proof, age certificate, income certificate, and bank account details, to the Social Welfare Department (urban areas) or District Social Welfare Officer (rural areas)

Note the application number for future reference

  • The concerned officers will check the application, and the Gram Panchayat or municipality will prepare the final beneficiary list

Step-By-Step Steps For NPS Application/Enrolment:

To apply for the NPS scheme, you can:

  • Visit the official eNPS portal

  • Select “Open NPS Account”

  • Register yourself and log in 

  • Complete KYC using Aadhaar or through your bank (PoP)

  • Fill in personal details and choose a Tier I (mandatory) account

  • Submit the form and receive your PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number)

Further, let us understand how to check your old age pension application status

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Did You Know?

In 2024, Uttar Pradesh provided ₹1,000 monthly pensions to over 56 lakh senior citizens, marking a significant increase in support for the elderly.


Source: TOI

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How to Check Old Age Pension Status Online?

The process to check pension status depends on whether you are enrolled in an IGNOAPS under the NSAP or the National Pension System (NPS). 

  • Check IGNOAPS Pension Status Online: You can follow these easy steps to get detailed information on old age pension tracking:

    1. Visit the official NSAP website at nsap.nic.in
    2. Click on the 'Report' option on the homepage
    3. Click on the 'Application Tracker' option under the 'Beneficiary Search, Track and Payment Details' tab
    4. Enter your Application Number and Captcha Code, then click 'Submit'
    5. Click on the search button to view the status of your pension application or payment details

  • Check IGNOAPS Pension Payment Details Online: To specifically verify pension payment details under IGNOAPS:

    1. Visit the official NSAP website at nsap.nic.in
    2. Click on the 'Report' option on the homepage
    3. Click on the 'Pension Payment Details' option under the 'Beneficiary Search, Track and Payment Details' tab
    4. Select the 'Sanction Order No/Application No' option
    5. Enter your Sanction Order/Application Number and Code, then click 'Submit'
    6. Your pension payment details will be displayed

  • Check National Pension System (NPS) Online: You can follow these easy steps to get detailed information on NPS tracking:

    1. Visit the official CRA (Central Recordkeeping Agency) portal for NPS (Protean/NSDL or KFintech, as applicable)
    2. Enter the Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) and password to log in
    3. Click on the search button. 
    4. You will get the details of your pension corpus, contribution details, and current valuation online

For further information, head to the PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) official website.

Tax Benefits Available Under NPS (National Pension System)

Under Section 124 of the Income Tax Act, 2025 (previously referred to as Section 80CCD(1) of the Income Tax Act of 1961), contributions made towards the National Pension Scheme are eligible for a tax benefit. In addition, there exist further parts of the Income Tax Act, namely Section 124(3) (previously 80CCD(1B)) and Section 124 (previously 80CCDD(2)), that grant further tax benefits.

  1. Employee tax benefits on self-contribution:

    • Tax deduction under Section 124 (previously 80 CCD(1)) of up to 10% of pay (Basic + DA), with a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh total under Section 80 CCE.

    • Tax deduction up to ₹50,000 under Section 80 CCD(1B), in addition to the ₹1.5 lakh total cap under Section 123 (previously 80 CCE).

  2. Tax benefits on employer contributions:

    • Allowed as a deduction under Section 124 (previously Section 80 CCD(2)) up to 10% of salary (Basic + DA) (14% if the Central Government makes such a contribution) over the ₹1.5 lakh cap stipulated under Section 123 (previously Section 80 CCE).

  3. Tax benefits for self-employed individuals:

    • Tax deduction of up to 20% of their gross income under Section 124 (80 CCD (1), with an aggregate threshold of ₹1.50 lakh under Section 123 ( previously Section 80 CCE).

    • Tax deduction up to ₹50,000 under Section 123 (previously called Section 80 CCD(1B)), in addition to the ₹1.5 lakh under Section 80 CCE.

  4. Tax benefits on partial withdrawal from the NPS account:

    • Eligible for tax exemption on the amount withdrawn up to 25% of the self-contribution, however, subject to the restrictions and limitations that the PFRDA may specify under Schedule II of the Income Tax Act, 2025 (previously referred to as Section 10(12B) of the Income Tax Act, 1961).

  5. Tax benefits on purchasing an Annuity:

    • Eligible for tax exemption on purchase of annuity upon reaching the age of 60 or superannuation under Section 124(3) (previously Section 80CCD(5)). However, Section 124 (previously Section 80CCD(3)) imposes taxes on any subsequent annuity income received.

  6. Tax benefits on lump sum withdrawal:

    • Eligible for tax exemption on lump sum withdrawal of 60% of accumulated pension wealth upon reaching the age of 60 or superannuation under Schedule II of the Income Tax Act, 2025 (previously Section 10(12A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961).

  7. Tax benefits to Corporations/Employers: 

    • Eligible for tax deduction on the amount contributed as the employer's contribution towards the NPS account of employees, up to 10% of the salary (Basic + DA) of the employer's contribution, named under 'Business Expense' from the Profit & Loss Account under section 36(1)(iv)(a).

Conclusion

A critical first step in guaranteeing the stability and security of your finances during your retirement years is keeping an eye on the status of your pension account, whether under an IGNOAPS (Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme), the NSAP or the National Pension System (NPS). You can make sure you get the assistance you need by staying up to date on the status of your pension application or NPS contributions by following the detailed guidance provided in the guide. Always check your pension status regularly, whether through the NSAP portal (nsap.nic.in) for IGNOAPS beneficiaries or through the CRA portal for NPS subscribers, and if you notice any problems or inconsistencies, contact the appropriate authorities or CRA support services.

Glossary

  1. National Pension System (NPS): A voluntary, government-regulated retirement savings scheme for Indian citizens
  2. PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority): The regulatory body overseeing NPS and pension fund operations in India
  3. IGNPOAPS: A central government scheme providing a monthly pension to BPL senior citizens aged 60+ under the NSAP
  4. Beneficiary: A person who receives benefits or payments from a government scheme or insurance policy
  5. PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number): A unique 12-digit number allotted to each NPS subscriber for account tracking
Glossary book
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FAQs

You can check your IGNOAPS old age pension status using Aadhaar through the official NSAP portal (nsap.nic.in) or your respective State Government pension portal. Beneficiaries can:

 

  • Visit the NSAP portal (nsap.nic.in) or the official State Social Welfare or Pension website

  • Select the “Track Application” or “Check Pension Status” option

  • Enter your Aadhaar number or registered beneficiary ID

  • Submit the details to view your application or payment status

For IGNOAPS beneficiaries: 

 

  1. Visit the NSAP portal (nsap.nic.in) or your respective State Government Pension or Social Welfare portal

  2. Log in using your Aadhaar number, beneficiary ID, or registered credentials (as required by the portal)

  3. Go to the “Payment Details” or “Pension Statement” section

  4. Select the relevant month or financial year

  5. Download or print the pension payslip if the option is available

 

Note: Not all state portals provide downloadable payslips. Some only display payment status.

 

For National Pension System (NPS) subscribers

  1. Visit the official CRA (Protean/NSDL or KFintech) portal

  2. Log in using your PRAN and password

  3. Go to the “Transaction Statement” or “Holding Statement” section

  4. Download the account statement showing contributions and the current corpus value

 

NPS does not issue a traditional “payslip” like government pension schemes. Instead, you can download your transaction or holding statement.

To verify your IGNOAPS old age pension payment status, follow these steps:

 

  1. Visit the NSAP portal (nsap.nic.in) or your respective State Government’s Social Welfare or Pension portal

  2. Click on the "Pension Payment Details" or “Beneficiary Status” option

  3. Enter details such as your Aadhaar number, application number, or beneficiary ID

  4. Submit the information to view your latest payment details and transaction history

 

The NSAP portal displays payment details, including the credited amount, transfer date, and bank details. Most state portals offer similar information.

Yes, you can check the status of your old age pension online without visiting an office. The NSAP portal (nsap.nic.in) allows IGNOAPS beneficiaries to track the status of their applications or payments using their application number. Most state government portals also offer similar tracking using Aadhaar numbers, beneficiary IDs, or application numbers. If you are an NPS subscriber, you can log in to the official CRA portal using your PRAN to check your pension account details online.

You can do an old age pension status check by mobile number through the NSAP portal (nsap.nic.in). Navigate to the 'Reports' section, select 'Pension Payment Details' under the Beneficiary Search tab, and choose 'Mobile Number' as your search option. You can also use the SAMBAL mobile app or the UMANG portal to check your old pension status and payment history on the go.

The primary old age pension scheme in India is the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), a central government initiative under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). To be eligible, applicants must:

 

  1. Be 60 years of age or above

  2. Belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) household

  3. Have no regular source of income or financial support

 

Additionally, Indian citizens aged 18-70 can enrol in the National Pension System (NPS), a contribution-based retirement savings scheme regulated by PFRDA.

Your old age pension may have stopped due to incomplete Aadhaar seeding, a change in bank account details, a lapsed life certificate, or an error in beneficiary verification. To restart it, visit your local Social Welfare Department or Gram Panchayat office with your Aadhaar card, bank passbook, and beneficiary ID to resolve the issue. You can also check old age pension status online via the NSAP portal (nsap.nic.in) or do an old age pension status check by Aadhaar card to identify any payment discrepancies before visiting an office.

Yes, you can apply for IGNOAPS offline. Here's where to go based on your location:

 

  • Rural applicants: Visit your local District Social Welfare Officer or Gram Panchayat office

  • Urban applicants: Visit the Social Welfare Department in your city or town

  • Carry documents including your Aadhaar card, BPL card, age certificate, income certificate, bank account details, and a passport-size photograph

  • Note your application number after submission to check your old age pension status online, or do an old age pension status check by Aadhaar card on the NSAP portal later

Disclaimer - This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited or any affiliated entity. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the blog or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances before taking any action based on the content provided herein.

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