Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
अटल पेंशन योजना
Atal Pension Yojana gives subscribers a central-government-guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 from the age of 60, in return for regular contributions made from the age they join until 60.
Researched by Mirza Seraj BaigFacts last checked against official sources on 7 September 2026- What you get
- A Government of India guaranteed minimum pension of ₹1,000, ₹2,000, ₹3,000, ₹4,000 or ₹5,000 per month from the age of 60 until death. After the subscriber dies, the spouse receives the same pension amount until their own death.
- Who it is for
- Indian citizens aged 18 to 40 with a savings bank account or post office savings account — the scheme is aimed particularly at workers in the unorganised sector.
- Implemented by
- Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), Ministry of Finance
- Coverage
- Central scheme — available across India
- Official portal
- pfrda.org.in/schemes/atal-pension-yojana-apy ↗
- Helpline
- 1800 1100 69 (PFRDA Atal Pension Yojana help desk, toll free)
Who is eligible
- You must be an Indian citizen aged between 18 and 40 years.
- You must have a savings bank account or a post office savings bank account.
- From 1 October 2022, anyone who is or has been an income tax payer is not eligible to join.
- You must contribute continuously from the age you join until you turn 60.
Who is not eligible
These exclusions are as important as the eligibility rules — an application that falls into any of the categories below will be rejected or the benefit later recovered.
- Anyone who is, or has been, an income tax payer — this bar applies from 1 October 2022.
- Anyone below 18 or above 40 years of age at the time of joining.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Savings bank account or post office savings account details
- Mobile number for registration and alerts
- Nominee details
How to apply for APY
Approach your bank or post office
Go to the branch where you hold your savings account, or use your bank internet banking or mobile app if it offers APY enrolment.
Fill in the APY registration form
Give your Aadhaar number, mobile number, nominee details and the pension amount you want — ₹1,000, ₹2,000, ₹3,000, ₹4,000 or ₹5,000 a month.
Authorise auto-debit
Give consent for the contribution to be auto-debited from your savings account. You can choose a monthly, quarterly or half-yearly frequency.
Keep the account funded
Your contribution amount depends on the age you join and the pension you choose — joining younger means a smaller contribution. Keep enough balance in the account on the auto-debit date to avoid penalties.
Frequently asked questions
How much pension does Atal Pension Yojana pay?
Each subscriber receives a central government guaranteed minimum pension of ₹1,000, ₹2,000, ₹3,000, ₹4,000 or ₹5,000 per month after the age of 60, until death.
What is the age limit to join APY?
The scheme is open to Indian citizens between 18 and 40 years of age who hold a savings bank account or post office savings bank account.
Can an income tax payer join Atal Pension Yojana?
No. From 1 October 2022, any citizen who is or has been an income tax payer is not eligible to join APY.
What happens to the pension after the subscriber dies?
The spouse of the subscriber is entitled to receive the same pension amount as the subscriber, until the death of the spouse.
How much do I have to contribute each month?
The contribution depends on the age at which you join and the pension amount you choose. The younger you are when you join, the smaller the monthly contribution for the same pension. Contributions are auto-debited monthly, quarterly or half-yearly until you turn 60.
Is there a helpline for Atal Pension Yojana?
Yes. PFRDA runs a toll-free Atal Pension Yojana help desk on 1800 1100 69.
Applying from your state
APY is a central scheme, so it is open in every state and union territory. Verification, and the state-issued documents you may be asked for, differ by state.
Related schemes
e-Shram
e-Shram registers unorganised workers aged 16 to 59 on a national database and issues a Universal Account Number card, which is used as a single entry point to a set of central social security schemes.
SSY
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a small savings account for a girl child that currently earns 8.2% a year, compounded annually, with deposits qualifying for a deduction under Section 80C.