UP widow pension stays at Rs 1,000 a month, Rs 1,500 proposal awaits Cabinet approval

Eligible widows in Uttar Pradesh get Rs 1,000 a month, paid directly into their bank accounts, under the Niradhar Mahila Pension scheme, also known as the Vidhwa Pension. Media reports in October 2026 said the state government was considering raising this to Rs 1,500 a month for the old age pension, destitute women and disability pension schemes.

A woman qualifies if she is a permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh, her annual income including family income from all sources is not more than Rs 2 lakh, and she does not get a pension under any other state or central government scheme.

Apply online on the UP social security pension portal. Keep an income certificate, Aadhaar details, bank account information and her husband's death certificate ready.

The reports put the number of people getting these three pensions at more than 1.21 crore. The increase needs Cabinet approval and implementation orders, so until an official order comes the widow pension stays at Rs 1,000 a month.