AI SummaryDestitute / Deserted Wives Pension Scheme is a social welfare scheme by the Tamil Nadu government that pays a monthly pension of ₹1,000 to women deserted or divorced by their husbands. Eligible women aged 30 years and above who are destitute get this cash support under the scheme, and the application window stays open all through the year through the Tamil Nadu e-District / e-Sevai portal and Common Service Centres.
Destitute/Deserted Wives Pension Scheme helps women who face money problems after separation or abandonment. Launched by the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department of Tamil Nadu with the Revenue Department, this scheme gives a monthly pension of ₹1,000 to destitute or deserted wives. The amount is sent through direct benefit transfer (DBT) into the Aadhaar linked bank account of the eligible woman.
Beyond the cash support, this scheme also covers daily needs. Eligible women get one saree during Pongal and Deepavali festivals, and nutritional support through local Anganwadi Centres in the form of free rice.
Destitute-Deserted Wives Pension Scheme - Introduction
The scheme is still running in 2026 under the name Destitute / Deserted Wives Pension Scheme, known as DDWPS. Applications are taken by the Revenue Department under service code REV-203 on the Tamil Nadu e-District portal. A service fee of ₹10 is charged while submitting the application.
The pension amount is ₹1,000 per month. Festival benefits include one saree during Pongal and Deepavali, which is arranged by the Social Welfare department. Free rice is given through the Anganwadi network, so the scheme takes care of both cash and food needs.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Destitute / Deserted Wives Pension Scheme (DDWPS) |
| Level | State |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Category | Social welfare and Empowerment, Women and Child |
| Pension Amount | ₹1,000 per month |
| Main Departments | Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, Revenue Department |
| Application Mode | Online through e-District / e-Sevai portal or Common Service Centre |
| Official Portal | tnedistrict.tn.gov.in |
Benefits
Eligible women get several benefits under this scheme for daily support:
| Benefit Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Pension | ₹1,000 per month paid through DBT |
| Festival Support | One saree during Pongal and Deepavali |
| Nutritious Meals Support | 2 kg of free rice per month when meals are taken at Anganwadi |
| Food Security | 4 kg of free rice per month when meals are not taken at Anganwadi |
Eligibility
To qualify for this support, an applicant should meet the following conditions:
- Applicant should be legally divorced or deserted by her husband for more than 5 years. A court order copy is required to prove the legal separation.
- Applicant should be a destitute woman without regular financial support, and should belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family.
- Applicant should be 30 years of age or older when applying.
- Applicant should not have remarried. A not-remarried certificate or self-declaration is required.
- Total fixed assets of the applicant should not exceed ₹1,00,000.
Other important conditions include holding a valid Citizen Access Number (CAN) on the e-District portal and an Aadhaar linked bank account for receiving the pension amount. Documents required for the application are listed below. A recent passport size photo, Aadhaar Card, Aadhaar Consent Form, Smart Ration Card or address proof, court order copy of legal separation, self declaration of the applicant, any identity proof such as Voter ID, Passport, PAN Card or Driving License, and bank passbook are required while filling the form. The documents must be within the file size limits, and supported formats are PDF, JPEG, JPG and PNG.
Application Process
Application for this scheme is done online through the Tamil Nadu e-District portal at Tamil Nadu e-District Portal. The application can be submitted directly with the help of an e-Sevai operator or through the nearest Common Service Center where the operator completes the biometric verification and form filling.
STEP 1 - Visit the Tamil Nadu e-District portal at tnedistrict.tn.gov.in and log in as an operator, or go to the nearest Common Service Centre / e-Sevai centre with all the required documents.
STEP 2 - Register for a CAN (Citizen Access Number) if the applicant does not have one. OTP verification is done during CAN registration and the CAN number is shown on screen.
STEP 3 - Open Revenue Department services and select REV-203, Destitute Deserted Wives Pension Scheme (DDWPS). Fill in the applicant details, address, bank or postal details, marriage and deserted date, and the details of family income and property.
STEP 4 - Upload the required documents, make the payment of ₹10 service fee and confirm the payment.
STEP 5 - Download and print the acknowledgement receipt, which carries the application number. Use this number under the Check Status section to track the application, and download the digitally signed pension approval certificate once it is approved.
References
For official details, these links can be referred to:
- Tamil Nadu e-District Portal for DDWPS application
- Official DDWPS Application User Manual (PDF)
- Widow and Destitute Welfare Board, Tamil Nadu
FAQ's
Do I need to visit the government office to apply?
No, the application is submitted online through the Tamil Nadu e-District portal. Applicants who need help can go to the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) where the operator completes the process.
What is the amount of the monthly pension?
Eligible women receive a monthly pension of ₹1,000 under this scheme through direct benefit transfer.
Do I get the free saree and rice every month?
Sarees are given during Pongal and Deepavali festivals. Free rice from Anganwadi centres depends on whether the applicant takes part in the nutritious meal program.
I am 28 years old and destitute. Am I eligible?
No, the minimum age requirement is 30 years, so an applicant aged 28 years is not eligible yet.
My husband left me 5 years ago, but I have savings of ₹1.5 lakh. Can I apply?
Total fixed assets should not exceed ₹1,00,000. Savings of ₹1.5 lakh would cross this limit, so the application may not be approved. The deserted period of more than 5 years also needs to be proved with a court order.
Can I track the status of my application?
Yes, the application number on the acknowledgement receipt can be used under the Check Status section of the e-District portal. The CSC or the local Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department officer can also help.
How is the free rice distributed at Anganwadi Centres?
Applicants who take nutritious meals at the Anganwadi centre receive 2 kg of rice per month. Those who do not avail of these meals are entitled to 4 kg of rice per month.
Is there any age restriction?
Yes, the applicant must be 30 years of age or older to receive benefits under this scheme.
What is the importance of the abandonment certificate?
This certificate or the court order copy proves that the applicant is legally divorced or has been deserted for more than 5 years, which is a core requirement of this scheme.
How often is the pension paid?
The pension of ₹1,000 is paid every month to the registered bank account of the applicant.
What are the fixed asset guidelines?
Total fixed assets of the applicant should remain within the limit of ₹1,00,000 to keep the eligibility valid.
Which portal is used for the DDWPS application?
The application is submitted on the Tamil Nadu e-District portal at tnedistrict.tn.gov.in under service code REV-203.