AI SummaryIndira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme supports destitute widows aged 40 and above from below poverty line households by providing a monthly pension of ₹1,000, and eligible widows aged 80 and above get ₹1,500 each month. The scheme also gives free sarees during festivals and free rice through Anganwadi centers, which helps these women live with dignity.
Update (17 October 2026): Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) has a new name: Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana. Union Cabinet approved the change on 14 October 2026 and also continued the National Social Assistance Programme, now called Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with ₹53,428 crore. Only the name has changed for widow pension. Eligibility, pension amount, documents and the way to apply stay the same, and existing pensioners keep getting their pension as before.
Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment, Government of Tamil Nadu runs this scheme with support from the central Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS). The state portion covers destitute widows, while the central part applies to widows between 40 and 79 years whose family income falls below the poverty line. Applications and renewals go through the e-Sevai centre or the Taluk Social Welfare Office, and the pension reaches an Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme - Introduction
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme acts as a crucial support system for widows in Tamil Nadu who are left without adequate support. This scheme assists destitute widows who are 40 years of age or older and belong to households living below the poverty line. By providing a monthly pension of ₹1,000, along with essential supplies like free sarees during festivals and nutritious rice through Anganwadi centers, this scheme helps at-risk women lead a life of dignity.
The pension amount rises to ₹1,500 per month once a beneficiary turns 80 years old. Around 14 lakh widows across the state currently receive this pension, and receiving it requires staying unmarried. The annual family income of the applicant should stay below ₹1.2 lakh to remain eligible.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Tamil Nadu |
| Category | Social welfare & Empowerment, Women and Child |
| Target Beneficiaries | Destitute widows |
| Benefits | Monthly pension, free sarees, and food security |
| Nodal Department | Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment |
Benefits
This scheme provides comprehensive support to eligible widows:
Financial Assistance: Eligible widows receive a monthly pension of ₹1,000, and widows aged 80 and above receive ₹1,500 each month.
Festival Support: Beneficiaries receive one free saree during the Pongal and Deepavali festivals.
Nutritional Assistance: Depending on participation in meal programs, beneficiaries receive free rice from Anganwadi centers:
| Condition | Rice Allocation |
| Taking nutritious meals | 2kg per month |
| Not taking nutritious meals | 4kg per month |
Eligibility
To benefit from this scheme, applicants should meet the following requirements:
Widow status: The applicant must hold the status of a widow and must not have remarried.
Destitute condition: The applicant must be in a destitute financial state with no sufficient regular means of subsistence.
BPL category: The household must fall under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
Age limit: The applicant must be 40 years of age or older for the central component, while the state component covers widows from 18 years upward.
Income limit: The annual family income should stay below ₹1.2 lakh.
Application Process
Applicants should follow these steps to apply for this beneficial scheme:
STEP 1 - Gather all the required documents, including the husband's death certificate, Aadhaar card, income certificate, bank passbook and recent photograph.
STEP 2 - Visit the nearest Common Service Center (CSC) or the e-Sevai centre or Taluk Social Welfare Office to complete the biometric verification.
STEP 3 - Fill out the official application form with accurate details and upload copies of all mandated documents, including the husband's death certificate and income proof.
STEP 4 - Submit the form to the Village Administrative Officer for field verification of the destitute status, after which the Tahsildar approves and the District Social Welfare Officer sanctions the pension.
STEP 5 - Collect the submission receipt or acknowledgment from the official. Always keep this document safe, as it contains the application reference details and submission date.
Documents
Applicants should keep the following documents ready for the application:
- Applicant's recent photograph
- Aadhaar card
- Valid proof of age
- Husband's death certificate
- Annual income certificate showing income below ₹1.2 lakh
- Marriage certificate or sworn affidavit confirming the marriage
- Bank passbook in the widow's name
- BPL card number
References
Applicants may refer to the following official resources for more information:
FAQ's
Is the pension amount credited directly to my bank account?
Yes, the government deposits the pension amount directly into your Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT payment. You should provide accurate bank details during the application process.
Can I collect free rice even if I do not eat at the Anganwadi center?
Certainly, you remain eligible to receive 4kg of free rice per month if you do not participate in their daily meal programs.
What if my free saree gets damaged?
The scheme does not currently offer a replacement policy for lost or damaged sarees.
Can I appoint someone else to collect the rice for me?
Yes, if you are physically unable to visit the center, you can authorize a trusted family member to collect the rice on your behalf by fulfilling the necessary authorization requirements at the Anganwadi center.
Will I lose my benefits if I remarry?
Yes, this scheme is specifically intended for widows facing financial hardship. Remarrying would disqualify you from continued support.
Is there a time limit for these benefits?
As long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria and remain a widow, you are entitled to receive these benefits consistently. You need to submit an annual life certificate and a continuing unmarried affidavit between November and December to keep the pension going.
I am a differently-abled widow, are there extra provisions?
You may find out about additional state programs made for differently-abled individuals by consulting with your local Social Welfare Department office.