Union Territory of Lakshadweep Pension Scheme for Abandoned Ladies or Destitute

Union Territory of Lakshadweep Pension Scheme for Abandoned Ladies or Destitute gives a monthly pension of ₹1,500 to women in Lakshadweep who are divorced, abandoned, or destitute and do not have a proper income source. Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs Department runs this welfare scheme for eligible women and transfers the pension directly to their bank accounts every month.

District Panchayat and Village (Dweep) Panchayats handle the rollout of the scheme across the islands. The full amount reaches the beneficiary through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), so the payment stays clear and reaches the right person on time.

Union Territory of Lakshadweep Pension Scheme for Abandoned Ladies or Destitute - Introduction

The scheme supports women who face abandonment or divorce and have no steady means of earning. It gives them a regular monthly income so they can manage basic needs like food, health, and clothing without depending on others.

As per the department website, UTL State Pension Scheme covers old age persons, widows, abandoned people, and persons with disabilities. As of May 2025, 3,481 beneficiaries were getting this monthly pension across these categories.

Key Information

Benefits

Financial Support

Eligible women get a monthly pension of ₹1,500, which comes to ₹18,000 in a full year. This fixed income helps cover regular household and personal expenses.

Payment Details

The department pays the pension through DBT into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary. Payments happen every month, and the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) is used to prepare the pension list, which keeps the process clear and on time.

Eligibility

To qualify for the pension, the applicant needs to meet these conditions:

1. She should be a permanent resident of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
2. She should belong to the divorced, abandoned, or destitute category.
3. She should not have remarried after divorce or abandonment.
4. Her monthly income should not be more than ₹1,500 (annual income not above ₹18,000).
5. She should not already be getting benefit from any similar government pension scheme.

Exclusions

Women who have remarried after divorce or abandonment cannot get this pension. Women whose income crosses the limit or who already receive a similar government pension are also not eligible. Giving false information can lead to rejection of the application and recovery of the benefit already paid.

Application Process

Union Territory of Lakshadweep Pension Scheme for Abandoned Ladies or Destitute is an offline scheme. Applications are submitted at the Village (Dweep) Panchayat office of the applicant's island. Steps to apply are given below.

STEP 1 - Visit the local Village (Dweep) Panchayat office and collect the official application form.

STEP 2 - Fill in personal details like name, address, marital status, income, and bank account information.

STEP 3 - Attach all required supporting documents with the filled form.

STEP 4 - Submit the completed application to the Executive Officer at the Village (Dweep) Panchayat office.

STEP 5 - The Evaluation Committee of the Village (Dweep) Panchayat checks and verifies the details given in the form.

STEP 6 - After verification, the application goes to the Chief Executive Officer at the District Panchayat headquarters in Kavaratti for further processing.

STEP 7 - District Panchayat officials do a second re-check of the application as per the scheme rules.

STEP 8 - On final approval, the name of the beneficiary is added to the pension list through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

STEP 9 - The Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs Department processes the payment, and the pension is credited directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary.

Documents

Keep these documents ready before applying:

1. Proof of Identity such as Aadhaar card or voter ID.
2. Proof of Residence to show permanent residency in Lakshadweep.
3. Proof of Marital Status such as divorce decree or certificate showing abandonment or destitute status.
4. Current Income Certificate to show income within the limit.
5. Bank account passbook details for DBT payment.
6. Self-Declaration form about the information given.
7. Other documents asked by the department during verification.

References

Official Website of Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs Department, Lakshadweep

Official Guidelines PDF for Pension Scheme

FAQ's

Can a remarried woman get this pension scheme?

No, this pension is only for women who have not remarried after divorce or abandonment.

Will the pension be transferred directly to the bank account?

Yes, the government uses DBT mode for all payments and the amount goes to the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary.

What happens if the applicant's income increases after getting the pension?

If income crosses the limit set by the scheme, the beneficiary becomes ineligible for further payments.

Can a separated woman who is not legally divorced apply?

No, the scheme is for divorced, abandoned, or destitute women as per the official criteria.

What if the beneficiary moves out of Lakshadweep?

The scheme is for permanent residents of Lakshadweep, so moving away may affect eligibility.

Will the pension continue if the beneficiary gets a job?

If the new income is above ₹1,500 per month, the beneficiary may lose eligibility for the pension.

How often is the pension paid?

The pension is paid every month through DBT.

What happens if an applicant gives false information?

False information can lead to rejection of the application, cancellation of benefits, and recovery of the amount already paid.

How can an applicant apply for the scheme?

The application form can be collected from the nearest Village (Dweep) Panchayat office and submitted there with the required documents.

Where can an applicant get more help?

Applicants can visit the nearest Village (Dweep) Panchayat office or contact the Directorate of Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs in Kavaratti for guidance.