Uttar Pradesh government now pays sadhus and saints aged 60 years or above a monthly pension under the state's Old Age Pension Scheme, run through the Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana (SSPY UP) portal. Registration is open at sspy-up.gov.in, and the pension amount stands at ₹1000 per month, credited to bank accounts every quarter through direct benefit transfer.
Scheme started in 2019 under CM Yogi Adityanath as a separate UP Sadhu Pension Yojana that paid ₹500 a month, announced during the Prayagraj Kumbh mela. That standalone scheme has since merged into the wider Old Age Pension Scheme (Vridha Pension). So sadhus, sants and other senior citizens above 60 years now apply through one common portal and get the same monthly benefit, which the state has since raised to ₹1000.
UP Sadhu Pension Yojana 2026 - Registration and Online Application
Saints and sadhus who want to apply for this pension need to register on the Integrated Social Pension Portal (sspy-up.gov.in) under the Old Age Pension Scheme category. The process is fully online, and applications can also be submitted through district social welfare offices for sadhus who need help with the digital form.
STEP 1 - Open the official website sspy-up.gov.in and click on the Old Age Pension Scheme (Vridha Pension) link on the homepage. STEP 2 - Click on the "Apply Online" or registration option and fill in basic details such as name, age, address, mohalla, gram panchayat, block, tehsil and district. STEP 3 - Enter Aadhaar number, bank account details and upload the required documents including a passport size photo and age or domicile proof. STEP 4 - Tick the declaration box confirming the details are correct, then click Submit and save the printout of the acknowledgment for future reference.
Sadhus who do not have a fixed home address can use their math, ashram or temple address as residence proof. District social welfare offices also organise camps from time to time to help wandering and homeless sadhus complete their registration and Aadhaar linking.
Documents Required for Sadhu Pension Application
Before applying, keep the following documents ready in scanned or photo format, since the online form requires uploads at the time of registration.
- Aadhaar card of the applicant, used to verify identity and link the bank account for DBT payment.
- Age proof or domicile certificate showing the applicant is 60 years or above and a permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh.
- Bank passbook copy with account number and IFSC code, needed since pension money is sent directly through DBT.
- Recent passport size photo and an income certificate confirming the applicant does not cross the income limit for the scheme.
Eligibility Criteria for Saints and Senior Citizens
Sadhus and other citizens applying under this pension category must meet a few basic conditions set by the Social Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh. Applicant should be a permanent resident of the state, aged 60 years or above, and should not already be getting benefit from any other pension scheme run by the state or central government. Annual income should not cross ₹46,080 for those in rural areas and ₹56,460 for those in urban areas.
Family members of applicants running short of income proof, particularly wandering sadhus without settled property, can get a certificate from the math or ashram they are associated with, or from the local gram panchayat or municipal office.
Pension Amount and Payment Schedule 2026
Old Age Pension Scheme, which now covers sadhus, currently gives ₹1000 per month, paid out once every quarter as ₹3000 directly into the Aadhaar linked bank account. For the January to March 2026 quarter, the amount was scheduled to reach accounts between 15 and 30 March 2026. Uttar Pradesh has proposed a budget of ₹8,105 crore for old age pension in 2025-26, up from ₹7,377 crore earlier, which points to wider coverage for eligible senior citizens including saints.
Highlights of UP Sadhu Pension Yojana
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | UP Sadhu Pension Yojana (now part of Old Age Pension Scheme) |
| Launched By | Uttar Pradesh Government under CM Yogi Adityanath, 2019 |
| Beneficiaries | Sadhus, saints and senior citizens aged 60 years and above |
| Pension Amount | ₹1000 per month, paid quarterly as ₹3000 |
| Application Mode | Online through SSPY UP portal |
| Official Website | sspy-up.gov.in |
Background of Sadhu Pension Announcement
Yogi Adityanath government had first announced pension for sadhus at a meeting held during Prayagraj Kumbh, covering homeless and nomadic sadhus along with a separate category for elderly saints. Former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav had reacted to the announcement at that time, asking for a higher monthly pension for seers and for restoring the earlier Samajwadi pension scheme. Those demands did not lead to any separate scheme, and saints continue to get pension under the state's regular Old Age Pension category today.
Applicants who need support with other categories can also check Old Age Pension Scheme details, or look at Widow Pension Uttar Pradesh and Divyang Pension Yojana if other family members qualify for those categories. More schemes for Uttar Pradesh residents are listed on the state page.
FAQ's
Is UP Sadhu Pension Yojana still a separate scheme in 2026?
No, it now runs as part of the state's Old Age Pension Scheme. Sadhus aged 60 and above apply through the same SSPY UP portal used by other senior citizens.
How much pension do sadhus get every month?
Eligible sadhus and senior citizens get ₹1000 per month, sent every quarter as ₹3000 directly to their Aadhaar linked bank account.
Can a sadhu without a permanent address apply for this pension?
Yes, sadhus without a fixed home can use their math, ashram or temple address as residence proof, and district social welfare camps help with registration for those who need extra support.
Where can sadhus apply for this pension online?
Application is done through sspy-up.gov.in, the Integrated Social Pension Portal run by the Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Department.
Source / Reference Link: https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/metro/lucknow/politics/yogi-adityanath-government-declares-pension-for-all-destitute-people-of-up/articleshow/67622273.cms
Nautanwa