In a landmark move to further enhance the welfare of senior citizens, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal announced the launch of 80,000 new old-age pensions in Delhi, on Monday. With this expansion, the Delhi government will now provide financial support to a total of 5.30 lakh senior citizens, cementing its commitment to social welfare and equity.
Under the enhanced scheme, senior citizens aged 60–69 will receive ₹2,000 per month, while those aged 70 and above will receive ₹2,500. In a further boost to inclusivity, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minority communities will receive an additional ₹500. The initiative, which was approved by the Delhi Cabinet and implemented immediately, has already garnered a tremendous response, with over 10,000 applications received within 24 hours of its launch.
Announcing the development, Arvind Kejriwal emphasized the growing support provided to senior citizens under the AAP government. “When our government was formed in 2015, Delhi had 3,32,000 senior citizens receiving pensions. Over the past nine years, we added 1,25,000 more pensions, bringing the total to 4,50,000. With the addition of 80,000 pensions, nearly 5,30,000 senior citizens in Delhi will now benefit,” he said.
Arvind Kejriwal noted that pensions had been a long-standing demand from senior citizens. “Wherever I went—be it padyatras or public interactions—elderly mothers and fathers would ask me to get their pensions restarted or help them apply for new ones,” he said. He declared this announcement as a moment of joy for senior citizens and confirmed that the portal for applications had gone live yesterday. “Within 24 hours, over 10,000 applications have already been received,” he added.
Currently, senior citizens aged 60–69 years in Delhi receive ₹2,000 per month, while those aged 70 and above receive ₹2,500. Arvind Kejriwal highlighted how these figures had been doubled since AAP came to power in 2015, when they were ₹1,000 and ₹1,500, respectively. He contrasted these amounts with other states, noting that Rajasthan offers ₹1,150, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh ₹1,000, Gujarat ₹700, Chhattisgarh ₹650, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra ₹600, Odisha ₹300, and Assam and Goa ₹500. “In Delhi, where we have a single-engine government, senior citizens receive ₹2,500. In states with double-engine governments, they barely get ₹500–600. It is clear that choosing a double-engine government is a loss. Why do you need a double-engine when a single-engine can do much better?” Arvind Kejriwal.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by senior citizens, Arvind Kejriwal addressed the hardships caused during his imprisonment earlier this year. “When I was in jail, many projects were stalled. But halting pensions for senior citizens was especially painful to me. An elderly person waits eagerly for ₹2,000 or ₹2,500 to cover their basic needs. Stopping that is nothing short of a sin. The first thing I did after coming out was to resume their pending pensions,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude to the senior citizens of Delhi, saying, “I owe my release from jail to the blessings of these elderly. By launching these new pensions, I am not doing them a favor—I am expressing my heartfelt gratitude to them.”
Chief Minister Atishi praised the AAP’s sustained focus on the welfare of marginalized groups. “Since Arvind Kejriwal became Chief Minister in 2015, Delhi has witnessed governance that cares for everyone—women, children, those living in slums, and especially senior citizens. For elderly people, he has acted like a modern-day Shravan Kumar, facilitating pilgrimages for over 1 lakh senior citizens across the country,” she said.
CM Atishi criticized the BJP-led central government for attempting to derail Arvind Kejriwal’s welfare agenda. “When they couldn’t match the work being done in Delhi, they arrested Arvind Kejriwal to stop the projects benefiting Delhi’s people. But their conspiracy failed because of the love and blessings of Delhiites. Now, one by one, all the stalled projects are being resumed,” she said.
Social Welfare Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also spoke about the injustice faced by the elderly during Arvind Kejriwal’s imprisonment. “Senior citizens in Delhi suffered when their pensions were stopped for several months. After Arvind Kejriwal was released, their pending pensions were resumed immediately, and now 80,000 new pensions have been introduced,” he said.
Highlighting the enthusiasm for the initiative, Saurabh Bharadwaj added, “In just 24 hours, over 10,000 online applications have been received. This shows how much the elderly trust and rely on the Delhi government.”
The Social Minister stated, “There’s another example of Arvind Kejriwal’s compassion and sensitivity. In Delhi, people with disabilities were already receiving significant financial support. However, a special provision has now been made for those with high special needs –– the ones who have over 60% disability. Delhi is the only government in India providing such a substantial amount for these individuals. We are offering a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 to them. The application process for this has also been approved by the Cabinet and will begin soon,” he concluded.
About Old Age Assistace Scheme
Financial Assistance of Rs. 2000/-P.M for 60-69 years & Rs. 500/- additional to SC/ST/Minorities beneficiaries and Rs.2500/-P.M for 70 & above is provided for old persons/destitute residents of Delhi. The Delhi government has launched an online portal to streamline the application process. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply promptly to benefit from 80,000 Vacancies under Delhi’s Old Age Assistance Scheme
Eligibility Criteria
- Persons 60 years & above
- Residence of min. 5 years in Delhi before the date of application.
- Annual family income of not more than Rs 1,00,000/- from all sources.
- Aadhaar number is mandatory for applying
- The applicant should have a singly-operated account in any Bank in National Capital Territory of Delhi.
- Must not be receiving any pension/financial assistance from Central Govt/State Govt/other governmental local bodies or any other source for this purpose
Documents Required
- Applicant’s Aadhar Card
- Residence Proof of min. 5 years in Delhi before the date of application
- A singly-operated account in any Bank in National Capital Territory of Delhi mapped with Aadhar.
- Self certification of Income
- Minority, SC, ST Proof (if applicable)
How to Apply
- If the person fulfils the prescribed norms/eligibility criteria under this scheme, he/she can apply online on the e-district portal (www.edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in.)
- For any query/help, you may contact your concerned District Social Welfare Office.
- List of the Name & Addresses of the District Social Welfare Offices of the Department is available on the Departmental website (https://socialwelfare.delhi.gov.in/).
The portal for applications has begun on 24 November and will remain active for 3 weeks or until 80,000 applications are received.
