Atal Pension Yojana: The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has achieved a major milestone, with total gross enrolments surpassing 9 crore subscribers as of April 21, 2026. The scheme also recorded its highest-ever annual addition, with gross enrolments during FY 2025–26 crossing 1.35 crore subscribers.
Administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), APY is a flagship social security initiative of the Government of India aimed at strengthening financial security for citizens, particularly those in the unorganised sector.
Strong growth since launch
Launched on May 9, 2015, APY was designed to build a universal social security system focused on retirement income. Over the past decade, the scheme has expanded significantly, driven by coordinated efforts of public and private sector banks, regional rural banks, small finance banks, cooperative banks, State Level Bankers’ Committees (SLBCs), Lead District Managers (LDMs), and the Department of Posts.
PFRDA has played a key role in scaling up the scheme through awareness campaigns, multilingual outreach, capacity-building initiatives, and regular performance monitoring across states and districts.
What the Atal Pension Yojana offers?
APY is a voluntary, contributory pension scheme open to Indian citizens aged between 18 and 40 years who are not income tax payers. It aims to provide a structured retirement income and address longevity risks among low-income and unorganised workers.
The scheme promises a “Sampurna Suraksha Kavach” or complete financial protection through three key benefits:
- Guaranteed pension: Subscribers receive a fixed monthly pension ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 after attaining the age of 60.
- Spouse benefit: After the subscriber’s death, the spouse continues to receive the same pension for life.
- Nominee benefit: After the death of both the subscriber and spouse, the accumulated pension corpus is returned to the nominee.
APY: Contribution and tax benefits
Subscribers contribute regularly—monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly—through an auto-debit facility linked to their savings bank account, continuing until the age of 60. Contributions are eligible for tax benefits similar to the National Pension System (NPS) under Section 80CCD(1).
Exit and contingency provisions
Exit before 60 years: Subscribers receive their contributions along with net accrued income, after deducting maintenance charges. However, those who availed government co-contribution (for accounts opened before March 31, 2016) will not receive that portion or its returns.
- The spouse can continue the account and receive the pension after the original subscriber would have turned 60.
- Alternatively, the accumulated corpus can be withdrawn by the spouse or nominee.
Who is eligible for Atal Pension Yojana and who is excluded?
- Minimum entry age: 18 years
- Maximum entry age: 40 years
- Pension begins at: 60 years
Exclusion: Since October 1, 2022, individuals who are or have been income taxpayers are not eligible to join the scheme.
How to apply/enrol in the Atal Pension Yojana?
Offline: Individuals can visit their nearest bank branch or post office where they hold a savings account and submit the APY registration form.
- Through internet banking by filling basic and nominee details and enabling auto-debit
- Via the eNPS portal by selecting APY registration and completing KYC using Aadhaar (OTP, offline XML, or virtual ID)
Once registered and verified through e-sign, the subscriber is enrolled in the scheme.
With enrolments crossing the 90 million mark and record additions in the latest financial year, APY continues to strengthen its position as a key pillar of India’s social security framework, particularly for workers outside the formal economy.
