Over 8.34 Crore Indians Enrolled in Atal Pension Yojana: Earn Up to ₹60,000 Annual Pension

The Atal Pension Yojana (APY), one of India’s most successful social security schemes, continues to gain massive traction across the country. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently informed the Lok Sabha that as of 31 October 2025, the scheme has attracted 8.34 crore subscribers, reflecting the growing trust of citizens—especially low-income and unorganized sector workers—in this government-backed pension plan.

What makes this milestone even more remarkable is that 4.04 crore women have enrolled in APY, accounting for nearly 48% of all subscribers. This highlights the scheme’s growing acceptance among women seeking long-term financial security.

Scheme Launched to Support India’s Low-Income Workforce

Launched on 9 May 2015, the Atal Pension Yojana was designed to ensure retirement stability for millions of Indians without access to formal pension benefits. The scheme is open to all citizens between 18 and 40 years, provided they have a bank or post office savings account.

Once the subscriber turns 60, the government guarantees a fixed monthly pension based on the contribution made over the years. The first batch of APY subscribers will begin receiving pension payments starting in 2035.

Government Push to Expand Coverage Nationwide

To ensure the scheme reaches every eligible household, the government and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) have intensified promotional efforts. These include:

• Awareness campaigns across India

• Brochures printed in 13 regional languages

• Regular virtual training sessions for bank mitras, SHG members, and banking correspondents

• Support from NABARD, NRLM, SRLMs, and NCFE

This multi-channel outreach has played a critical role in expanding the scheme’s subscriber base across urban and rural regions.

Key Features of Atal Pension Yojana

1. Minimum Contribution Period

Subscribers must contribute for at least 20 years.

2. Eligibility Criteria

Only individuals not paying income tax are eligible to join APY.
(This rule is applicable for registrations made after 1 October 2022.)

3. Payment Flexibility

Contributions can be made through monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly auto-debit from a bank or post office account.

4. Regulated by PFRDA

The scheme is administered and monitored by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.

How Much You Need to Contribute

The pension amount depends on the age at which one joins the scheme. For a monthly pension of ₹1,000, the required contributions are:

• Age 19: ₹46 per month

• Age 24: ₹70 per month

• Age 29: ₹106 per month

• Age 34: ₹165 per month

• Age 39: ₹264 per month

These contributions continue regularly until the subscriber reaches 60 years of age.

By the time the subscriber turns 60, the accumulated corpus for a ₹1,000 pension plan is approximately ₹1.7 lakh.

Family Benefits: What Happens After the Subscriber’s Death?

APY provides strong financial security for families:

• If the subscriber dies after turning 60, the spouse continues to receive the same monthly pension.

• After the death of both the subscriber and spouse, the nominee receives the entire accumulated corpus.

Penalty for Delayed Payments

If the subscriber’s bank account lacks sufficient balance at the time of auto-debit, a penalty of ₹1 per ₹100 contribution is charged every month. Failure to maintain timely payments may result in temporary account freeze or even closure.

A Reliable Social Security Net for Crores of Citizens

Over the past decade, the Atal Pension Yojana has emerged as a powerful financial tool for workers in the unorganized sector. With low monthly contributions, guaranteed pension, and family protection benefits, APY continues to serve as one of the most accessible retirement solutions in the country.