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Vidhwa Pension Yojana was launched by the central government for widows belonging to below-poverty-line (BPL) households.
The scheme is also known as the “Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme”. IGNWPS is one of the five schemes the central government offers under the National Social Assistance Programme.
The central government pays Rs 200 per month for each beneficiary and states further add some amount.
Currently, the central government's contributions towards the pension scheme range from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000.
The age criteria vary from one state to another. In UP, women aged 18-60 are eligible; MP allows women above 40 years, provided they fall in the BPL category.
Enrolling in this scheme requires ID and address proof, a photo, an income certificate, a death certificate, and bank account details.
The Social Welfare Department looks after the scheme in most states; however, states like Jharkhand, Karnataka, Assam, etc., have different implementing agencies.
The beneficiaries are identified based on the BPL lists prepared and posted annually on the respective governments' websites.
Compiled By Himani Verma