Special Campaign in September to Ensure Eligible Elderly Receive Old-Age Pension Benefits
District Administration sets September 30 deadline for online applications; DM Dr Ashish Chauhan directs officials to ensure effective implementation
Dehradun.
The Dehradun district administration will launch a special campaign in September to connect eligible elderly persons with the Old-Age Pension Scheme, with the objective of ensuring that no eligible senior citizen is deprived of social security benefits.
District Magistrate Dr Ashish Chauhan has directed officials to conduct the campaign effectively across both urban and rural areas and identify elderly persons who meet the eligibility criteria but have not yet been able to avail themselves of the pension scheme.
The administration has set a target of ensuring that online applications from eligible beneficiaries are submitted and forwarded as per rules by September 30, 2026.
Eligible senior citizens to receive ₹1,500 monthly pension
Under the Social Welfare Department’s Old-Age Pension Scheme, eligible persons above 60 years of age are provided a monthly pension of ₹1,500.
To qualify, the annual family income should not exceed ₹48,000. If both husband and wife are eligible under the scheme, the family is entitled to a total pension of ₹3,000 per month, which is transferred directly to the bank account.
Eligible beneficiaries to be identified during special drive
DM Dr Ashish Chauhan said financial security in old age is not a favour but a right of every eligible person. The administration is committed to ensuring that the benefits of social security schemes reach every eligible senior citizen with dignity.
During the special campaign, officials, field-level staff and public representatives will contact elderly persons in their respective areas and assist eligible beneficiaries in completing the formalities required for pension applications.
Online application facility available through department website and CSCs
Eligible beneficiaries can apply online through the Social Welfare Department’s website. Applications can also be submitted with assistance from the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).
Officials have been instructed to provide necessary assistance to elderly applicants and ensure that eligible applications are not kept pending unnecessarily at any stage.
Special Gram Panchayat meetings to accelerate applications
In rural areas, applicants will require a proposal passed by the Gram Sabha along with an income certificate issued by the Revenue Department. Special meetings of Gram Panchayats will be organised during September to speed up the identification of eligible beneficiaries and completion of the application process.
In urban areas, applicants will have to complete the prescribed formalities, including submission of an income certificate issued by the concerned Tehsildar.
SDMs, Tehsildars and BDOs directed to prioritise campaign
The District Magistrate has directed all Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Tehsildars, Block Development Officers, urban local bodies and other concerned officials to implement the campaign on priority in their respective areas.
Officials have been asked to provide individual assistance to eligible elderly persons, facilitate their online applications and ensure timely disposal and forwarding of applications.
October pension for September applicants to be paid by November
According to the district administration, eligible elderly persons who submit their applications by September 30, 2026, will be provided the October 2026 pension amount by November 2026, subject to completion of the prescribed process.
The arrangement is aimed at connecting eligible beneficiaries with the social security scheme at the earliest and ensuring timely pension payments.
District Social Welfare Officer appointed nodal officer
District Social Welfare Officer Deepankar Ghildiyal has been designated as the nodal officer for monitoring the campaign. All Assistant Social Welfare Officers have been appointed as Assistant Nodal Officers.
Block-wise Assistant Social Welfare Officers will assist in identifying eligible elderly persons, completing their applications and ensuring that beneficiaries receive the benefits of the scheme.
Awareness campaign to inform beneficiaries about eligibility and documents
The District Magistrate has also directed officials to undertake extensive public awareness activities during the campaign. Elderly persons and their families will be informed about the eligibility criteria, application procedure and documents required under the pension scheme.
The administration has appealed to residents to identify eligible elderly persons in their neighbourhood who have not yet been able to avail themselves of the Old-Age Pension Scheme and assist them in submitting their online applications through the nearest CSC or concerned government office.
The district administration aims to bring the maximum number of eligible senior citizens under the social security scheme through the September campaign and ensure that no eligible elderly person is left without the benefit of old-age pension.
