The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved a significant reform in the state’s old-age pension scheme. Under the new system, eligible senior citizens will no longer need to submit separate applications. Instead, beneficiaries will be automatically identified through the Family ID – One Family, One Identity database. Social Welfare Minister (Independent Charge) Asim Arun said that once the system verifies eligibility, pension approval will be granted after obtaining the citizen’s consent.
Automatic Identification Through Family ID
Currently, around 67.5 lakh elderly citizens receive pensions, but many eligible individuals miss out due to incomplete application procedures. The new mechanism aims to bridge this gap.
Under the revised setup, the Family ID system will automatically compile a list of individuals who are set to turn 60 within the next 90 days. This list will then be transferred via API to the Social Welfare Department’s pension portal.
Consent Collection: Digital and Physical Modes
The department will first seek consent through SMS, WhatsApp, and phone calls.
If consent is not received digitally, officials—such as Gram Panchayat Assistants, CSC operators, or departmental staff—will visit them personally.
If a beneficiary fails to provide consent through both digital and physical methods, their name will be removed from the processing list.
Fast-Tracked Approval and Direct Benefit Transfer
After receiving consent, the Scheme Officer will approve the pension within 15 days using a digital signature. The approval letter will be sent to the beneficiary by post.
Payments will be deposited directly into the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account, and details of each instalment will be communicated via SMS.
Launch of a Mobile App for Pension Tracking
The government will also introduce a dedicated mobile app, enabling beneficiaries to view their pension history like a digital passbook.
The decisions were part of 20 proposals cleared during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday (November 14).
