Uttar Pradesh to raise pensions for 12.1 million vulnerable citizens

The Yogi Adityanath-led administration in Uttar Pradesh has given in-principle approval to enhance social security pensions as part of its commitment to vulnerable populations. The pension hike will apply to three key categories: senior citizens, women without means of support, and differently-abled individuals.

Under the revised scheme, monthly pension allocations will increase by 50 percent, rising from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per beneficiary. State officials estimate the measure will directly impact approximately 1.21 crore individuals across the state's 75 districts.

The pension enhancement represents a significant expansion of the state's social welfare expenditure. The move aligns with the government's stated priority of strengthening the social security net for economically vulnerable groups in India's most populous state.

The proposal has secured formal approval from state authorities and is expected to be implemented following necessary administrative procedures. The pension revision will be administered through existing state welfare schemes, with the increased allocations applying to current and future beneficiaries meeting eligibility criteria.