Cabinet Approves Continuation of Atal Pension Yojana Till 2030–31
The continuation of APY is expected to strengthen old-age income security for millions of low-income and unorganised sector workers.
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the continuation of the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) up to the financial year 2030–31, along with an extension of government funding support for promotional, developmental and gap-funding activities.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Government Support to Continue
Under the approved framework, government support will continue for:
- promotional and developmental activities aimed at expanding outreach among unorganised sector workers, including awareness programmes and capacity building, and
- gap funding to meet viability requirements and ensure the long-term sustainability of the scheme.
Officials said sustained government backing is critical to maintaining enrolment momentum and ensuring adequate pension coverage for workers outside the formal employment system.
Social Security Impact
The continuation of APY is expected to strengthen old-age income security for millions of low-income and unorganised sector workers. The scheme is also seen as a key pillar of India’s financial inclusion architecture, supporting the broader transition towards a pensioned society.
The government said the extension aligns with the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 by providing predictable and sustainable social security to vulnerable sections of the workforce.
Scheme Background and Progress
Launched on May 9, 2015, APY was designed to provide assured pension benefits to workers in the unorganised sector. The scheme offers a guaranteed minimum monthly pension ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, beginning at the age of 60, depending on the subscriber’s contribution.
As of January 19, 2026, APY has enrolled over 8.66 crore subscribers, making it one of the largest contributory pension schemes in the country and a cornerstone of India’s inclusive social security framework.
Officials noted that continued government support is necessary to sustain awareness campaigns, strengthen institutional capacity, and bridge financial viability gaps as the scheme expands over the coming years.
