The Atal Pension Yojana was launched by the central government in May 2015. The main objective of this scheme is to create a strong and comprehensive social security system in the country, so that people working in the unorganised sector can get financial support in their old age. Under the scheme, subscribers receive a fixed and guaranteed monthly pension after the age of 60.
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Existing Pension and Contribution System
Under this scheme, subscribers can choose a monthly pension ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000, according to their convenience. The monthly contribution is determined based on the chosen pension amount and the age of joining the scheme, ranging from approximately Rs. 42 to Rs. 1,454.
The Issue of Increasing Pensions Raised in Parliament
The government was asked in the Lok Sabha whether it was considering increasing the minimum pension under the Atal Pension Yojana to further strengthen the social security of unorganised sector workers. It was also asked whether there were any plans for future changes to the pension system or contribution structure linked to inflation.
Why the Government Refused to Increase Pensions
Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, in a written reply to Parliament on December 15, clarified that there is currently no proposal to increase the pension amount under the Atal Pension Yojana. According to the government, if the pension amount is increased, subscribers will have to contribute more, which will put an additional burden on economically weaker sections. For this reason, the decision has been taken to continue the scheme with the existing rules and conditions.
Number of People Associated with the Atal Pension Yojana
According to government data, as of November 30, 2025, a total of 84,517,419 people have joined the Atal Pension Yojana. This number is more than 8.4 crore, which shows that the scheme has gained the trust of a large number of people across the country.
Number of Subscribers in Each Pension Slab
According to the data, the highest number of subscribers is in the Rs. 1,000 pension slab, accounting for approximately 86.91 percent. Approximately 3 percent of subscribers fall into the ₹2,000 pension slab, 1.41 percent into the ₹3,000 slab, and 0.53 percent into the ₹4,000 slab. The maximum pension slab of ₹5,000 accounts for about 8.15 percent of subscribers.
Increasing Enrollment Every Year
The pace of enrollment in the Atal Pension Yojana has increased every year. While only 24.8 lakh people were enrolled in the scheme in the financial year 2015-16, this number had crossed 7.6 crore by the end of 2024-25. In the current financial year 2025-26, 84.26 lakh new subscribers have already joined the scheme by November 30th.
Social Significance of the Scheme
According to the government, the Atal Pension Yojana is specifically designed for the poor, underprivileged, and unorganised sector workers. It aims to ensure that people receive a regular and reliable income even after retirement, enabling them to live a life of dignity.