The government’s flagship social security initiative, Atal Pension Yojana (APY), has crossed a major milestone, with total gross enrolments surpassing 9 crore subscribers as of April 21, 2026.
The scheme also recorded its highest-ever annual addition, with over 1.35 crore new subscribers joining during the financial year 2025-26, reflecting its expanding reach and growing acceptance among citizens, particularly in the unorganised sector.
Launched in May 2015, APY is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and aims to provide a universal social security framework for India’s workforce. The scheme is targeted primarily at low-income groups and workers in the unorganised sector, offering them financial security in old age through a contributory pension system.
The Finance Ministry attributed the steady growth of the scheme to coordinated efforts by banks, regional rural institutions, cooperative banks, and the Department of Posts, along with sustained government support. Extensive outreach campaigns, awareness drives, and capacity-building initiatives have also played a key role in increasing enrolments across states and districts.
Under APY, subscribers are eligible for a guaranteed monthly pension ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after attaining the age of 60. The scheme also provides continued pension benefits to the spouse after the subscriber’s death, and ensures that the accumulated corpus is returned to the nominee after the demise of both subscriber and spouse.
The scheme is open to all Indian citizens between the ages of 18 and 40 years, except those who are or have been income tax payers.
