The Central Government has clarified that it is not considering a universal minimum pension scheme for all senior citizens.
The statement came in the Rajya Sabha after a question was raised about whether the government planned to introduce a minimum pension to support elderly citizens, particularly poor and elderly women.
Government Responds to Question in Parliament
On July 23, 2026, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament R. Girirajan asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment whether the government was planning to introduce a “minimum pension scheme for all.”
He also sought details of any proposal aimed at providing financial support to senior citizens, especially elderly women from economically weaker sections.
Responding to the question, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje said the government has no proposal to introduce such a scheme.
Centre Highlights Social Security Code
Instead of announcing a new pension programme, the minister referred to the Code on Social Security, 2020, which contains provisions to extend social security benefits to workers in the unorganised sector.
She said the legislation covers unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers, providing a framework for welfare schemes.
Karandlaje also highlighted that the Code provides for the creation of a Social Security Fund to finance welfare programmes for eligible beneficiaries.
Registration Available for Eligible Workers
The Central Government has clarified that it is not considering a universal minimum pension scheme for all senior citizens.
The statement came in the Rajya Sabha after a question was raised about whether the government planned to introduce a minimum pension to support elderly citizens, particularly poor and elderly women.
Government Responds to Question in Parliament
On July 23, 2026, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament R. Girirajan asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment whether the government was planning to introduce a “minimum pension scheme for all.”
He also sought details of any proposal aimed at providing financial support to senior citizens, especially elderly women from economically weaker sections.
Responding to the question, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje said the government has no proposal to introduce such a scheme.
Centre Highlights Social Security Code
Instead of announcing a new pension programme, the minister referred to the Code on Social Security, 2020, which contains provisions to extend social security benefits to workers in the unorganised sector.
She said the legislation covers unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers, providing a framework for welfare schemes.
Karandlaje also highlighted that the Code provides for the creation of a Social Security Fund to finance welfare programmes for eligible beneficiaries.
Registration Available for Eligible Workers
The government said eligible workers can register under Section 113 of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
This registration allows unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers to become part of the social security framework and access benefits provided under government welfare schemes.
The Centre added that the Social Security Fund has been included in the law to support such welfare initiatives.
Government Shares Data on Inactive EPF Accounts
During the parliamentary session, another question was raised regarding the amount lying in inactive Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) accounts.
In response, Karandlaje informed the House that ₹9,330.56 crore remained in outstanding EPF accounts as of March 31, 2026.
She explained that these accounts fall under Paragraph 72(6) of the EPF Scheme, 1952, which has now been replaced by Paragraph 55 of the EPF Scheme, 2026.
No Universal Minimum Pension Proposal at Present
The government’s response makes it clear that, at present, there is no proposal to introduce a universal minimum pension scheme for all senior citizens.
Instead, the Centre continues to focus on strengthening the existing social security framework under the Code on Social Security, 2020, particularly for workers in the unorganised sector.The Central Government has clarified that it is not considering a universal minimum pension scheme for all senior citizens.
The statement came in the Rajya Sabha after a question was raised about whether the government planned to introduce a minimum pension to support elderly citizens, particularly poor and elderly women.
Government Responds to Question in Parliament
On July 23, 2026, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament R. Girirajan asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment whether the government was planning to introduce a “minimum pension scheme for all.”
He also sought details of any proposal aimed at providing financial support to senior citizens, especially elderly women from economically weaker sections.
Responding to the question, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje said the government has no proposal to introduce such a scheme.
Centre Highlights Social Security Code
Instead of announcing a new pension programme, the minister referred to the Code on Social Security, 2020, which contains provisions to extend social security benefits to workers in the unorganised sector.
She said the legislation covers unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers, providing a framework for welfare schemes.
Karandlaje also highlighted that the Code provides for the creation of a Social Security Fund to finance welfare programmes for eligible beneficiaries.
Registration Available for Eligible Workers
The government said eligible workers can register under Section 113 of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
This registration allows unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers to become part of the social security framework and access benefits provided under government welfare schemes.
The Centre added that the Social Security Fund has been included in the law to support such welfare initiatives.
Government Shares Data on Inactive EPF Accounts
During the parliamentary session, another question was raised regarding the amount lying in inactive Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) accounts.
In response, Karandlaje informed the House that ₹9,330.56 crore remained in outstanding EPF accounts as of March 31, 2026.
She explained that these accounts fall under Paragraph 72(6) of the EPF Scheme, 1952, which has now been replaced by Paragraph 55 of the EPF Scheme, 2026.
No Universal Minimum Pension Proposal at Present
The government’s response makes it clear that, at present, there is no proposal to introduce a universal minimum pension scheme for all senior citizens.
Instead, the Centre continues to focus on strengthening the existing social security framework under the Code on Social Security, 2020, particularly for workers in the unorganised sector.
This registration allows unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers to become part of the social security framework and access benefits provided under government welfare schemes.
The Centre added that the Social Security Fund has been included in the law to support such welfare initiatives.
Government Shares Data on Inactive EPF Accounts
During the parliamentary session, another question was raised regarding the amount lying in inactive Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) accounts.
In response, Karandlaje informed the House that ₹9,330.56 crore remained in outstanding EPF accounts as of March 31, 2026.
She explained that these accounts fall under Paragraph 72(6) of the EPF Scheme, 1952, which has now been replaced by Paragraph 55 of the EPF Scheme, 2026.
No Universal Minimum Pension Proposal at Present
The government’s response makes it clear that, at present, there is no proposal to introduce a universal minimum pension scheme for all senior citizens.
Instead, the Centre continues to focus on strengthening the existing social security framework under the Code on Social Security, 2020, particularly for workers in the unorganised sector.