How much do I contribute to APY?

It depends on your joining age and chosen pension. Joining at 18, the ₹1,000 pension costs about ₹42/month and ₹5,000 about ₹210/month. Joining at 40, the same slabs cost roughly ₹291 and ₹1,454/month. Contributions auto-debit monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly until age 60.

What happens to APY if I die before 60?

Your spouse can continue contributing for the remaining period and receive the same pension, or exit and take the accumulated corpus. After both subscriber and spouse pass away, the nominee receives the corpus.

Atal Pension Yojana: Eligibility, Contribution & How to Apply

Q: Who is eligible for Atal Pension Yojana?

Indian citizens aged 18 to 40 with a savings bank or post office account. Since 1 October 2022, anyone who is or has been an income-tax payer cannot join. The scheme is aimed at unorganised-sector workers without formal pensions.

Q: How much pension does APY give?

A government-guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000, ₹2,000, ₹3,000, ₹4,000, or ₹5,000 from age 60, depending on the slab you choose and contribute towards. After the subscriber and spouse pass away, the accumulated corpus goes to the nominee.

Q: How do I open an APY account?

Through your bank — at the branch, via net/mobile banking, or at a post office. You need an active savings account, Aadhaar, and a mobile number. Choose your pension slab and auto-debit frequency; the account activates with the first debit.

Updated 5 June 2026 · By the SchemeCheck team

Quick answer: Any Indian citizen aged 18–40 with a savings account can join Atal Pension Yojana — unless you are or have been an income-tax payer (rule since 1 Oct 2022). You contribute a fixed amount until 60 and then receive a government-guaranteed pension of ₹1,000–₹5,000 per month for life. Enrol at any bank branch, via net banking, or at a post office.

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What APY guarantees

Atal Pension Yojana is the central government's pension scheme for workers without formal retirement cover — drivers, shop staff, domestic workers, farm labour, gig workers, the self-employed. You pick a pension slab (₹1,000 / ₹2,000 / ₹3,000 / ₹4,000 / ₹5,000 per month), contribute by auto-debit until you turn 60, and the pension is guaranteed by the Government of India for life. Your spouse gets the same pension after you, and your nominee inherits the corpus after both of you.

Eligibility criteria

Age 18–40 at joining (you contribute for at least 20 years)
Resident Indian citizen with an active savings bank or post office account
Aadhaar and a mobile number for enrolment and updates
Not an income-tax payer — since 1 October 2022, anyone who is or has been liable to pay income tax cannot join. (Existing pre-2022 taxpayer subscribers continue.)
One APY account per person

How much you pay: contribution snapshot

Your monthly contribution is fixed by your joining age and chosen slab — the earlier you join, the dramatically cheaper it is:

Joining age	₹1,000 pension	₹3,000 pension	₹5,000 pension
18	≈ ₹42/month	≈ ₹126/month	≈ ₹210/month
25	≈ ₹76/month	≈ ₹226/month	≈ ₹376/month
30	≈ ₹116/month	≈ ₹347/month	≈ ₹577/month
35	≈ ₹181/month	≈ ₹543/month	≈ ₹902/month
40	≈ ₹291/month	≈ ₹873/month	≈ ₹1,454/month

Quarterly and half-yearly auto-debit options exist; the full official chart is in the APY scheme document on jansuraksha.gov.in. You can upgrade or downgrade your pension slab once a year.

How to enrol

At your bank branch: fill the APY registration form (available in regional languages), provide Aadhaar and mobile number, choose your slab and debit frequency.
Online: most major banks offer APY enrolment in net banking / mobile apps under pension or government schemes sections.
Post office: any post office savings account holder can enrol the same way.
Keep your account funded — missed contributions accrue small penalty interest (₹1–₹10/month depending on amount), and prolonged default can freeze or close the account.

Worth knowing

Tax benefit: APY contributions qualify for the additional ₹50,000 NPS deduction under Section 80CCD(1B) (old regime).
Exit before 60 is allowed only voluntarily (you get your contributions plus actual returns, minus the government co-contribution if any) or on death/terminal illness.
If you die before 60, your spouse can continue the account and draw the same pension, or exit with the corpus.
Run by PFRDA through banks — there are no agents and no fees to enrol; beware anyone charging for APY "registration".

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for Atal Pension Yojana?

Citizens aged 18–40 with a savings account who are not (and have never been) income-tax payers.

How much pension does APY give?

A guaranteed ₹1,000–₹5,000 per month from age 60, for life — your spouse continues it, and your nominee gets the corpus.

How much do I contribute?

From ≈₹42/month (join at 18, ₹1,000 slab) to ≈₹1,454/month (join at 40, ₹5,000 slab). Earlier is far cheaper.

How do I open an APY account?

At any bank branch or post office, or through net/mobile banking. You need a savings account, Aadhaar, and a mobile number.

What happens if I die before 60?

Your spouse continues the account or exits with the corpus; after both spouses, the nominee receives it.

Unorganised worker? You may also qualify for e-Shram benefits, health cover & more.