Join Atal Pension Yojana through your bank
Check official APY eligibility and the contribution schedule, then enrol through your savings bank, post office or its authorised digital channel.
New APY subscribers must be younger than 40 and must not be current or former income-tax payers; pension begins at age 60.
Scheme at a glance
Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a government-backed retirement pension scheme for eligible Indian citizens joining before age 40. Subscribers pay regular contributions until age 60 and select a guaranteed minimum pension slab of ₹1,000, ₹2,000, ₹3,000, ₹4,000 or ₹5,000 per month. It is a contributory pension, not a free monthly pension for registration.
Key Sarkari Yojana details
| Scheme | Atal Pension Yojana 2026: ₹1,000–₹5,000 Monthly Pension, Eligibility & Join |
|---|---|
| Ministry / administrator | Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance / PFRDA |
| Location | All India; local or participating-agency conditions may apply |
| New subscriber age | 18 years to before 40th birthday |
| Bank account | Savings bank or post-office savings bank account |
| Income-tax restriction | Current or former income-tax payers cannot join a new APY account from 1 October 2022 |
| Guaranteed minimum monthly pension | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after age 60, based on selected plan and contributions |
| Contribution frequency | Monthly, quarterly or half-yearly auto-debit |
| Enrolment | Participating savings bank/post office or supported bank digital channel |
| Guide updated | 14 November 2026 |
Scheme benefits and limits
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| ₹1,000 per month | Minimum guaranteed pension slab selected at joining |
| ₹2,000 per month | Higher contribution requirement |
| ₹3,000 per month | Higher contribution requirement |
| ₹4,000 per month | Higher contribution requirement |
| ₹5,000 per month | Highest listed guaranteed minimum pension slab |
| Contributions | Calculated from joining age, chosen pension slab and frequency; bank provides exact schedule |
Eligibility — who can apply?
- Indian citizen aged at least 18 and younger than 40 on the date of joining; the government’s FAQ says a person who has completed age 40 cannot newly join.
- Has or opens a savings bank or post office savings account with an APY participating institution.
- Is not a current or past income-tax payer when seeking a new APY enrolment (restriction effective 1 October 2022).
- May be a government or private-sector worker if the other applicable eligibility rules are met; employment status alone is not a disqualification.
- Only one APY account per person is permitted; bank auto-debit contributions must be maintained.
Documents and information required
- Identity and KYC records required by the bank/post office, account number and mobile.
- Date-of-birth proof where the bank asks for it, because contributions depend on age at joining.
- Spouse and nominee details on the enrolment form; Aadhaar may be requested or provided under current rules.
- Selection of pension amount and monthly/quarterly/half-yearly auto-debit frequency.
How to apply or claim the benefit — step by step
- Confirm that you are at least 18 but have not reached age 40 and are eligible under the income-tax restriction.
- Use the linked Department of Financial Services APY information or ask your bank/post office for the APY enrolment form.
- Select a pension slab from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 and ask for the exact contribution at your age and debit frequency.
- Complete KYC and spouse/nominee fields, sign auto-debit permission and submit the form via an authorised bank or online onboarding channel.
- Keep the APY acknowledgement/PRAN and sufficient savings balance for contributions.
- Review bank statements and APY records regularly; speak to the bank for changes, missed debits or pension claims.
Check the government pension rules and enrol through your savings bank, post office or an authorised bank’s digital APY onboarding service.
Important dates and application window
People who are or have been income-tax payers cannot open a new APY account after 1 October 2022. Contributions and pension depend on enrolment age and pension slab.
Frequently asked questions
Can income-tax payers join APY in 2026?
No. People who are or have been income-tax payers cannot open a new APY account from 1 October 2022.
Will I get pension immediately?
No. Pension normally begins at age 60, after regular contributions.
What happens to the spouse after the subscriber dies?
The prescribed minimum pension is payable to the spouse after the subscriber’s death; after both die, the nominee receives pension wealth as scheme rules provide.
How much must I pay monthly?
It depends on age when joining and pension slab; your bank’s official contribution schedule is the correct source.
Can a person already aged 40 enrol?
No, new entry requires being younger than 40 at enrolment under the official FAQ.
Official government websites and sources
Applicant checklist: Confirm the relevant category, check the government scheme instructions, preserve the reference number, and use only an authorised government portal or participating institution. Never share your banking or Aadhaar OTP.