How to apply for Bihar Government's old age pension scheme: Eligibility & benefits explained

Bihar offers two main pension schemes aimed at supporting senior citizens: the Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Pension Yojana (MVPY) and the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS).

The scheme is run by the Department of Social Welfare, Bihar. MVPY provides financial support to elderly residents. To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be 60 years of age or older.

• Should be a permanent resident of Bihar.

• Must not be a retired government employee.

• Should not be receiving any other government pension, including family pensions or other social security benefits.

How to apply for old age pension in Bihar

Interested individuals can apply for the MVPY scheme online by following these steps:

• Visit the official website of the scheme.

• Click on the ‘Register for MVPY’ option on the homepage.

• Enter the required details and verify your Aadhaar by selecting the ‘Validate Aadhaar’ option.

• After validation, proceed to fill in additional information such as name, address, and bank account details.

• Review all the details carefully and submit the form.

• After submission, the authorities will review and verify the information provided. Upon successful verification, the pension benefits will begin.

As of July 2025, the Bihar government has raised the monthly pension amount for senior citizens from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100, marking a significant increase of Rs 700 per month.

The revised pension amount applies to beneficiaries under various welfare schemes, including:

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme

Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme

Laxmibai Social Security Pension Scheme

Bihar Disability Pension Scheme

Mukhyamantri Vridhjan Pension Yojana (MVPY)

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) dated June 21, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced:

“I am pleased to share that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, elderly individuals, persons with disabilities, and widowed women will now receive a monthly pension of Rs 1,100 instead of Rs 400. The revised pension will be effective from July onwards.”

He also emphasised the government's commitment to ensuring a dignified life for senior citizens, stating that continuous efforts would be made to support their well-being.