Pensioners' body calls nationwide August 5 protest for ₹7,500 minimum monthly pension under EPS

Thousands of pensioners covered under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS-95) are set to gather at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on August 5 as part of a nationwide protest, demanding a minimum monthly pension of ₹7,500 along with other social security benefits, as per a PTI report.

The protest has been called by the EPS95 National Agitation Committee, which says years of representations, peaceful demonstrations and appeals to the government have not resulted in any meaningful policy action.

What are the pensioners demanding?

• Increase the minimum monthly EPS pension from the current ₹1,000 to ₹7,500.

• Provide Dearness Allowance (DA) to pensioners.

Extend free medical facilities to pensioners and their spouses.

• Implement higher pension benefits for eligible retirees in line with Supreme Court judgments.

Commander Ashok Raut, National President of the EPS95 National Agitation Committee, told PTI that nearly 81 lakh EPS-95 pensioners have been pursuing these demands for over a decade. Despite repeated assurances from the government, no concrete action has been taken, he said. Highlighting the financial hardships faced by retirees, Raut said a large number of EPS-95 beneficiaries receive an average monthly pension of around ₹1,171, which is "grossly inadequate" in today's economic conditions.

The committee also warned that if its demands continue to remain unaddressed, it may intensify its agitation.

Current minimum pension under EPS

At present, the minimum monthly pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) is ₹1,000. This minimum pension came into effect on September 1, 2014, and has not been revised since.

The EPS is administered by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and provides pension benefits to eligible members after retirement.

Why this protest comes at an important time

The protest coincides with growing interest in retirement benefits following the notification of the EPF Scheme 2026.

Although the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) are separate schemes under the EPFO, both are integral to the retirement benefits available to organised-sector employees.

One of the key discussions in recent weeks has been around the EPF wage ceiling, with several media reports suggesting that the government may consider increasing the existing limit. Upstox News has not independently verified these reports, and the government has made no official announcement.

Can the EPF wage ceiling be increased?

The newly notified EPF Scheme 2026 does not prescribe a fixed wage ceiling. Instead, it provides that provident fund contributions will be calculated based on the "wage ceiling limit" notified by the Central Government from time to time.

This means the government has the flexibility to revise the current statutory wage ceiling through a notification if it chooses.

EPF wage ceiling vs EPS pension: What's the difference?

While both fall under the EPFO framework, they serve different purposes.