Atal Pension Yojana (APY) 2026: Pension, Contribution Chart & Eligibility
Last verified: June 2026. Investments carry risk and rules/rates change — verify current details before investing. General information, not investment advice.
The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a government-backed pension scheme aimed at giving every Indian a guaranteed monthly pension in old age — for as little as ₹42 a month if you start young. Here is how it works in 2026.
What APY offers
APY gives a government-guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000, ₹2,000, ₹3,000, ₹4,000 or ₹5,000 from age 60, based on the pension level you choose and contribute towards. On the subscriber’s death the spouse continues to receive the pension, and the accumulated corpus goes to the nominee.
Eligibility
- Age 18 to 40 (so you contribute for at least 20 years).
- A savings bank or post-office account for auto-debit.
- Since 1 October 2022, anyone who is or has been an income-tax payer is not eligible to join.
How much you contribute
The earlier you start, the less you pay. Indicative monthly contributions:
| Join age | For ₹1,000 pension | For ₹5,000 pension |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | ₹42 | ₹210 |
| 40 | ₹291 | ₹1,454 |
Contributions auto-debit monthly, quarterly or half-yearly until age 60.
Who it suits
APY is ideal for those in the unorganised sector and anyone (under 40, non-taxpayer) wanting a small, guaranteed pension floor. Higher earners typically pair retirement planning with the NPS and equity SIPs for larger corpora.
FAQs
What is the maximum pension under APY?
₹5,000 per month from age 60, depending on your chosen level and contributions.
Who can join APY?
Indians aged 18–40 with a bank account; income-tax payers have been ineligible since October 2022.
What happens after the subscriber dies?
The spouse continues to receive the pension; the corpus is then paid to the nominee.
How little can I contribute?
As low as ₹42 a month for a ₹1,000 pension if you join at age 18.
