Tamil Nadu’s old age pension pays ₹1,200 a month to eligible people aged 60 and above, according to the Commissionerate of Revenue Administration’s social security pension page. For those aged 60 to 79, ₹200 of that comes from the Centre under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) and ₹1,000 from the state. For those 80 and above, the Centre pays ₹500 and the state ₹700.
The amount was raised to ₹1,200 from August 2023. A further increase has been talked about since May 2026 but had not been notified when this article was checked. Here is who qualifies, how a Chennai resident applies, and what happens after.
Who qualifies
The central scheme is for older people who are destitute and from below-poverty-line families. District pages such as Ariyalur’s spell out the state’s conditions under G.O.Ms.No.26 of 2015:
- Age 60 or above.
- Destitute, with no income or source of income.
- From a below-poverty-line family.
- Fixed assets worth less than ₹1 lakh.
Tamil Nadu runs several related pensions with the same ₹1,200 rate, listed by the Commissionerate: destitute widows, deserted wives, poor unmarried women aged 50 and above, and an old age pension for landless agricultural labourers enrolled in the Chief Minister’s Uzhavar Padhukappu Thittam. Under those state schemes, the eligibility page says the ₹1 lakh asset limit is not applied if the government has given the person a free house. The disability pension is separate and pays ₹1,500.
The Commissionerate counted 34,90,969 beneficiaries across all its social security pensions as of March 2024.
How to apply in Chennai
Applications are online. The Commissionerate’s online pension page says applications under every social security scheme can be made online, are checked by Revenue Department officials, and are approved by the Special Tahsildar (Social Security Scheme) of the taluk. It says applications are to be verified and disposed of within 30 days.
- Visit an e-Sevai centre. The state IT department’s service list shows a ₹60 service charge for the Indira Gandhi old age pension and the other Revenue pensions.
- Carry Aadhaar, the smart ration card, a photograph, age proof, and bank account details.
- The operator files the application and gives you an acknowledgement number.
- The Village Administrative Officer or Revenue Inspector may visit to check age, income, assets and living situation.
- The Special Tahsildar (Social Security Scheme) at your taluk office decides the application.
In Chennai district, the taluk office covering your address handles this, and the Special Tahsildar there is the person to meet if the file is stuck. Take the acknowledgement slip.
How the money is paid
A government order of 30 November 2023 started paying pensions by Direct Benefit Transfer into bank accounts, on a pilot basis in Ariyalur and Perambalur, with plans to extend it to other districts, the Commissionerate notes. Keep the bank account linked to Aadhaar and active, and update the taluk office if you change accounts. A pension stops if the beneficiary’s details cannot be verified, so respond to any life-certificate or verification request.
Is a pension hike coming?
In May 2026, soon after the new government took office, Outlook Money reported that the state was considering raising the old age pension to ₹1,500. The same report said it was considering moving women above 60 from the Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme into the pension scheme. It added that no detailed notification had been issued.
On 3 October 2026, a federation of senior citizens’ associations asked for ₹3,000 a month and wider coverage, Deccan Chronicle reported, saying 14.18 lakh elderly people were covered under the old age pension. Until a government order appears, ₹1,200 is the rate to plan on.
Common reasons for rejection
- Assets in the applicant’s name, such as land or a house, above the ₹1 lakh limit, other than a government-allotted free house under the state schemes.
- A regular income or another government pension.
- Age proof that does not match Aadhaar or the ration card.
- Mismatched names across the bank account, Aadhaar and application.
If rejected, ask the Special Tahsildar for the reason in writing and re-apply with the missing proof. A petition at the district collectorate’s weekly grievance day is another route if the taluk office does not respond. Families helping an elderly parent can file the application on their behalf, but the applicant should be available when officials visit.
Quick answers
How much is the old age pension in Tamil Nadu?
₹1,200 a month, shared between the Centre and state under IGNOAPS.
Who sanctions it in Chennai?
The Special Tahsildar (Social Security Scheme) of your taluk, after Revenue officials verify the application.
How long does approval take?
The Commissionerate says applications are to be disposed of within 30 days.
Has the pension been raised to ₹1,500?
A hike was reported to be under consideration in May 2026, but no order had been notified as of mid-October 2026.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Social Security Pension Schemes (Commissionerate of Revenue Administration, Government of Tamil Nadu)
- Eligibility criteria, state social security pension schemes (Commissionerate of Revenue Administration)
- Online application for Social Security Scheme Pensions (Commissionerate of Revenue Administration)
- Social Security Schemes, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension (Ariyalur district administration)
- List of services offered in e-sevai centres (Information Technology Department, Tamil Nadu)
- Tamil Nadu plans to shift KMUT beneficiaries above 60 to pension scheme (Outlook Money, 16 May 2026)
- Elders seek pension hike, better healthcare (Deccan Chronicle, 3 Oct 2026)
