Is government launching minimum pension scheme for all citizens? Ministry responds in Parliament

The demand for a minimum pension for elderly citizens, particularly aged and destitute women, continues to be raised from time to time. The issue was recently brought up in Parliament, where the government was asked whether it was considering introducing a minimum pension scheme for all.

Is the government planning to introduce the minimum pension for all scheme?

R Girirajan, Member of Parliament, asked in Rajya Sabha on July 23, 2026, whether the government was considering introducing the ‘minimum pension scheme for all’ scheme to provide financial support to elderly people, particularly aged and destitute women. He also sought details of any such proposal.

Also read: EPS pension calculator: How much monthly pension can you get after 10 years of service under EPS 2026?

What did the government say about the minimum pension for all scheme?

Replying to the question, Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, said there is no such plan to launch the minimum pension scheme.

Social Security Code, 2020, has provision to launch social security fund

Instead, the minister highlighted the provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020, which aims to extend social security benefits to workers in the unorganised sector, including gig and platform workers.

According to the minister, “The Code also provides for setting up a Social Security Fund to finance the welfare scheme. Section 113 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, provides for the registration of unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers.”

The government also said that the Code on Social Security, 2020, provides for the creation of a Social Security Fund to finance welfare schemes for eligible workers.

In addition, Section 113 of the Code provides for the registration of unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers, enabling them to be covered under the social security framework.

Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 2026

The pension fund under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 2026, is a pooled fund into which contributions from employers and the central government are received, says the minister.

Is there a deadline to file a claim to get EPS benefits?

When a person or family qualifies, EPS benefits are disbursed from the fund. There is no deadline for submitting a claim to receive benefits that are due. When claims are submitted and settled, pension/withdrawal benefits under the EPS are released along with any outstanding arrears, says Karandlaje.

Unclaimed EPF amount in inoperative accounts

The Minister was also asked about the total amount of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) lying in inoperative accounts.
Karandlaje says as on March 31, 2026, the total amount lying in the inoperative EPF accounts, under para 72(6) of EPF Scheme, 1952 (now replaced by para 55 of EPF Scheme, 2026) is Rs 9330.56 crores.