The Samajwadi Pension Yojana, launched in 2014 by the Uttar Pradesh government, provides financial relief to over 40 lakh families living below the poverty line. Offering ₹500 monthly pensions, the scheme targets rural households, prioritizing SC/ST, OBC, and minorities. Despite being halted in 2017, recent promises by Akhilesh Yadav signal its potential revival, offering ₹18,000 annually to beneficiaries.
Empowering UP’s Poor Through Samajwadi Pension Yojana
The Samajwadi Pension Yojana, initiated on February 28, 2014, by the Uttar Pradesh government under the Samajwadi Party, aimed to uplift approximately 40 lakh rural families living below the poverty line (BPL). Replacing the Rani Laxmibai Pension Yojana, the scheme provided a monthly pension of ₹500 to eligible households, with a provision to increase by ₹50 annually, up to a maximum of ₹750. The initiative targeted economically weaker sections, including 12 lakh SC/ST families, 10 lakh minority families, and 18 lakh from general and OBC categories, ensuring broad coverage across Uttar Pradesh’s diverse communities.
Eligibility for the scheme required families to reside in Uttar Pradesh with valid proof of residency and a bank account with the State Bank of India or another nationalized bank. Additional conditions included enrolling children aged 6–14 in government schools with at least 70% attendance, promoting education, and ensuring pregnant women deliver in government hospitals to improve healthcare access. Families benefiting from other government welfare schemes, owning a motor vehicle, or holding 0.5 hectares of land were ineligible, ensuring aid reached the most deserving.
The application process was streamlined through the official website (http://sspy-up.gov.in), allowing applicants to download forms, submit details like name, caste, and residence, and upload required documents. Beneficiaries received a Samajwadi Pension Yojana card, functioning as a passbook to track pension transactions, with funds transferred directly via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Gram Panchayats played a crucial role in verifying and selecting eligible families, ensuring transparency.
In 2017, the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government halted the scheme, citing concerns over ineligible beneficiaries, and ordered a review to verify the 50 lakh recipients. The scheme was renamed Mukhyamantri Pension Yojana, stripping the “Samajwadi” tag, and was paused pending verification. This decision sparked debates, with critics arguing it disrupted aid to genuine beneficiaries.
Ahead of the 2022 UP Assembly elections, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav pledged to revive the scheme if elected, promising ₹18,000 annually (₹1,500 monthly) to BPL families, underprivileged women, and the elderly. Yadav highlighted that the scheme previously benefited 45 lakh families, particularly in regions like Bundelkhand, and emphasized its role in empowering women and marginalized communities. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with users claiming 55 lakh families benefited and expressing hope for enhanced aid.
Recent discussions on X indicate ongoing public interest, with demands for reinstating the scheme to provide financial stability to UP’s poorest. However, no official updates confirm its revival as of July 2025, and the scheme remains under review. The SSPY UP Pension List 2025, available on the official portal, allows beneficiaries to check their status, reflecting continued efforts to streamline social welfare delivery.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information sourced from credible web resources and posts on X. All India Press strives to provide accurate and real-time news, but readers are advised to verify details with official sources like http://sspy-up.gov.in for the latest updates. The views expressed in X posts are not conclusive and reflect public sentiment rather than verified facts.