This study was conducted to understand the effectiveness of IGNOAPS of the Central Government and SSY of state government schemes in the state of Karnataka and its impact on the socio-economic conditions of elderly populations of the state. The study also aims to suggest a road map for policymakers in terms of amplifying the pension coverage for the poor and vulnerable elderly population in Karnataka.

The Government of India and the Government of Karnataka have initiated social security pension schemes for the aged, which are being implemented in Karnataka. The government of India initiated the ‘National Old Age Pension Scheme’ (NOAPS) for BPL people above the age of 60 years in 1995 (renamed Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme or IGNOAPS in 2007). The financing of the scheme is shared by the Central and State Governments. IGNOAPS is part of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). Apart from IGNOAPS, the Government of Karnataka also implements the state government senior citizen pension scheme known as Sandhya Suraksha Yojane (SSY) introduced in 2007. It intends to cover the larger section of poor elderly who may not be covered through IGNOAPS.

The objective of SSY, entirely funded by the Government of Karnataka, is to provide financial assistance to the eligible senior citizens of Karnataka while the objective of IGNOAPS is to provide a basic level of financial support to the destitute elderly. Given the vulnerabilities faced by the senior citizen population, it is pertinent to evaluate the senior citizen pension schemes IGNOAPS and SSY.