Arunachal cabinet raises social security pensions by Rs 300, lowers widow pension age to 18
The Arunachal Pradesh cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on 2 April 2025 raised old-age, disability and widow pensions by Rs 300 a month, lowered the widow pension age from 40 to 18, and extended the CM's Bal Seva Scheme to all registered orphans.
Summary
The Arunachal Pradesh cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on 2 April 2025 increased all three pensions under the Chief Minister's Social Security Scheme (old-age, disability and widow) by Rs 300 per month, and lowered the eligibility age for widow pension from 40 to 18 years, making the Chief Minister's Widow Pension Scheme universal. The changes are expected to benefit over 50,000 people at a cost of about Rs 18.50 crore a year. The cabinet also extended the Chief Minister's Bal Seva Scheme, earlier limited to COVID orphans, to all orphaned children registered on the Baal Swaraj Portal, living in Child Care Institutions or declared a 'Child in Need of Care and Protection' under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015; each child will get Rs 1,500 a month until 18, over and above Mission Vatsalya support. It further approved up to 50% SGST reimbursement for the 1,200 MW Kalai II hydro project in Anjaw district.
Key facts
- Decision date
- 2 April 2025, cabinet chaired by CM Pema Khandu
- Pensions
- Old-age, disability and widow pensions up by Rs 300 a month
- Widow pension
- Eligibility age lowered from 40 to 18 years
- Reach and cost
- Over 50,000 beneficiaries; about Rs 18.50 crore a year
- Bal Seva Scheme
- All registered orphans, Rs 1,500 a month until 18 (earlier only COVID orphans)
- Hydro
- Up to 50% SGST reimbursement for 1,200 MW Kalai II, Anjaw district
Practice MCQs 3 questions
By how much per month did the Arunachal Pradesh cabinet raise old-age, disability and widow pensions on 2 April 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Rs 300
The Arunachal Times and India Today NE: all three pensions under the Chief Minister's Social Security Scheme were increased by Rs 300 per month.
On 2 April 2025, Arunachal Pradesh lowered the eligibility age for widow pension from 40 years to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 18 years
The Arunachal Times and India Today NE: the age eligibility for widow pension was lowered from 40 to 18 years, making the Chief Minister's Widow Pension Scheme universal.
Under Arunachal Pradesh's extended Chief Minister's Bal Seva Scheme, approved on 2 April 2025, each registered orphaned child will receive monthly assistance of:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Rs 1,500
The Arunachal Times and India Today NE: children covered will get Rs 1,500 per month until the age of 18, in addition to Mission Vatsalya support; earlier only COVID orphans were covered.