In Rajasthan, the government runs a social-security pension scheme aimed at supporting vulnerable groups, including widows. The “Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate” is designed to provide a regular monthly cash assistance to widowed women who meet the eligibility criteria. This helps them meet basic needs and maintain dignity in the absence of the husband’s support. As of the latest guidelines, widows in Rajasthan are eligible for a pension amount of ₹ 1,000 per month if aged between 18 and 75 years, and ₹ 1,500 per month if aged 75 years or more under the scheme called Mukhyamantri Ekal‑Nari Samman Pension Yojana.
This article will walk you through what the Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate scheme is, the eligibility criteria, the required documents, how to apply, and renewal/maintenance.
What is the Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate?
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The Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate refers to the pension benefit provided under the wider social security pension framework, which covers widowed women who have no other adequate means of support.
Under this scheme:
- The state government provides a monthly pension directly into the beneficiary’s bank account.
- The amount is stratified: e.g., for widows aged 18-75 years, the pension is ₹ 1,000/month, and for those aged 75 years or more ,it is ₹ 1,500/month.
- The pension is subject to annual income limits and residence/domicile conditions and other criteria such as not receiving another pension, etc.
In essence, obtaining the “Widow Pension Certificate” or sanction under this scheme means you are approved as a beneficiary and will receive the monthly amount as long as you continue to meet the conditions.
Eligibility Criteria for Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate:
To apply for and receive the Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate, the applicant must meet the following key eligibility criteria:
- Residency/Domicile: The applicant must be a resident of Rajasthan.
- Widow status: The applicant must be a widow and has not remarried under the Ekal-Nari scheme, widows, destitute and divorced women are covered.
- Age criteria: For the Ekal-Nari scheme, it states that women aged more than 18 years are eligible and for higher pension the age of 75 years or more.
- Income threshold: The annual income of the beneficiary or her family must be below a specific limit for eligibility. No other pension/support: The scheme generally expects that the applicant should not be receiving any other major pension or support that covers her basic needs.
- Bank account and Aadhaar linkage: The applicant should have a bank account and Aadhaar or other identity proof, and meet any verification demands through the official portal.
Meeting these conditions is necessary before applying. If any criterion is not fulfilled, the application may be rejected.
Documents Required for Widow Pension Certificate Application:
When you apply for the Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate, you will typically need to submit the following documents:
- Aadhaar Card (identity proof) of the applicant.
- Residence proof / Rajasthan domicile certificate (or Bhamashah card, Jan Aadhaar, etc).
- Death certificate of the husband (to establish widow status).
- Proof of age of the applicant (birth certificate, school certificate, voter ID with DOB, etc).
- Income certificate or family income declaration showing annual income within the eligibility threshold.
- Bank account details/passbook (for receiving pension via DBT).
- Recent passport-size photograph of the applicant.
- Additional documents as required: e.g., for destitute or divorced women variant, but for widows it is mainly the above.
It is advisable to keep both original and copies of these documents, duly attested if required, and ensure your information is correct and up to date before submission.
How to Apply for Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for the Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate:
Obtain the application form:
Visit the official portal of the pension scheme: e.g., the RajSSP portal via SSO at https://sso.rajasthan.gov.in or https://ssp.rajasthan.gov.in. SSO ID+1
Alternatively, you can visit your nearest e-Mitra centre, Jan Seva Kendra or your local Block/Tehsil office where the form is available offline.
Fill the application form:
Fill in all required fields: personal details, bank details, spouse’s death details, income, address, etc.
Attach scanned / photocopied documents as required (photo, Aadhaar, income certificate, death certificate, bank passbook, proof of age, etc).
Submit the application:
If online: Upload the form and documents via the portal; enter your Jan Aadhaar / Bhamashah number and authenticate via OTP if required.
If offline: Submit the filled form along with attachments at the designated office (Block/Tehsil/ e-Mitra). Keep the acknowledgement receipt or token number.
Verification & sanction:
The department verifies your application: checks residence/domicile, income threshold, widow status, bank account, etc.
Once approved, a sanction order is issued for the pension certificate and your monthly pension begins.
Disbursement of pension:
After sanction, the monthly pension amount (₹ 1,000 per month if age 18-75, or ₹ 1,500 per month if age 75+) is transferred to your bank account via DBT.
Track your application status:
Use the portal or contact your local welfare/development office to check status (via the acknowledgement number or application ID). Many portals allow online status checking.
Renewal of Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate:
Once you are approved and receiving the pension, you must maintain your eligibility and comply with periodic verification to continue receiving it. Renewal/maintenance involves:
- Annual verification: The department may carry out periodic checks (once a year or as per rules) to ensure the beneficiary continues to meet the income, residence, and status criteria.
- Update changes: If your bank account changes, your address changes, or your Aadhaar details change, you must inform the department and update the portal to avoid disruption of payments.
- Maintain eligibility: If any condition changes (e.g., you receive another pension, you remarry, or your family income crosses the threshold), you may cease to be eligible. For example, if a widow remarries, she may lose eligibility (depending on scheme conditions).
- Life certificate / biometric verification: Some states require life certificates or biometric verification of pensioners. While Rajasthan’s scheme is for widows (not old-age pension per se), you should keep your bank account active and respond to any verification requests.
If you fail to undergo verification or meet updated criteria, the pension may be suspended or cancelled. It’s wise to keep a reminder and maintain your documentation in order.
Conclusion:
The Rajasthan Widow Pension Certificate is a valuable lifeline for widows who face financial vulnerability. With a monthly pension of ₹ 1,000 (for beneficiaries aged 18-75 years) and ₹ 1,500 (for those aged 75 years and above), the scheme under the Mukhyamantri Ekal-Nari Samman Pension scheme provides regular support. By meeting the eligibility conditions, furnishing the required documents, applying via the recommended online or offline channels, and staying compliant with renewal/verification procedures, eligible widows can access and continue to receive this benefit.
If you or a family member is a widow and meets the criteria, I strongly encourage you to apply and make full use of this scheme. It can significantly ease the financial burden and provide a more secure footing.
FAQ:
Q. How much pension does a widow receive under the scheme in Rajasthan?
A. Under the Mukhyamantri Ekal-Nari Samman Pension scheme, widow beneficiaries receive ₹ 1,000 per month if aged between 18 and 75 years, and ₹ 1,500 per month if aged 75 years or above.
Q. What is the minimum age requirement to apply?
A. The scheme requires women to be more than 18 years of age (i.e., 18+ years).
Q. Can a widow who is receiving some other pension apply?
A. Typically, if you are already receiving a government pension that adequately covers you, you may be ineligible. The scheme expects the widow to not have access to another major pension benefit. However, specific conditions may vary and you should check the scheme rules locally.
Q. How can I apply? Online or offline?
A. You can apply both online (via the RajSSP/SSO portal at https://sso.rajasthan.gov.in or https://ssp.rajasthan.gov.in) or offline (by visiting your local welfare office / e-Mitra / Jan Seva Kendra).