Kushthavastha Pension Scheme becomes a lifeline, thousands of Divyangjan receiving dignity and Support

Yogi govt increased the pension amount from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 per month

Number of beneficiaries increased from 4,765 to 13,667 in nine years

Pension amount being transferred directly into accounts through PFMS and e-payment system

Lucknow, May 2026 : Welfare schemes being implemented under the leadership of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are ensuring relief and security for the last person in society. In this sequence, the Kushthavastha Pension Scheme, operated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, has emerged as an important source of economic and social support for Divyangjan affected by leprosy.

At present, more than 13,000 beneficiaries in the state are being provided financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per month under this scheme. The scheme is meant for those individuals who become disabled after being affected by leprosy.

The objective of this scheme, run by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, is to provide regular financial assistance to economically weaker Divyangjan affected by leprosy. Under the scheme, all eligible Divyangjan are benefited who are permanent residents of Uttar Pradesh, whose family annual income does not exceed Rs 2 lakh, and who are not receiving benefits under any other government pension scheme.

Initially, beneficiaries were provided a pension of Rs 2,500 per month under the scheme, which was increased to Rs 3,000 per month in the year 2021 in view of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s sensitive approach and commitment towards welfare of the poor. This has provided additional financial support to beneficiaries and brought positive improvement in their standard of living.

While 4,765 beneficiaries were receiving benefits under the scheme in the financial year 2016-17, this number has increased to 13,667 in the financial year 2025-26.

Under the scheme, beneficiaries are selected on the basis of the disability certificate issued by the Chief Medical Officer. Under this scheme, those individuals are considered eligible who develop disability due to being affected by leprosy. A special feature is that there is no mandatory disability percentage fixed for persons affected by leprosy.

Pension amounts are transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the PFMS system and treasury e-payment arrangement, making the entire process transparent and effective.

The state government has also made the application process completely online. Eligible applicants can apply online through the sspy-up.gov.in portal and avail the benefits of the scheme. With the implementation of the digital system, people from rural and remote areas have also received convenience, and the problem of making unnecessary rounds of government offices has reduced.

Deputy Director of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Dr Amit Kumar Rai, said that through the Kushthavastha Pension Scheme, financial security is being provided to Divyangjan affected by leprosy, leading to continuous improvement in their standard of living.

He said, in accordance with the Chief Minister’s vision, eligible individuals are being provided benefits of the scheme in a timely and transparent manner.