These days, millions of pensioners across the country have many questions and expectations in their minds regarding the minimum pension to be received under the Employees Pension Scheme i.e. EPS-95. For a long time, there was a growing demand from various parts of the country to directly increase the minimum monthly pension from the current ₹1,000 to ₹7,500. Due to rising inflation, expenditure on medicines and unable to meet basic daily needs, elderly pensioners are eagerly waiting for some major decision of the government in this direction. Meanwhile, during the monsoon session of Parliament, a formal question was asked on this very sensitive issue in the Lok Sabha on August 10, after which the official reply from the government has made it clear what is the current situation regarding increasing the minimum pension and how long the pensioners may have to wait. Demand raised in Lok Sabha and official stand of the government: A direct question was put to the government by MP Ramveer Singh Bidhuri in the Lok Sabha whether any official plan to increase the minimum monthly pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS-1995) from ₹ 1,000 to ₹ 7,500 is under consideration of the government. Along with this, he had also sought details of the total number of pensioners and the beneficiaries after the Supreme Court's decision regarding pension on higher salaries. In a written reply to this question, Minister of State for Labor and Employment Shobha Karandlaje clarified that the government is currently giving a minimum pension of ₹ 1,000 per month to all eligible pensioners covered under the ambit of EPS-1995. To maintain this minimum amount, special budgetary support is also continuously provided by the Central Government. However, in this response of the government, no specific date has been announced for approving the demand of ₹ 7,500 with immediate effect or for implementing it, making it clear that for the time being the existing system will remain in force. Nationwide movement of pensioners and financial challenges. This whole matter is not limited to the Parliament only, but there is also a big social and organizational struggle behind it. Under the banner of 'EPS-95 National Agitation Committee', pensioners from across the country have been continuously protesting at many major places including the country's capital Delhi. Recently, on August 5, pensioners in Delhi had raised their voice strongly regarding these demands. Their main demands include increasing the minimum monthly pension to ₹7,500 as well as adding the benefit of Dearness Allowance (DA) to it. However, on the other hand, the government is also facing a big challenge due to its financial limitations and future economic liabilities. According to the available data, till March 31, 2026, more than 85,84,604 pensioners across the country are receiving pension every month through EPS, on which a total amount of more than ₹ 15,819 crore has been distributed so far. Given such a huge pensioner base, a huge lump sum increase in the minimum pension could put a huge financial burden on the government exchequer, due to which the government is taking a cautious step. Statistics of release of pension and PPO on higher salary: Amidst all this development, the government has also given relief to those employees who were fighting the legal battle for pension on higher salary for a long time. Following the Supreme Court's historic 4 November 2022 judgment, eligible employees and employers were allowed to opt for a higher pension based on the Actual Basic Salary. According to the information given by the government, under this legal process and rules, a total of 1,49,806 Pension Payment Orders i.e. PPOs have been issued so far for the eligible applicants who have retired. This simply means that while on one hand a few select beneficiaries of the higher salary category are getting its legal benefits, on the other hand, for crores of pensioners of the general category, the demand for minimum pension of ₹ 7,500 currently remains only on paper and officially only the minimum monthly pension of ₹ 1,000 is in effect.
