For Prelims: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Social Security Pension, Old-Age Pension, Total amount transferred, Total beneficiaries, Largest scheme by beneficiaries, Beneficiaries without Aadhaar, Transfer mode
For Mains: Social security, DBT, financial inclusion, welfare state, vulnerable groups, last-mile delivery
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami released ₹148.18 crore pension for October 2026.
- A total of 9,99,484 beneficiaries received social security pension via DBT.
- Old-age pension covered 6,24,616 beneficiaries with ₹93.69 crore.
- 7,000 beneficiaries without Aadhaar received pension under special provisions.
- The pension was released ahead of Diwali festival.
Why in the news?
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami released ₹148.18 crore as October social security pension to 9,99,484 beneficiaries via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ahead of Diwali. The largest share went to 6.24 lakh elderly under the old-age pension scheme (₹93.69 crore). Notably, 7,000 beneficiaries without Aadhaar still received payment through special provisions.
Summary
- Uttarakhand government disbursed ₹148.18 crore as social security pension for October to nearly 10 lakh beneficiaries through DBT ahead of Diwali.
- Old-age pension covered the most beneficiaries: 6,24,616 elderly received ₹93.69 crore.
- 7,000 beneficiaries without Aadhaar received pension under special provisions to ensure no needy person is left out.
Highlights
₹148.18 Crore Pension Disbursed
Uttarakhand government transferred social security pension to 9,99,484 beneficiaries for October via DBT ahead of Diwali.
Old-Age Pension Largest Component
6,24,616 elderly beneficiaries received ₹93.69 crore, making up the largest share of the total disbursement.
Aadhaar Not Mandatory for 7,000
Special provisions allowed 7,000 beneficiaries without Aadhaar to receive pension, ensuring inclusion.
Background
Uttarakhand runs multiple social security pension schemes for vulnerable groups: elderly, widows, disabled, farmers, abandoned women, and others. These are funded by the state government and disbursed monthly via DBT to ensure direct transfer to beneficiaries, reducing leakage and delays.
Key Analysis and Impact
The pre-Diwali disbursement provides timely financial relief to nearly 10 lakh families, especially in a hilly state where many elderly and disabled have limited income sources. The old-age pension (₹93.69 crore to 6.24 lakh people) is the backbone of social security in Uttarakhand. The inclusion of 7,000 beneficiaries without Aadhaar through special provisions reflects a flexible, people-first approach to welfare delivery.
Way Forward
Regular, timely DBT payments strengthen social security coverage. The state may expand the special Aadhaar exemption to cover more excluded beneficiaries. Continued focus on transparency and last-mile delivery will be key to ensuring no eligible person is left out.
Uttarakhand connection
Matters for these Uttarakhand exams:UKPSC 8/10UKSSSC 7/10
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- A government scheme that transfers subsidies and benefits directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries, reducing intermediaries and leakage.
- Social Security Pension
- A regular monetary assistance provided by the government to vulnerable groups such as elderly, widows, disabled, and destitute to ensure a minimum standard of living.
- Old-Age Pension
- A social security scheme providing monthly financial support to senior citizens who have no or limited income, often funded by state or central governments.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: ₹148.18 crore transferred to 9,99,484 beneficiaries in October 2026
- Nodal Body: Social Welfare Department, Government of Uttarakhand
- Legal Point: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may swap 'old-age pension' with 'widow pension' as the largest component, or claim the total amount was ₹93.69 crore (which is only the old-age pension share).
Write these in mains answers
- Social security, DBT, financial inclusion, welfare state, vulnerable groups, last-mile delivery
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The Uttarakhand government sent pension money directly to the bank accounts of nearly 10 lakh elderly, widows, and disabled people before Diwali. The total amount was ₹148.18 crore. Most of it went to old-age pensioners. Even 7,000 people who do not have an Aadhaar card got their pension, so no one is left out just because they lack documents.
- Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami released ₹148.18 crore pension for October 2026.
- A total of 9,99,484 beneficiaries received social security pension via DBT.
- Old-age pension covered 6,24,616 beneficiaries with ₹93.69 crore.
- 7,000 beneficiaries without Aadhaar received pension under special provisions.
- The pension was released ahead of Diwali festival.
- Governance: Social welfare schemes and DBT
- Geography: Uttarakhand: state profile
Related concepts: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Social Security Pension, Old-Age Pension
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Medium
Which department is primarily responsible for implementing social security pension schemes in Uttarakhand?
Explanation: That the pension was released by the CM and officials from the Social Welfare Department were present. Social security pensions are administered by the state's Social Welfare Department. The central Ministry of Rural Development handles national schemes like NSAP, not this state-specific disbursement. The Department of Pension handles central government employees' pensions, not state social security pensions. The Finance Department handles budget allocation but not scheme implementation.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the Uttarakhand social security pension disbursement:
- 1.The total amount transferred was ₹148.18 crore to 9,99,484 beneficiaries.
- 2.The largest number of beneficiaries were under the widow pension scheme.
- 3.7,000 beneficiaries without Aadhaar received pension through special provisions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the total amount was ₹148.18 crore for 9,99,484 beneficiaries. Statement 2 is incorrect: the largest number of beneficiaries (6,24,616) were under the old-age pension scheme, not the widow pension scheme. Statement 3 is correct: 7,000 beneficiaries without Aadhaar received pension through special provisions. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Easy
How many elderly beneficiaries received old-age pension under this Uttarakhand social security pension disbursement?
Explanation: 6,24,616 elderly beneficiaries received ₹93.69 crore under the old-age pension scheme. 2,39,527 is the number of widow pension beneficiaries. 89,971 is the number of disability pension beneficiaries. 9,99,484 is the total number of all beneficiaries across all schemes.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the special provision that allowed 7,000 beneficiaries without Aadhaar to receive pension?
Explanation: The provision's objective is that no needy person should be left out of social security due to lack of documents. While promoting Aadhaar enrolment may be a side effect, the primary aim is inclusion of those who cannot obtain Aadhaar due to age or disability.
Frequently asked questions
1. How much pension did the Uttarakhand government disburse in October 2026?
The Uttarakhand government disbursed ₹148.18 crore as social security pension for October 2026 to 9,99,484 beneficiaries.
2. Which pension scheme had the highest number of beneficiaries in this disbursement?
The old-age pension scheme had the highest number with 6,24,616 beneficiaries receiving ₹93.69 crore.
3. Did beneficiaries without Aadhaar receive pension in this disbursement?
Yes, 7,000 beneficiaries without Aadhaar received pension through special provisions to ensure no needy person is excluded.
4. Who is the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand?
Pushkar Singh Dhami is the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.
All sources
- Original5 November 2026 · Read story
