Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on 1 October 2026 — the International Day of Older Persons — revealed that the state government distributes more than ₹1,100 crore every month in social security pensions to approximately 9.1 million beneficiaries across Rajasthan. Addressing senior citizens at his official residence in Jaipur, Sharma also personally transferred ₹684.21 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to 50,94,831 beneficiaries of the old-age pension scheme.

Scale of Social Security Coverage

The monthly outlay of over ₹1,100 crore underscores the breadth of Rajasthan's welfare apparatus for the elderly. Sharma said the state is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and self-reliance of senior citizens through a range of schemes. The DBT transfer on Thursday channelled funds directly into the accounts of more than 50 lakh old-age pension recipients in a single transaction, bypassing intermediaries.

Beyond pensions, the government is operating 53 nursing homes and seven Sant Shravan Kumar Kalyan Seva Ashrams to provide medical care, education, and essential facilities to older residents. Additionally, 36 Chief Minister Rehabilitation Homes and 17 Swayamsiddha Ashrams have been established to support the social well-being of elderly citizens.

Healthcare and Transport Concessions

Under the Ramashray Yojana, the state has set up dedicated Ramashray wards in 61 district hospitals to deliver targeted healthcare to senior citizens. On the transport front, those aged between 60 and 80 years receive a 50 per cent concession on state transport bus fares, while citizens aged 80 years and above travel free of charge.

The Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme has so far facilitated religious journeys for 1.12 lakh senior citizens, reflecting an attempt to address spiritual and cultural well-being alongside material welfare.

What the Chief Minister Said

Sharma emphasised the complementary relationship between generations, noting that while youth bring energy and new ideas, older citizens carry irreplaceable experience. 'When the energy of youth and the wisdom of senior citizens come together, social progress and national strength are further enhanced,' he said. He urged younger people to care for their parents and elders, calling their blessings invaluable. He also highlighted that senior citizens have witnessed transformative change across 75 to 80 years — spanning science and technology, food habits, clothing, and cultural values.

Government Officials and Participants

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot said the state honoured individuals and organisations across Rajasthan at district-level programmes for their contributions in various fields. Additional Chief Secretary (Social Justice and Empowerment) Dinesh Kumar and Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) Gayatri Rathore were among senior officials present. Senior citizens from districts across the state participated via video conferencing, and notable contributors were honoured with shawls, shriphal, and certificates of appreciation. Assistive devices were also distributed among beneficiaries.

Broader Context

Rajasthan's social security outlay is among the larger state-level pension programmes in India, though independent assessments of coverage gaps and adequacy of pension amounts remain limited. This comes amid a broader national conversation about ageing demographics — India's elderly population is projected to nearly double by 2050 according to United Nations data. Whether the current disbursement levels keep pace with inflation and rising healthcare costs will be a key question going forward.