Andhra Pradesh’s social security pension rolls have declined by nearly three lakh beneficiaries over the past two years, even as enrolment under regular pension categories has remained closed, according to a report by public policy research organisation LibTech India.

The report, A Shrinking Safety Net, says that the number of sanctioned pensions fell from 65.18 lakh in July 2024 to 62.20 lakh in July 2026, a decline of 2.99 lakh beneficiaries (4.6%). It states that no fresh pensions under regular categories have been sanctioned since January 2024, a freeze that began during the previous government and has continued under the present administration.

“The main additions to the pension rolls during this period were spouse pensions transferred to widows following the death of pensioners,” said Karthik Reddy Panditi, a senior researcher at LibTech India. “Around 89,000 such pensions were added during a special drive in July 2025. However, these transfers largely continued existing household entitlements rather than extending pension coverage to new beneficiaries,” he told The Hindu.

Citing delays in implementing the government’s promise to provide pensions to eligible widows, Mr. Panditi said in April 2026, the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty estimated that 1.53 lakh widows qualified for pensions, and the government announced that payments would begin in June. “However, the pensions have not been added to the rolls even by July, leaving eligible widows without access as regular applications remained closed,” he said.

A.P. High Court order

“The report raises concerns over the absence of an effective grievance redressal mechanism for pension beneficiaries,” said Chakradhar Buddha, a senior researcher from LibTech India, referring to a May 2026 Andhra Pradesh High Court order that directed officials to restore the pensions of five beneficiaries in Srikakulam district after finding that due process had not been followed during cancellation. "The court observed that social security pensions are linked to the right of vulnerable citizens to live with dignity,” he said.

Concerns have also been expressed about the 2025 disability pension re-verification exercise, citing inadequate transparency in disability assessments, poor communication of assessment results and the lack of accessible appeal mechanisms. Mr, Chakradhar said travelling to assessment centres posed significant hardships for persons with severe disabilities, particularly those living in remote areas.

Regional disparities

The analysis found significant regional disparities in pension coverage, especially in the Scheduled Areas of Alluri Sitharama Raju and Parvathipuram-Manyam districts. Using the number of sanctioned pensions per 100 ration cards as an indicator, the report found that ASR district recorded a ratio of 39.64%, ranking among the lowest in the State despite Scheduled Tribe residents being eligible for old-age pensions at 50 years, compared to 60 years for the general categories.

Although Parvathipuram-Manyam recorded the State’s highest district-level ratio at 48.45%, substantial disparities existed within the district. Mandals with high ST populations, including Seethampeta, Gummalakshmipuram and Kurupam, recorded lower pension coverage than Seethanagaram, a non-Scheduled Area mandal,” said Mr. Chakradhar.

While acknowledging the State government’s substantial financial commitment of ₹27,719 crore allocated to NTR Bharosa pension scheme in the 2026–27 Budget and Andhra Pradesh’s highest per-capita pension expenditure among States, the LibTech report said this coincided with a shrinking beneficiary base and unequal access.

Published - July 24, 2026 07:52 pm IST