Uttarakhand government simplifies Divyang Pension Scheme

In line with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s announcement, the Uttarakhand government has simplified the Divyang Pension Scheme, bringing it in alignment with the Old Age Pension Scheme under the Social Welfare Department.

According to a government release, the move aims to ease access to benefits for eligible citizens.

Following CM Dhami’s directive, Secretary of Social Welfare Sridhar Babu Addanki issued a letter to the Director of Social Welfare outlining the changes.

As per the revised guidelines, beneficiaries under the Divyang Pension Scheme—who meet the monthly income eligibility limit of ₹4,000—will now be entitled to the pension even if their sons or grandsons are above 20 years of age. The same eligibility applies to Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiaries whose male family members are 20 or older.

Earlier in the day, CM Dhami inaugurated the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Khatima, built at a cost of ₹26.23 crore, during a programme held as part of the All India Education Samagam in the town. On the occasion, he also planted saplings in the school campus, calling the event a moment of “joy and pride” for the region.

“These are moments of joy and pride for all. On the historic occasion of the completion of five years of the new revolution in the field of education in the country, a new era of knowledge and science is also beginning in Khatima,” the Chief Minister said.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, CM Dhami said the new Kendriya Vidyalaya would be a major asset to children of the armed forces, paramilitary personnel, and others.

Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) 2025 in New Delhi on the same day. Held to commemorate five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the event brought together academicians, educators, industry leaders, and policymakers to reflect on the progress made under NEP and to map out future directions for India’s education system.