In an era of digital governance, the term “APB subsidy amount” frequently appears in the bank statements of millions of Indians. This refers to the financial assistance provided by the government under various welfare schemes, directly credited to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB) system. This revolutionary mechanism, managed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has transformed the landscape of subsidy distribution, ensuring transparency, eliminating delays, and plugging leakages.
The “amount” of the APB subsidy is not a single, fixed figure but varies significantly depending on the specific government scheme. From cooking gas cylinders to agricultural support and social security pensions, the APB system is the backbone for a multitude of direct benefit transfer (DBT) initiatives.
How the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System Works
The APB system leverages the Aadhaar number as a unique identifier to route government benefits and subsidies directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. The process involves the concerned government department sending funds to a sponsor bank. This bank then utilizes the NPCI’s Aadhaar mapper – a repository linking Aadhaar numbers with bank account details – to transfer the precise subsidy amount to the recipient’s account, irrespective of the bank they hold their account with. This seamless process has been instrumental in eradicating middlemen and ensuring that the aid reaches the intended individuals in full and on time.
To receive these subsidies, it is imperative for individuals to have their bank account seeded with their Aadhaar number.
A Look at Key Subsidy Amounts Disbursed via APB
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the subsidy amounts under some of the prominent government schemes that utilize the APB system for direct benefit transfers:
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) – LPG Subsidy
Aimed at providing clean cooking fuel to women from below poverty line (BPL) households, the PMUY offers a targeted subsidy on LPG cylinders. For the fiscal year 2024-25, the government has approved a subsidy of ₹300 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per year for all PMUY beneficiaries.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
Under this scheme, eligible farmer families receive income support of ₹6,000 per year. This amount is disbursed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each, directly into their bank accounts. The 20th installment of the scheme is scheduled for disbursal in June 2025, continuing to provide crucial financial aid to the agricultural sector.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households. The wage rates under this scheme are revised annually and vary from state to state. For the financial year 2024-25, the wages range from ₹234 to ₹400 per day. For instance, Haryana has one of the highest daily wages at ₹400, while states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have a daily wage of ₹307. These wages are directly credited to the workers’ bank accounts through the APB system.
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
The NSAP is an umbrella program that includes several pension and benefit schemes for the poor and vulnerable. The financial assistance under its various components is as follows:
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): For individuals aged between 60 and 79 years, the pension amount is ₹200 per month. For beneficiaries aged 80 years and above, the amount increases to ₹500 per month.
- Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Widows aged between 40 and 79 years receive a monthly pension of ₹300, which increases to ₹500 for those aged 80 and above.
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Persons with severe disabilities (80% or more) in the age group of 18 to 79 years are entitled to a monthly pension of ₹300. This also increases to ₹500 for beneficiaries aged 80 and above.
- National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): In the event of the death of the primary breadwinner of a BPL family (aged 18-59), a one-time lump sum assistance of ₹20,000 is provided to the bereaved household.
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
This safe motherhood intervention under the National Health Mission aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional deliveries. The financial assistance provided to eligible pregnant women is:
- Rural Areas: ₹1,400 for an institutional delivery.
- Urban Areas: ₹1,000 for an institutional delivery.
- For BPL women opting for home delivery: A sum of ₹500 is provided.
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) also receive incentives for promoting institutional deliveries and providing associated care.
The “APB subsidy amount” is, therefore, a dynamic figure, a reflection of the government’s diverse and extensive social security net. The Aadhaar-enabled direct benefit transfer system has not only streamlined the delivery of these subsidies but has also empowered millions by ensuring their rightful entitlements reach them directly, fostering greater financial inclusion and accountability