Andhra Pradesh’s pension beneficiary numbers have fallen by almost three lakh in just two years, exposing serious gaps in welfare delivery under the TDP-led NDA government. According to a Lib Tech India July 2026 report, the total number of pensioners dropped from 65.18 lakh in July 2024 to 62.19 lakh in July 2026 — a decline of 2.99 lakh beneficiaries.
The sharpest fall has been recorded in tribal-dominated districts, particularly Alluri Sitarama Raju and parts of Parvathipuram Manyam. In Alluri Sitarama Raju, the pension-to-ration card ratio stands at a dismal 39.64 per cent — among the lowest in the state despite its large Scheduled Tribe population. Within the district, remote tribal mandals such as G. Madugula show even poorer coverage compared to better-connected areas like Paderu. In Parvathipuram Manyam, overall coverage is only 48.45 per cent, with tribal mandals lagging while non-scheduled areas like Seethanagaram reach 60.8 per cent.
A freeze on new regular pension enrolments is seen under the present TDP-led administration. For more than two years, no fresh pensions have been sanctioned under regular categories. Only spouse pensions have been transferred to widows of deceased beneficiaries. As a result, pension coverage has failed to expand to new households.
The government’s announcement to extend pensions to all eligible widows remains unimplemented. LibTech estimates that around 1.53 lakh eligible women are still outside the pension system. Disability pension beneficiaries have also faced serious difficulties during re-verification, raising concerns about transparency and accessibility.
Despite allocating a massive ₹27,719 crore for the NTR Bharosa pension scheme in the 2026-27 Budget, the actual number of beneficiaries continues to shrink. NTR Bharosa was one of the Super Six, and the hike from ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 was rolled out; they raised the payment per head while quietly reducing the number of heads. The manifesto promised a bigger cheque, not a wider net — and the net has been closed.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court had to intervene in Mar 2026 to restore pensions to five Srikakulam beneficiaries after finding they had been cancelled allegedly based on the recommendation of TDP MLA Bendalam Ashok Kumar, highlighting flaws in the cancellation process and the absence of an effective grievance redressal mechanism.
People across society have been urging for immediate reopening of enrolments, improving coverage in Scheduled Areas, and strengthening the grievance system. Yet the TDP government has so far preferred to defend the status quo rather than reverse the freeze or expand the rolls. High budgetary allocations and claims of welfare priority have not translated into increased coverage. Tribal communities and eligible widows remain the worst affected, while the beneficiary list continues to contract under the current administration.
