Pensioners covered under the Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS-95) have launched a three-day protest at Jantar Mantar from March 9 to March 11, 2026, demanding an increase in the minimum monthly pension to ₹7,500, significantly higher than the current ₹1,000.
The protest aims to highlight the financial difficulties faced by retired workers who say the existing pension amount is insufficient to cover basic living expenses, especially in the absence of comprehensive medical support.
Key Demands of the Pensioners
The agitation is being organised by the EPS‑95 National Agitation Committee, which has been advocating for pension reforms for several years.
The group’s primary demands include:
- A minimum monthly pension of ₹7,500 for all EPS-95 beneficiaries
- Inclusion of dearness allowance (DA) with the pension
- Free medical treatment for pensioners and their spouses
Organisers say the demonstration represents the concerns of nearly 81 lakh pensioners who worked in various sectors, including government establishments, private companies and media organisations.
Concerns Over Low Pension Amount
Many pensioners claim that despite contributing to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for 30 to 35 years, they currently receive an average pension of around ₹1,171 per month.
According to representatives of the pensioners’ group, such a low pension makes it difficult for retirees to manage essential expenses such as healthcare, housing and daily living costs.
The protest at Jantar Mantar is also timed to coincide with the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, with organisers hoping to bring greater attention to their concerns among policymakers.
Attempts to Seek Government Support
The organisers have appealed to several senior leaders, including the Prime Minister, Union Ministers and Members of Parliament, requesting intervention to address their demands.
However, the pensioners claim that their repeated appeals have not yet led to meaningful action from authorities.
They also argue that the expansion of certain government welfare schemes for individuals who did not contribute to the pension system weakens the benefits for workers who made long-term contributions.
Concerns Over Exclusion from the Scheme
Another issue raised by the pensioners relates to individuals who were excluded from the EPS-95 framework.
They are demanding that such individuals receive a minimum pension of ₹5,000 per month, citing the judgment delivered by the EPFO vs Sunil Kumar B & Others (2022 Supreme Court Judgment) on November 4, 2022, which addressed matters related to higher pension eligibility.
Impact of Financial Challenges
The pensioners’ organisation has also highlighted the broader impact of financial strain on retirees. According to their estimates, 200 to 250 pensioners across India die prematurely each day due to economic hardship and limited access to healthcare.
These concerns have intensified calls for reforms to ensure adequate financial and medical support for retired workers under the EPS-95 system.
Summary:
Pensioners under the Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 have begun a three-day protest at Jantar Mantar from March 9 to 11, 2026, demanding a minimum pension of ₹7,500 with dearness allowance and free medical care. Organised by the EPS‑95 National Agitation Committee, the protest highlights concerns of around 81 lakh pensioners who say the current pension—averaging about ₹1,171 per month—is inadequate despite decades of contributions to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation. The group is also calling for ₹5,000 pensions for those excluded from the scheme, citing the 2022 Supreme Court judgment on higher pensions.
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