Senior Citizen Card - Benefits, Eligibility, Documents Required & Application Process

Senior Citizenship card, issued and verified by the Revenue Department of the particular state, is a vital document that enables senior citizens above 60 years of age to avail themselves of various financial, health and tax benefits.  

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Senior citizens above 60 years of age can avail various financial, tax, and health benefits, as a part of social security and welfare programs using senior citizenship card. Senior citizens of the country must apply for senior citizenship cards to avail various incentives. Here is more detail about Senior citizenship cards. 

What is a Senior Citizen Card?

In India, individuals on turning 60 years of age, the State Government authorities issue a crucial identification document known as Senior Citizenship Card. This card serves as an alternative to Aadhaar Card for such individuals. The individual either needs to visit the official website or the ‘Sewa Kendra’ of the state they belong to, to avail themselves of this card. They need to submit the application form along with Rs.10 to obtain this card.

Eligibility Criteria for Senior Citizen Card

Given below are the eligibility criteria you will have to fulfill in order to apply for a Senior Citizenship Card:

  1. You must have an identity card and must be at least 60 years old.
  2. The aforementioned conditions must be satisfied in order to register online for a Senior Citizen Identification Card.
  3. You must have official documentation proving that you are a state permanent resident.
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Documents Required for Senior Citizen Card

Given below is the list of documents you will need to submit in order to apply for a Senior Citizenship Card:

Identity Proof

Address Proof

Age Proof

  1. Aadhaar Card
  2. Voter ID Card
  1. Passport
  2. Driving License
  3. Ration Card
  4. Pension Card
  5. Government issued photo identity card
  1. Bank certificate from the bank branch
  1. Passport
  2. Telephone bill which should be generated in your name
  3. Aadhaar Card
  1. Ration Card
  2. Voter ID Card
  3. Rental Agreement
  4. Record of revenue
  5. Registered sale deed
  1. Passbook of your bank account with your photo
  2. Certified voter list
  1. Birth certificate
  2. Passport
  1. PAN Card
  2. School Leaving Certificate

Benefits of Having a Senior Citizen Card

Mentioned below are a few benefits of owning a senior citizenship card -

  1. Offers preferential interest rates on FDs (Fixed Deposit) and RDs (Recurring Deposit)
  2. Offers tax exemption up to Rs.3 lakh in a financial year
  3. Discounted medical benefits at private hospitals
  4. Free medical facility at state-owned hospitals
  5. Senior citizens can request priority hearing dates at the Indian High Court using this card.
  6. Minimal registration charges provided along with priority installation facility at time of applying for MTNL and BSNL connections.
  7. Low charges applicable upon availing services from old age centers.
  8. The validity of the card is across the country.
  9. Discounts are offered on bus tickets offered by a state government-owned bus transport services company or air travel company.

Senior Citizen Card Application Form

Download the senior citizen card application form by the steps given below:

  1. Visit the official website of National Portal of India.
  2. Navigate to the application form page by typing ‘senior citizen identity card’ in the search bar.
  3. You will be redirected to a new page
  4. Click on the first link 'Application Form for Issue of Identity Card to Senior Citizen’.
  5. Click on the link to visit the ‘Application Form Page’.
  6. Select ‘Application Form for Issue of Identity Card to Senior Citizen’
  7. The application form will be downloaded to apply for senior citizen ID cards.
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How to Apply for a Senior Citizen Card

To apply for a senior citizenship card, you can follow either online or offline modes and here the steps to apply for this card:

Online

Here are the steps to apply for senior citizenship card online:

  1. Visit the official National Government Services Portal.
  2. Navigate to your respective state government page.
  1. Click on the option “Senior Citizen ID Card” 
  1. Log in by filling user ID and password; if new user, then register yourself 
  1. An application form will be displayed on your screen.
  2. Fill in the application form with all the details as mentioned.
  3. Upload all the supporting documents.
  4. Make the registration payment.
  5. Click on the ‘Submit’ tab to complete the application procedure.

Note: The card will be issued within seven days, once all the details are submitted.

Offline

Here are the steps to apply for senior citizenship card through offline mode:

  1. Visit the nearest local government party office or the General Tehsildar’s office in your locality.
  2. Consult a party representative to obtain the senior citizen card application form.
  3. Fill in the form with the required details.
  4. Attach the supporting documents.
  5. Make payment to complete the application procedure.

Note: You will receive your card within seven days. 

FAQs on Senior Citizen Card

  • How to apply for a Senior Citizen Card in India?

    You must sign up and submit the application form, two pictures, a form of identification with your current address, and a document stating your age, along with registration information. After that, you can continue the registration procedure.

  • Why is a Senior Citizen Card important?

    This document establishes the citizen's familial status for all official and legal purposes. The candidate can qualify for a variety of government projects, programs, benefits, etc. with the help of this certification.

  • How to apply for a Senior Citizen Card in Andhra Pradesh?

     You can click on the link https://apdascac.com/Welcome/seniorcitizen where you can apply for a senior citizenship card online or call the number '14567' to get more assistance regarding the application process.   

  • What is the minimum age to apply for a Senior Citizen Card?

    You must be aged 60 years and above to qualify as a senior citizen of the country. 

  • Where can I obtain a Senior Citizen Card in India?

    You will have to visit the state’s official website in which you reside or visit the general tehsildar’s office where you can obtain the application form, fill it, and submit it along will all the necessary documents.

  • What are the benefits of a Senior Citizen Card?

    You can enroll for various social security schemes and increase your income substantially if you open a senior citizen account. 

  • Who is eligible for the senior citizen scheme?

    If you are a citizen of India aged 60 years and above and have all the documents to prove you meet the eligibility criteria then you can apply for the senior citizenship scheme. 

  • After applying online, when will I receive my Senior Citizen Card?

    Within the allotted time, the card will be sent via postal service to your address. 

  • Is a photocopy of the Aadhaar card accepted as valid ID proof for Senior Citizen Card application?

    Xerox copies of Aadhar card can be used as identification documents.

  • Is a senior citizen card a valid government ID?

    Yes, senior citizenship card is a valid government ID proof as this is one of the official IDs granted to older residents in India is an older Citizen's ID Card. A Senior Citizen's Card is necessary to be eligible for benefits, privileges, and government aid.

  • Who issues senior citizen cards?

    State Governments issue Senior citizen Cards to Every individual above 60 years of age is issued with Senior Citizenship Card by the State Government.

  • How to get a duplicate senior citizen card?

    An individual can apply for a duplicate card from the National Government Services Portal in case they have lost their senior citizenship card.

  • What are the benefits of the senior citizen card?

    There are multitude of benefits of a Senior Citizenship Card as it can be used to avail preferential interest rates on banking products, discounted health treatment at hospitals, and many more.

  • What is the senior citizen program?

    The Government of India runs various welfare programs for senior citizens in the country such as, Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, formerly known as National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC). This is a society for the senior citizens aged above 60 years to live a healthy, empowered and self-reliant life. The Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) is of one of the senior citizen programs introduced by the Indian Government that offers tax benefits and secure investments for those above 60.

  • Do I need to pay any fee for a Senior Citizen Card?

    No, you need not to pay any fee to obtain a senior citizen card in India. But you need to meet the eligibility criteria, complete the application form and verification process for the card.

  • Can an NRI apply for a Senior Citizen card?

    No, NRI cannot apply for Senior Citizen card, and one must be a resident of India to apply for it.

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