Kerala’s communist-led government will include Catholic nuns in a social security pension scheme for older unmarried women.
On 28 January, state officials announced that the Kerala cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, approved a monthly pension of 1,600 rupees for Catholic nuns aged 50 and above. The pension scheme is designed for women without a regular source of income or family support.
The decision comes months before state elections expected in April, in which the current government is seeking a third consecutive term in office.
Under the revised policy, pension benefits will now apply to eligible women living in religious institutions such as convents, monasteries, temples, ashrams and similar residential communities.
Previously, Catholic nuns had been excluded from the scheme. Government officials had argued that nuns were ineligible because they had chosen a celibate life for religious reasons, despite meeting other criteria for support. Two earlier government orders, issued in July 2021 and February 2023, had reinforced this exclusion and also affected women living in old-age homes.
Church representatives say the new cabinet decision corrects an unjust policy. Father Michael Pulickal, secretary of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council’s Commission for Social Harmony and Vigilance, said Catholic nuns had been unfairly denied their rights as citizens.
He explained that church leaders had repeatedly appealed to the government to end what they viewed as discriminatory treatment of women who had devoted their lives to education, healthcare and social service. He also expressed hope that the announcement would be implemented without delay.
Political analysts have suggested that the move may be aimed at rebuilding public support following setbacks for the ruling coalition in recent local elections, where the opposition Congress party gained ground.
However, leaders of women’s religious communities have focused on the principle behind the decision. Sister Ardra Kuzhinapurathu, head of the Kerala Conference of Major Superiors, welcomed the government’s acknowledgement that previous policies were wrong.
In a statement released on 29 January, she rejected claims that religious congregations fail to care for their members or that nuns were seeking unfair benefits. She said such accusations had caused misunderstanding and distrust, but believed the public would recognise their lack of truth.
Sister Ardra also highlighted the long-standing contribution of Christian missionaries in India, noting their work in education, healthcare and social development. She said these efforts remain an important part of the nation’s progress.
Adapted from UCA news.
