AP EBC Nestham is the scheme that gives Rs 15,000 a year to women from Economically Backward Classes in Andhra Pradesh who are aged 45 to 60. It was launched in 2021 as the counterpart of YSR Cheyutha and Kapu Nestham, for women from communities that are not covered by the SC, ST, BC or Kapu schemes. This guide explains who could get the money, what documents were needed, and what the current status of AP EBC Nestham is in 2026.

The amount of Rs 15,000 a year was paid as a single annual instalment directly into the woman’s bank account. There was no fee to apply, and applications were taken through the Village and Ward Secretariats. If you are looking for the scheme today, read the current status section first, because AP EBC Nestham was a scheme of the 2019-2024 government and no fresh payments have been announced under the current government.

What Is AP EBC Nestham?

AP EBC Nestham is a financial assistance scheme for women from Economically Backward Classes, that is, women from upper-caste communities who are poor but do not get the benefits meant for SC, ST and BC communities. The government launched it in December 2021, after the success of YSR Cheyutha and Kapu Nestham, so that no poor woman in the 45 to 60 age group was left out.

The scheme paid Rs 15,000 a year to each eligible woman, directly into her bank account. The money was meant to help with household expenses and to give older women a small, regular income of their own. Like the other Nestham schemes, AP EBC Nestham was run through the Village and Ward Secretariats, and the list of beneficiaries was prepared from the secretariat database.

To understand where EBC Nestham fits, compare it with the two sister schemes. YSR Cheyutha paid Rs 18,750 a year to SC, ST, BC and minority women aged 45 to 60. Kapu Nestham paid Rs 15,000 a year to Kapu women aged 45 to 60. AP EBC Nestham paid the same Rs 15,000 a year to women from other communities, such as Brahmin, Vysya, Kamma, Reddy and similar EBC communities. A woman could get only one of the three schemes, not two or three together.

Who Was Eligible for AP EBC Nestham?

These conditions applied for AP EBC Nestham:

• The applicant must be a woman aged 45 to 60 years.
• She must belong to an Economically Backward Class, that is, a community that is not SC, ST, BC or Kapu. The community is shown on the caste certificate.
• Her family income must be below Rs 2.5 lakh a year.
• She must be a resident of Andhra Pradesh.
• She must have a bank account in her own name, linked to Aadhaar, so that the money can be paid by Direct Benefit Transfer.
• She must not already be a beneficiary of YSR Cheyutha or Kapu Nestham.

Widows, single women and women with disabilities in the age group were also eligible, as long as they met the other conditions. The age was counted from the date of birth on the Aadhaar card or the birth certificate. If the age on the documents was wrong, it had to be corrected before applying. For the documents you need, see how to get a caste certificate in AP and an income certificate in AP.

How Much Money Did AP EBC Nestham Pay?

AP EBC Nestham paid Rs 15,000 a year to each eligible woman, as a single instalment. The amount was credited directly to the woman’s bank account, and there was no middleman. The government released the money in one go each year, usually in December, and the payment was announced in advance.

Over the years the scheme ran, a woman who stayed eligible received Rs 15,000 every year. The scheme did not pay a monthly amount, and it did not pay a lump sum for the whole period. It was a yearly assistance, and it stopped when the woman turned 60, because at 60 she becomes eligible for the old-age pension under NTR Bharosa, which pays Rs 4,000 a month.

Documents Required for AP EBC Nestham

These documents were needed to apply for AP EBC Nestham:

• Aadhaar card of the woman.
• Caste or community certificate showing that she belongs to an EBC community.
• Income certificate of the family, showing income below Rs 2.5 lakh a year.
• Bank account passbook in the woman’s name.
• Age proof, such as the birth certificate or the date of birth on the Aadhaar card.
• Rice card or ration card of the family.
• Mobile number linked to Aadhaar, for payment messages.

All the certificates could be applied for on the MeeSeva portal at meeseva.ap.gov.in. Keep the originals for verification and give photocopies to the secretariat. Do not give your original certificates or your bank passbook to any agent.

How to Apply for AP EBC Nestham

Follow these steps, which were used when the scheme was open for applications:

1. Visit the nearest Village or Ward Secretariat with your Aadhaar card, caste certificate, income certificate and bank passbook.
2. Ask the secretariat staff whether your name is in the EBC Nestham beneficiary list. The list was prepared from the secretariat database, so many eligible women were already listed.
3. If your name was not in the list, submit an application at the secretariat with the documents. The staff would enter your details and give you an acknowledgement.
4. The application was verified by the secretariat and the welfare department.
5. On approval, the Rs 15,000 was credited to your bank account by Direct Benefit Transfer, and a message was sent to your mobile number.

There was no separate online portal where a woman could apply for AP EBC Nestham by herself. The secretariat was the only channel. That is also why the first step today is to visit the secretariat and ask about the current status, as explained below.

Current Status of AP EBC Nestham in 2026

AP EBC Nestham was launched by the YSRCP government in 2021 and ran till 2024. The government changed in June 2024, and the new government has not announced fresh EBC Nestham payments. As of November 2026, there is no open application for AP EBC Nestham and no new instalment has been released under this scheme name.

This does not mean the idea is gone. Women in the 45 to 60 age group who need support can use the schemes that are live now. The most useful ones are:

• YSR Aasara for women in self-help groups, whose loan repayment instalments are still being cleared.
• NTR Bharosa pension of Rs 4,000 a month from the age of 60, and Rs 6,000 a month for widows and single women in some categories.
• Stree Shakti free bus travel for women in RTC buses across the state.
• Self-employment loans under MUDRA and PMEGP for women who want to start a small business. See our guide to MUDRA Loan in AP.

If you were an EBC Nestham beneficiary and your payment stopped, visit the Village or Ward Secretariat and ask whether the scheme has been closed or merged into another scheme. Do not pay anyone who promises to restart your EBC Nestham payment. The Andhra Pradesh government’s portal is ap.gov.in, and scheme announcements are made there first.

Frequently Asked Questions About AP EBC Nestham

How much did AP EBC Nestham pay?

Rs 15,000 a year, paid as a single instalment directly into the woman’s bank account.

Who was eligible for AP EBC Nestham?

Women aged 45 to 60 from Economically Backward Classes, with family income below Rs 2.5 lakh a year, who were not already getting YSR Cheyutha or Kapu Nestham.

Is AP EBC Nestham still running in 2026?

No. The scheme ran from 2021 to 2024 under the previous government, and no fresh payments or applications have been announced under the current government as of November 2026. Check at the Village or Ward Secretariat for the latest position.

Can I apply for AP EBC Nestham now?

There is no open application for AP EBC Nestham now. If the government reopens the scheme, applications will be taken at the Village or Ward Secretariat, as before.

What is the difference between EBC Nestham, Kapu Nestham and YSR Cheyutha?

All three paid yearly assistance to women aged 45 to 60. YSR Cheyutha paid Rs 18,750 a year to SC, ST, BC and minority women. Kapu Nestham paid Rs 15,000 a year to Kapu women. AP EBC Nestham paid Rs 15,000 a year to women from other Economically Backward Classes. A woman could get only one of the three.

Final Word

AP EBC Nestham gave Rs 15,000 a year to EBC women aged 45 to 60, filling the gap left by YSR Cheyutha and Kapu Nestham. It ran from 2021 to 2024, and as of November 2026 it is not open for fresh applications. If you were a beneficiary, keep your documents safe and check at the secretariat for any new announcement. For other scheme updates and payment news, see our roundup of Andhra Pradesh schemes in August 2026.

Last updated: November 2026