Kapu Nestham in AP pays Rs 15,000 a year to women of the Kapu community aged 45 to 60, as a direct financial support for their household and livelihood needs. This guide explains who the scheme covers, how much is paid, what documents are needed, and what its current status is in 2026.
| Scheme | YSR Kapu Nestham |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Benefit | Rs 15,000 a year |
| Who it covers | Kapu women aged 45 to 60 years |
| Payment | Once a year, directly to the woman’s bank account |
| Launched | June 2020 |
| Community | Kapu, including Balija, Telaga and Ontari |
What Is Kapu Nestham?
YSR Kapu Nestham is Andhra Pradesh’s financial assistance scheme for women of the Kapu community. It pays Rs 15,000 a year to Kapu women between the ages of 45 and 60, credited directly to the woman’s bank account. The money is meant to support the household, meet health and daily needs, and give the woman a small independent income in the years before she becomes eligible for an old-age pension.
The scheme was launched in June 2020. It covers the Kapu community, including its sub-castes Kapu, Balija, Telaga and Ontari. It is one of a set of community-based women’s schemes: YSR Cheyutha pays Rs 18,750 a year to SC, ST, BC and minority women aged 45 to 60, and the EBC Nestham scheme supports EBC women in the same age group. Kapu Nestham is the Kapu community’s parallel scheme.
Who Is Eligible for Kapu Nestham?
To receive Kapu Nestham, a woman must meet these conditions:
- Community: the woman must belong to the Kapu community, including Balija, Telaga or Ontari.
- Age: the woman must be between 45 and 60 years old.
- Residence: the woman must be a resident of Andhra Pradesh.
- Income: the family’s annual income must be below Rs 2.5 lakh.
- No government employee: no member of the family should be a government employee or pensioner.
- No income tax payer: no member of the family should be paying income tax.
- No four-wheeler: the family should not own a four-wheeler, except a taxi, tractor or auto.
- Land limit: the family should not own more than 10 acres of wet land or 25 acres of dry land.
Women who are already receiving a government pension, such as the old-age pension under the NTR Bharosa pension scheme, should check with the secretariat whether they can receive both, because the pension and the Nestham amount are separate benefits with their own rules.
Documents Required for Kapu Nestham
Keep these ready before applying:
- Aadhaar card of the woman.
- Caste certificate showing that the woman belongs to the Kapu community. See our guide to the caste certificate in AP.
- Income certificate showing family income below Rs 2.5 lakh a year. See our guide to the income certificate in AP.
- White ration card — the card number is used for verification. If your card’s e-KYC is pending, finish the ration card e-KYC in AP first.
- Bank account details — account number and IFSC, with the account linked to Aadhaar.
- Age proof — Aadhaar or another document showing the date of birth.
How to Apply for Kapu Nestham
Applications for Kapu Nestham are made through the Village or Ward Secretariat:
- Visit the nearest Village or Ward Secretariat with the documents listed above.
- Fill the application form for Kapu Nestham and submit the caste and income certificates.
- The welfare assistant will verify the community, age and income details.
- The application is forwarded to the district authorities for approval.
- Once approved, the amount of Rs 15,000 a year is credited to the woman’s bank account.
- Check the credit in the bank passbook and keep the acknowledgement safe.
Applications can also be made at MeeSeva centres. The AP government portal at ap.gov.in links to the welfare departments, and the MeeSeva portal at meeseva.ap.gov.in lists the citizen services available at MeeSeva centres.
How Much Is Paid and When?
Kapu Nestham pays Rs 15,000 once a year. The amount is credited in a single instalment to the woman’s bank account, usually in the first half of the financial year. Because it is an annual payment, a woman who becomes eligible during the year should apply promptly so that she does not miss that year’s credit. The amount is paid by direct benefit transfer, so the bank account must be linked to Aadhaar and must be active.
Current Status of Kapu Nestham in 2026
Kapu Nestham was launched in 2020, and its name and form may have changed under the present government. Women of the Kapu community aged 45 to 60 should confirm the current status, the name of the scheme and the application dates at the Village or Ward Secretariat or the AP Kapu Welfare and Development Corporation before applying. Do not assume that the scheme is running under the same name, and do not pay anyone who promises to get the amount released. The secretariat is the correct place to confirm whether the benefit is being paid in the current year and what documents are needed.
Kapu Nestham vs YSR Cheyutha and EBC Nestham
The three Nestham schemes cover different communities in the same age group. Kapu Nestham pays Rs 15,000 a year to Kapu women aged 45 to 60. YSR Cheyutha pays Rs 18,750 a year to SC, ST, BC and minority women aged 45 to 60. EBC Nestham pays Rs 15,000 a year to EBC women aged 45 to 60. A woman belongs to only one of these communities, so she should apply under the scheme meant for her own community. Applying under the wrong community’s scheme will lead to rejection at the verification stage.
Women in self-help groups should also read about YSR Aasara in AP, which repaid the outstanding bank loans of SHG women, and about Stree Shakti, which gives free bus travel to women across the state.
Common Problems and Solutions
Caste certificate not showing Kapu: get the caste certificate corrected at the secretariat, because the community must match the Kapu, Balija, Telaga or Ontari entry. Age below 45 or above 60: the scheme covers only the 45 to 60 age group; women above 60 should check the old-age pension instead. Payment not credited: confirm that the bank account is Aadhaar-linked and active, and check the application status at the secretariat. Income certificate outdated: get a current income certificate, because an old certificate can lead to rejection. Applied under the wrong scheme: withdraw and re-apply under the scheme for your own community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kapu Nestham in AP
How much does Kapu Nestham pay?
Rs 15,000 a year, paid once a year directly to the woman’s bank account.
Who can apply for Kapu Nestham?
Women of the Kapu community, including Balija, Telaga and Ontari, aged 45 to 60, who are residents of Andhra Pradesh and meet the income and family conditions.
Can a Kapu woman also get YSR Cheyutha?
No. YSR Cheyutha is for SC, ST, BC and minority women. A Kapu woman should apply under Kapu Nestham, which is the scheme for her community.
Is Kapu Nestham still running in 2026?
Confirm the current status at the Village or Ward Secretariat or the AP Kapu Welfare and Development Corporation, because the scheme’s name and form may have changed under the present government.
Final Word
Kapu Nestham in AP pays Rs 15,000 a year to Kapu women aged 45 to 60, giving them a direct annual support for household and daily needs. Keep your caste and income certificates ready, confirm the current status of the scheme at the Village or Ward Secretariat, and check the credit in your bank passbook. For the wider picture of women’s welfare this year, see our guide to Andhra Pradesh schemes in August 2026.
Last updated: November 2026