The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a ₹53,428 crore outlay for the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31. The decision, taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Department of Rural Development's proposal, is expected to benefit 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories.
The programme will be renamed the 'Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana', with its pension and family benefit components renamed as well, according to the official statement.
Disability pension overhauled
The sharpest change is to the disability pension. The benchmark disability required to qualify has been cut from 80 per cent to 40 per cent, and the minimum age criterion has been removed entirely, making persons with disabilities eligible for assistance from birth.
Monthly assistance under the revised disability pension will be ₹375 for beneficiaries aged up to 79 and ₹625 for those aged 80 and above. The government said the changes align the scheme with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which recognises a benchmark disability of 40 per cent. The new eligibility criteria and rates will be implemented within three months of the issuance of guidelines.
Other schemes continue unchanged
The pension schemes for the elderly and widows, along with the National Family Benefit Scheme, will continue in their existing form. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme becomes the 'Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana', the widow pension scheme becomes the 'Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana', the disability pension scheme becomes the 'Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana', and the family benefit scheme becomes the 'Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana'.
Launched on August 15, 1995, the NSAP provides assistance to poor households under Article 41 of the Constitution's Directive Principles of State Policy, with 100 per cent central assistance to keep support uniform across the country.
Sources:
- Cabinet clears ₹53,428 crore for social assistance scheme, revises disability pension norms
- Cabinet okays continuation of renamed Rs 53,428 crore National Social Assistance Programme for 5 years
The programme will be renamed the 'Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana', with its pension and family benefit components renamed as well, according to the official statement.
Disability pension overhauled
The sharpest change is to the disability pension. The benchmark disability required to qualify has been cut from 80 per cent to 40 per cent, and the minimum age criterion has been removed entirely, making persons with disabilities eligible for assistance from birth.
Monthly assistance under the revised disability pension will be ₹375 for beneficiaries aged up to 79 and ₹625 for those aged 80 and above. The government said the changes align the scheme with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which recognises a benchmark disability of 40 per cent. The new eligibility criteria and rates will be implemented within three months of the issuance of guidelines.
Other schemes continue unchanged
The pension schemes for the elderly and widows, along with the National Family Benefit Scheme, will continue in their existing form. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme becomes the 'Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana', the widow pension scheme becomes the 'Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana', the disability pension scheme becomes the 'Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana', and the family benefit scheme becomes the 'Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana'.
Launched on August 15, 1995, the NSAP provides assistance to poor households under Article 41 of the Constitution's Directive Principles of State Policy, with 100 per cent central assistance to keep support uniform across the country.
Sources:
- Cabinet clears ₹53,428 crore for social assistance scheme, revises disability pension norms
- Cabinet okays continuation of renamed Rs 53,428 crore National Social Assistance Programme for 5 years
