The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for another five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total budget of Rs 53,428 crore. The Ministry of Rural Development will oversee the programme, which serves 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 states and union territories. The approval also includes significant changes to the disability pension component and a rebranding of all scheme names under the Pradhan Mantri banner.
Key facts
- Total outlay: Rs 53,428 crore for five years (2026-27 to 2030-31)
- Beneficiaries: 3.20 crore people across 36 states and union territories
- Disability pension rates: Rs 375 per month for ages 0-79 years; Rs 625 per month for ages 80 and above
- Disability benchmark: Reduced from 80 per cent to 40 per cent
- Implementation timeline: New guidelines to be issued and put into effect within three months
- All five sub-schemes renamed under Pradhan Mantri branding
- Old age and widow pension schemes continue without changes
What has been renamed
The Cabinet has rebranded all component schemes under the Pradhan Mantri naming convention. The National Social Assistance Programme itself becomes Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme is now Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, the widow scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana, the disability scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, and the family benefit scheme is now Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.
Major changes to disability benefits
The most significant policy shift involves the disability pension component. The benchmark for disability eligibility has been substantially lowered from 80 per cent to 40 per cent. This means people with less severe disabilities will now qualify for the pension. Previously, only those with disabilities assessed at 80 per cent or higher could access the scheme.
The minimum age requirement has also been removed. The disability pension is now available from birth, whereas previously there may have been age restrictions. This allows parents or guardians to seek assistance for children with disabilities from the start.
Pension amounts have been increased. Beneficiaries aged 0 to 79 years will receive Rs 375 per month, while those 80 years and older will get Rs 625 per month. These increases align with requirements under the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016, which mandates that disability-related assistance be at least 25 per cent higher than assistance provided under comparable schemes for other categories.
What remains unchanged
The old age pension scheme and widow pension scheme will continue operating under their existing terms. No changes to eligibility, coverage or benefit amounts have been made to these components. The family benefit scheme, which provides assistance to households following the death of an income earner, also continues without modification.
Programme background and rationale
The National Social Assistance Programme was first launched on 15 August 1995 as a central government responsibility under Article 41 of the Constitution, which directs the state to provide social assistance in certain circumstances. The scheme operates with 100 per cent central funding to ensure uniform benefit levels across all states and union territories, irrespective of their resources.
The current revisions to disability provisions are driven by the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016. This law requires that disability pensions reflect a benchmark of 40 per cent disability rather than the previous 80 per cent standard, and mandates higher benefit levels for persons with disabilities compared to other assistance schemes.
What this means for you
If you have a disability and were previously ineligible because your disability rating fell below 80 per cent, you may now qualify for assistance under the revised 40 per cent threshold. People with disabilities will receive higher monthly payments, and families with disabled children can now access the pension from birth rather than waiting until a certain age.
Those already receiving old age or widow pensions will see no change to their current entitlements. State and union territory governments will need to update their administration systems to implement the new disability criteria and payment rates.
What happens next
The Ministry of Rural Development will issue detailed guidelines within three months that specify the revised eligibility criteria, beneficiary numbers and assistance rates for the disability pension scheme. These guidelines will govern how states and union territories implement the changes at the ground level.