The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total outlay of Rs 53,428 crore. The decision includes changes in the scheme’s name, revised eligibility criteria and enhanced pension assistance for persons with disabilities, while pension schemes for the elderly and widows and the family benefit scheme will continue in their existing form.
According to the Ministry of Rural Development, the approval is expected to benefit 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal on October 14, 2026.
Renaming the schemes
Under the approved changes, the National Social Assistance Programme will be renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Its old-age pension component, the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, will become Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana. The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme will be renamed Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana, while the disability pension component will be called Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana. The National Family Benefit Scheme will be renamed Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.
Changes in monthly assistance
The key changes concern pension assistance for persons with disabilities. The monthly assistance will be Rs 375 for beneficiaries aged up to 79 years and Rs 625 for those aged 80 years and above. The government has also relaxed the benchmark disability requirement from the existing 80 per cent to 40 per cent. In addition, the minimum age eligibility condition has been removed, allowing eligibility from birth.
The revisions are intended to align the disability pension scheme with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which provides for a benchmark disability threshold of 40 per cent. The legislation also requires disability-related assistance to be at least 25 per cent higher than assistance under comparable schemes for other categories.
The old-age and widow pension schemes and the family benefit scheme will continue in their existing form, with no changes announced in the Cabinet decision for these components.
The Ministry of Rural Development will issue revised guidelines covering eligibility conditions, beneficiary numbers and assistance rates under the disability pension scheme. These guidelines are to be issued and implemented within three months.
Launched on August 15, 1995, the NSAP provides social assistance to poor households and fulfils the Central Government’s responsibility under Article 41 of the Constitution’s Directive Principles of State Policy. The programme provides 100 per cent central assistance to ensure uniform availability of support to eligible beneficiaries across the country.