Cabinet Approves Continuation of National Social Assistance Programme

Union Cabinet under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi sanctioned the continuation of the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) for a period of five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore on 14th October 2026. This program would be renamed as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The sanction also includes certain modifications in the eligibility criteria of disability pension, whereas other pension schemes for senior citizens and widows, and the family benefit scheme shall remain unchanged.

NSAP Extension 2026-31: Key Details

This scheme will be managed by the Department of the Rural Development. This approval includes all the 36 States and UTs and is supposed to affect around 3.20 crore beneficiaries.

Aspect	Details
Existing Programme Name	National Social Assistance Program (NSAP)
New Name	Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
Implementing Department	Department of the Rural Development
Total outlay	₹53,428 crore
Duration of the Program	2026-27 to 2030-31
Beneficiaries	3.20 crore
Coverage	36 States and Union Territories
Main changes	Renaming of schemes and revised disability pension provisions

New Name for NSAP and the Sub-Schemes

The Cabinet cleared new names for NSAP and its four sub-schemes related to old-age pension, widow pension, disability pension, and family benefit.

The old-age pension, widow pension, and family benefit schemes would remain the same as they were earlier. Most of the changes introduced through this approval are related to disability pension scheme.

Existing Scheme Name	Approved New Name
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)	Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)	Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)	Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)	Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
National Family Benefit Scheme	Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana

Revised Disability Pension Scheme: Eligibility & Assistance

The Cabinet has made changes in relation to eligibility and assistance under the disability pension scheme, which is a part of the National Social Assistance Program. The changes are made in such a way that the threshold of disability in the scheme is in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Parameter	Revised provision
Name of scheme	Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
Threshold of disability	40% compared to the current 80%
Age minimum requirement	From birth
Assistance provided to people aged 0-79	₹375
Assistance provided to people aged 80 or above	₹625

It is clear from the PIB announcement that the assistance has been provided but no specific frequency of payments is provided in the given document. The operational guidelines will be issued within three months

Reasons Behind Change in the Disability Eligibility Criteria

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act of 2016 serves as the legal framework for the rights of people with disabilities.

According to the provisions of the Act, the definition of a person with benchmark disabilities is one who suffers from at least 40% of the specified disability, as certified by the relevant authority.

The change in the NSAP criteria lowers the percentage of disability required from 80% to 40%. Additionally, the Cabinet decision mentions that the minimum age requirement will be that of eligibility right from birth.

Background and Objective of NSAP

The National Social Assistance Program was established on 15th August 1995 to provide social assistance to poor families.

The National Social Assistance Programme is based on the obligation of the Central Government to extend public assistance in circumstances like old age, sickness, disablement, and other undeserving conditions.

The connection of the National Social Assistance Program can be made with Article 41 of the Constitution of India that falls in Part IV, Directive Principles of State Policy. Article 41 states that the State shall, in the limits of its economic capacity and development, strive to make provisions for public assistance in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.