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Cabinet Approves Continuation of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for 2026–31
Cabinet Approves Continuation of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for 2026–31
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The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) on 14 October 2026.
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The programme will continue for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31.
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The total approved financial outlay is ₹53,428 crore.
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The programme will be renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
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The approval covers approximately 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all States and Union Territories.
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The programme is administered by the Department of Rural Development.
New Names of NSAP and Its Sub-Schemes
The Cabinet approved new names for the main programme and its four sub-schemes.
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Existing Scheme Name
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New Approved Name
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National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
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Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
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Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
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Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
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Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
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Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
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Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)
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Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
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National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
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Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
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The old-age pension, widow pension and family benefit schemes will remain unchanged in their provisions.
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The major changes relate to the disability pension scheme, including revised eligibility criteria and assistance rates.
Revised Disability Pension Scheme
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The disability pension scheme will be renamed Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana.
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The minimum disability threshold will be reduced from 80% to 40%.
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The minimum eligible age will be from birth.
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Assistance for beneficiaries aged 0–79 years will be ₹375.
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Assistance for beneficiaries aged 80 years and above will be ₹625.
Reason for Revising Disability Eligibility
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The changes aim to align the scheme's eligibility criteria with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
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Under the Act, a person with benchmark disability generally requires at least 40% of a specified disability, certified by the competent authority.
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The revised NSAP criteria reduce the required disability percentage from 80% to 40%.
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The minimum age requirement is also being extended to eligibility from birth.
Background and Objectives of NSAP
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The National Social Assistance Programme was launched on 15 August 1995.
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It aims to provide social assistance to poor and vulnerable families.
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The programme reflects the Central Government's responsibility to provide public assistance in circumstances such as old age, sickness, disability and other conditions of vulnerability.
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NSAP is linked to Article 41 of the Constitution of India.
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Article 41 falls under Part IV — Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
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It directs the State, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, to make provisions for public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.
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