Cabinet approves continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31

Why in News?

On 14 October 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31. 

Key Features

• Financial outlay: ₹53,428 crore for five years.
• Renaming of the scheme: NSAP will be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
• Beneficiaries: Approximately 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories are expected to benefit.
• Disability pension: The eligibility criteria, coverage and financial assistance under the disability pension scheme have been revised.
• Continuation of existing schemes: Pension schemes for older persons and widows, along with the family benefit scheme, will continue in their existing form.

Renaming of Schemes

Existing scheme	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

Changes in Disability Pension

• Revised pension assistance:
  • ₹375 for persons aged 0–79 years.
  • ₹625 for persons aged 80 years and above.
• Benchmark disability criterion: Reduced from 80% to 40%.
• Minimum age criterion: Disability pension eligibility will extend from birth.
• Implementation: Revised guidelines covering eligibility, beneficiary numbers and assistance rates will be issued and implemented within three months.

Background

• NSAP was launched on 15 August 1995 to provide social assistance to poor households.
• It fulfils the Central Government’s responsibility under Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) of the Constitution.
• The programme provides 100% central assistance to ensure uniform availability of support to beneficiaries across the country.
• The changes in disability pension eligibility are linked to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which recognises benchmark disability at 40% and requires disability-related assistance to be 25% higher than comparable schemes for other categories.

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