Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana

Why in News?

On 14 October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore. The programme has been renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, and its four pension and family-benefit sub-schemes have also been given new names.

Key Features

• Implementing department: Department of Rural Development.
• Duration: 2026–27 to 2030–31.
• Total outlay: ₹53,428 crore.
• Objective: To provide social assistance to vulnerable sections, including the elderly, widows, persons with disabilities and families facing the loss of a primary breadwinner.

Renamed Sub-Schemes

Previous scheme	New name
Old-age pension	Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
Widow pension	Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
Disability pension	Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
Family Benefit Scheme	Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana

Changes in the Disability Pension Scheme

The disability pension scheme (Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana) was introduced in February 2009 as the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme.

Following the Cabinet decision of 14 October 2026, the scheme has undergone the following changes:

• Eligibility threshold: Eligibility has been aligned with the benchmark disability criterion of 40% or more under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• Minimum age removed: Eligible persons can receive assistance from birth, subject to the scheme’s other conditions.
• Revised central assistance:
  • ₹375 per month for beneficiaries up to 79 years of age.
  • ₹625 per month for beneficiaries aged 80 years and above.
• Expansion of coverage: The number of beneficiaries has increased from 8.33 lakh to 27.48 lakh.

Important Legal Provisions

1. National Trust Act, 1999: Section 2(o) defines severe disability as disability of 80% or more in one or more specified multiple disabilities.

2. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

• Enacted to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Section 2(r) defines a person with benchmark disability as a person with not less than 40% of a specified disability, as certified by the certifying authority.
• The revised disability pension eligibility criterion is aligned with this benchmark disability definition.

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