Cabinet Extends the National Social Assistance Programme to 2031, Renames It and Widens Disability Pension
The Union Cabinet approved ₹53,428 crore to continue the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The programme will be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Its parts are also renamed:
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme → Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme → Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme → Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
National Family Benefit Scheme → Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
Disability pension changes: the required disability level falls from 80% to 40%; the minimum age is removed, so a person can get it from birth; monthly central help becomes ₹375 (up to 79 years) and ₹625 (80 years and above).
These disability changes follow the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which uses 40% as the "benchmark disability" and asks that help for disabled persons be at least 25% higher than similar schemes for others.
The old-age and widow pensions and the family benefit scheme continue in their present form. The decision is expected to cover 3.20 crore beneficiaries in all 36 states and Union Territories.
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is the Union government's main scheme to give a small, regular cash pension to the poorest old people, widows and persons with severe disabilities. It also gives a one-time cash help to a poor family when its main earning member dies. The Centre pays the full central share of the money, and states usually add their own top-up. It is India's basic "social safety net" for people who cannot earn.
The Cabinet has extended the NSAP for five more years with a new name. The biggest change is in the disability pension, which now follows the 40% benchmark and the 25%-higher rule of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, opening the scheme to many more disabled persons, including children.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 is India's main law protecting the rights of disabled people. It says persons with disabilities must get equality, dignity and respect, and must not be treated unfairly. It lists 21 types of disabilities, gives reservation in jobs and higher education, and makes the government responsible for accessible buildings, transport and services. It replaced the older law of 1995.
The revised disability pension under the NSAP uses the RPwD Act's 40% benchmark instead of the old 80% bar, and its new amounts are 25% above comparable pensions, as Section 24 requires. This brings the old 2009 disability pension in line with the 2016 law.
Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are goals and guidelines in Part IV of the Constitution (Articles 36 to 51) that tell the government what kind of society it should build. They ask the State to secure fair wages, education, health, and help for the weak. Unlike Fundamental Rights, they cannot be enforced in a court, but Article 37 says they are fundamental in the governance of the country.
The NSAP was started in 1995 as the Centre's response to Article 41. Its extension to 2031 and the wider disability pension are fresh steps under the same Directive Principle.
- NSAP outlay approved: ₹53,428 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31
- New name: Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
- Expected beneficiaries: 3.20 crore across all 36 states and UTs
- Disability pension: benchmark lowered from 80% to 40%; minimum age removed
- New disability pension: ₹375/month (up to 79 years), ₹625/month (80+)
- Disability changes take effect within 3 months of new guidelines
- NSAP launched 15 August 1995; 100% central assistance; based on Article 41
- RPwD Act, 2016: 40% benchmark disability; assistance at least 25% higher than similar schemes