New Delhi: The Union Cabinet Wednesday approved an outlay of Rs 53,428 crore for the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with revised eligibility criteria and assistance rates for disability pension beneficiaries.
The scheme will be renamed the ‘Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana’, while its pension and family benefit components will also be renamed, according to an official statement.
Under the revised norms, monthly assistance under the disability pension scheme will be Rs 375 for beneficiaries aged up to 79 years and Rs 625 for those aged 80 years and above.
▪️ केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल ने राष्ट्रीय सामाजिक सहायता कार्यक्रम (NSAP) को 2026-27 से 2030-31 तक पांच वर्षों के लिए जारी रखने की मंजूरी दी। इसके लिए ₹53,428 करोड़ का कुल बजट निर्धारित किया गया है।
▪️ पेंशन के लिए दिव्यांगता की न्यूनतम सीमा 80% से घटाकर 40% कर दी गई है, जिससे अधिक दिव्यांगजन इस योजना का लाभ उठा सकेंगे।
▪️ अब दिव्यांगजनों को जन्म से ही पेंशन योजना के दायरे में शामिल किया जाएगा।
▪️ इन बदलावों से अधिक दिव्यांगजनों को सामाजिक सुरक्षा का लाभ मिलेगा और पेंशन योजना का दायरा बढ़ेगा।
-केंद्रीय मंत्री @AshwiniVaishnaw
#CabinetDecisions
— पीआईबी हिंदी (@PIBHindi) October 14, 2026
The benchmark disability requirement for availing of the pension has been reduced from 80 per cent to 40 per cent. The minimum age criterion has also been removed, making persons with disabilities eligible for assistance from birth.
The revised eligibility criteria, beneficiary coverage and assistance rates under the disability pension scheme will be implemented within three months of the issuance of guidelines, the statement read.
The pension schemes for the elderly and widows, along with the National Family Benefit Scheme, will continue in their existing form.
The Cabinet’s approval is expected to benefit 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 states and Union Territories.
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme will be renamed the ‘Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana’, while the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme will be called the ‘Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana’.
