Cabinet clears ₹53,428 crore for social assistance scheme, revises disability pension norms

Representational image only. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) approved an outlay of ₹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 ₹375 for beneficiaries aged up to 79 years and ₹625 for those aged 80 years and above.The benchmark disability requirement for availing of the pension has been reduced from 80% to 40%. 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'.The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme will be renamed the 'Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana', and the National Family Benefit Scheme will become the 'Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana'.Launched on August 15, 1995, the NSAP provides assistance to poor households as part of the Centre's responsibility under Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution.The Centre provides 100% central assistance under the programme to ensure uniform availability of support to beneficiaries across the country.The revised eligibility criteria for disability pension beneficiaries are in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which recognises a benchmark disability of 40% and provides for disability-related assistance to be at least 25% higher than that under comparable schemes for other categories. Published - October 14, 2026 06:32 pm IST