New Delhi, 14 October (H.S.): The Union Government has approved the extension of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with a total financial outlay of ₹53,428 crore. Alongside the extension, the programme and its sub-schemes will be renamed, while eligibility criteria, coverage and assistance rates under the disability pension scheme will be revised. The existing pension schemes for senior citizens and widows, as well as the family benefit scheme, will continue in their present form.

At a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved a proposal from the Department of Rural Development to continue the National Social Assistance Programme.

According to the government, the NSAP will henceforth be known as the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. 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 become the Pradhan Mantri Widow Pension Yojana.

Similarly, the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme will be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, and the National Family Benefit Scheme will be known as the Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.

## Disability Pension Assistance Revised, Eligibility Criteria Relaxed

Under the revised disability pension scheme, monthly financial assistance will be ₹375 for beneficiaries aged 0–79 years and ₹625 for those aged 80 years and above.

In addition to revising the assistance amount, the government has decided to lower the benchmark disability threshold from the existing 80 per cent to 40 per cent. The minimum age requirement for receiving disability pension will also be reduced from 18 years to birth, making eligible persons with disabilities entitled to assistance from infancy, subject to the scheme’s other applicable conditions.

However, the pension schemes for senior citizens and widows, along with the family benefit scheme, will continue unchanged.

## 3.20 Crore Beneficiaries Across States and Union Territories to Benefit

The Cabinet’s approval is expected to benefit a total of 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 States and Union Territories.

The extension of the programme is intended to ensure continuity of social assistance for vulnerable sections of society, including older persons, widows, persons with disabilities and eligible families requiring financial support. The revised disability pension provisions will broaden eligibility by lowering the benchmark disability threshold and removing the previous minimum age restriction.

With the programme extended through 2030–31, the government aims to maintain the existing social assistance framework while introducing changes to the naming and eligibility provisions of its constituent schemes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar