Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana

On 14 October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for 2026–27 to 2030–31.

Renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.

Total outlay: ₹53,428 crore.

Disability pension eligibility expanded from 80% to 40% benchmark disability, with no minimum age requirement.

A Renewed Programme for Social Assistance

Four sub-schemes renamed:

• Old-age pension: Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
• Widow pension: Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
• Disability pension: Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
• Family benefit: Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana

Old-age, widow and family benefit schemes continue unchanged.

Overall coverage: 3.20 crore beneficiaries across 36 States/UTs.

About the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

• Launched: 15 August 1995.
• Constitutional basis: Article 41 – public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.
• Nature: Centrally sponsored scheme with 100% central assistance.
• Coverage: Rural and urban BPL households.
• Implementation: State/UT welfare departments, Gram Panchayats and municipalities.
• Payment: Primarily through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• States/UTs provide additional pension support over central assistance.

Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana: Key Reforms

• Legal alignment: Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
• Section 2(r): Benchmark disability means at least 40% of a specified disability, certified by the competent authority.
• Revised guidelines on eligibility, coverage and assistance are to be issued within three months.

Who Benefits?

• Persons with 40–79% disability from eligible BPL households.
• Children with benchmark disabilities, as the minimum age restriction is removed.
• Existing beneficiaries, through enhanced central assistance.
• Conditions: Disability certification and BPL household eligibility remain necessary.

A Common Measure Across the Welfare System

• Census 2011 recorded 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, around 2.21% of India's population.
• RPwD Act, 2016 recognises 21 categories of disabilities.
• The revised pension aligns NSAP disability assistance with the Act's 40% benchmark disability criterion.

Significance

• Promotes inclusive and equitable social protection.
• Expands coverage to persons with moderate benchmark disabilities and children.
• Enhances financial support for vulnerable households.
• Strengthens consistency between disability welfare schemes and the RPwD Act, 2016.

Reference

PIB