The Union Cabinet has approved significant changes to the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), including new names for its pension schemes, revised disability eligibility rules and increased monthly financial assistance for eligible persons with disabilities.
The changes are intended to improve access to social security benefits for vulnerable households, particularly people with disabilities who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
According to a Cabinet release dated October 14, the programme will continue for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total financial outlay of ₹53,428 crore. The approval is expected to benefit approximately 3.20 crore people across all 36 states and Union Territories.
NSAP Gets a New Name: List of Revised Pension Schemes
Launched on August 15, 1995, the National Social Assistance Programme provides financial support to eligible poor households. The scheme is funded entirely by the Central Government, with eligibility linked to the household being classified as Below Poverty Line (BPL).
Under the latest Cabinet approval, NSAP will be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Its individual schemes will also receive new names:
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
- Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
- National Family Benefit Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
The government has approved changes to the disability pension scheme. The old-age pension, widow pension and family benefit schemes will continue in their existing form.
Disability Pension Amount Increased: Check New Rates
The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme was introduced in February 2009 by the Ministry of Rural Development to provide monthly financial assistance to eligible persons with disabilities belonging to BPL households.
Under the revised rules, the monthly assistance will be ₹375 for beneficiaries aged 0 to 79 years and ₹625 for those aged 80 years and above.
Previously, eligible beneficiaries aged 18 to 79 years received ₹300 per month, while those aged 80 years and above received ₹500.
The revised assistance amounts represent increases of ₹75 and ₹125, respectively, compared with the earlier rates.
The updated scheme is also expected to make financial support accessible to a wider group of persons with disabilities by changing the eligibility requirements.
Disability Eligibility Reduced from 80% to 40%
One of the major changes is the reduction in the benchmark disability requirement from 80% to 40%. The minimum age requirement has also been removed, allowing eligibility from birth, subject to the scheme’s other conditions.
Under the previous rules, applicants had to be at least 18 years old and have a disability level of 80% or more. The revised criteria lower the required disability threshold and remove the age restriction.
According to the Cabinet release, the changes bring the scheme’s disability eligibility criteria in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The legislation provides for a benchmark disability threshold of 40% and requires disability-related assistance to be 25% higher than the support provided under comparable schemes for other categories.
These revisions could help more eligible people with disabilities access monthly financial assistance through the government programme.
When Will the New NSAP Rules Take Effect?
The government will issue detailed guidelines for the revised disability pension scheme within three months. These guidelines will cover eligibility conditions, the number of beneficiaries and the applicable assistance rates.
The Cabinet’s approval is expected to benefit around 3.20 crore beneficiaries across India’s 36 states and Union Territories. The revised rules are particularly significant for households seeking disability-related social assistance.
Beneficiaries should refer to official government announcements and scheme guidelines for confirmation of the implementation process and the requirements applicable to their circumstances.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the details provided in the Cabinet release. Eligibility requirements, pension amounts and implementation procedures may be subject to official guidelines. Readers should consult the relevant government department or official website for the latest and authoritative information before making decisions regarding scheme benefits.