Cabinet extends social pension scheme to 2030-31, disability pension now from ₹375 a month

Union Cabinet on 14 October 2026 approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore. The scheme is now called the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.

Its four sub-schemes have new names: Pradhan Mantri Vridhavashta Pension Yojana for old-age pension, Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana for widow pension, Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana for disability pension and Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana for family benefit. Old-age pension, widow pension and family benefit continue in their existing form.

What changed in the disability pension

The disability threshold now stands at 40 per cent benchmark disability under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, down from 80 per cent earlier. The minimum age of 18 years is removed, so a person with a certified disability can get the pension from birth.

Central assistance goes up to ₹375 a month for people up to 79 years of age and ₹625 a month for those 80 years and above, from ₹300 and ₹500 earlier. States and Union Territories can add their own amount on top, and their top-ups ranged from ₹50 to ₹5,700 a month per person as of September 2026, with the average monthly pension near ₹1,100 in most States and Union Territories.

People covered under the disability pension rise from 8.33 lakh to 27.48 lakh, and total coverage of the scheme reaches 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories.

The household must still fall below the poverty line, and applicants need disability certification under the applicable rules. Applications go through the State welfare department and payments are largely made through DBT. The government has said that guidelines on the new eligibility criteria, beneficiary numbers and assistance rates will be issued and put in place within three months of the decision.