NSAP Scheme 2026 (Now PM Samajik Sahayata Yojana) - Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply for Pension Online

The Centre approved a five-year extension of Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (PMSSY) on October 14, 2026, covering 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore. Coverage is set to rise from 3.09 crore to 3.20 crore across all 36 States and Union Territories. The National Social Assistance Programme has been renamed PMSSY.

Under Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, the disability threshold drops from 80% to 40%, and the minimum age requirement is removed. Monthly central payments rise from ₹300 to ₹375 for people up to 79 years, and from ₹500 to ₹625 for those aged 80 and above. The component's stated coverage rises from 8.33 lakh to 27.48 lakh.

Old-age, widow and family-benefit schemes will continue in their existing form under the names Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.

Union Cabinet approved the National Social Assistance Programme's continuation for 2026-27 to 2030-31 and renamed it the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore. Approved on October 14, 2026, the decision raises overall coverage from about 3.09 crore to 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories.

For disability pension, eligible people can qualify from birth with at least 40% benchmark disability, replacing the earlier age-18 minimum and 80% threshold. Monthly central support is ₹375 up to age 79 and ₹625 from age 80; coverage for this component rises from 8.33 lakh to 27.48 lakh. Old-age, widow and family benefit components remain in their existing forms.

Households must meet the below-poverty-line condition, and applicants need the required disability certificate. States and Union Territories may add to central payments. Revised guidelines on eligibility, coverage and rates are due within three months of the October 14 decision.

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.

Union Cabinet has approved ₹53,428 crore for the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31. NSAP is now renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The "Indira Gandhi" prefix is dropped from all its sub-schemes.

Old age pension scheme is renamed Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana. Widow pension scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana. Disability pension scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana. National Family Benefit Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana. Pension for old age and widows, and the family benefit scheme, continue in the existing form.

Disability pension rules change the most. The benchmark disability needed to qualify comes down from 80% to 40%. The minimum age limit is gone, so pension can start from birth. Monthly support for eligible people up to 79 years rises from ₹200 to ₹375. For those 80 years and above, it is ₹625.

The scheme gets full central funding and covers 3.20 crore people in all 36 states and Union Territories. Guidelines on the new disability pension rules will be issued and implemented within three months.

Delhi government has transferred Rs 1,370 directly into the bank accounts of students studying in schools run by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The money is meant to help students buy school uniforms, shoes, school bags and other required items.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the transfer on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, during an event at an MCD primary school in Tagore Garden. She said the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system would help keep payments clear and allow eligible students to get money help directly.

Reports say around 5.1 lakh students with verified bank details are being covered in the first phase. The total amount being paid is estimated at nearly Rs 70 crore.

Delhi Government's Rs 1,370 DBT Scheme: What Students Should Know

Under the scheme, each eligible student will get Rs 1,370 for school uniforms and bags. The money is sent straight to the student's bank account instead of giving cash through the school.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is a system through which the government sends money help straight to the bank accounts of eligible people. It makes payments clearer and cuts delays in giving benefits.

The amount is meant to help families handle the cost of essential school items. These costs can be hard for parents, especially those with less money. The government has said the direct transfer system will help make sure eligible children get the money meant for them.

How Many MCD School Students Will Receive the Money?

MCD has identified 6,56,950 students as eligible people for the 2026-27 academic session. But bank details were available for around 5.1 lakh students when the first phase of the transfer was ready.

The amount being released in this phase is about Rs 69.87 crore. Officials are also working on problems involving students who don't have bank accounts or whose accounts are not active or need updating. Efforts are being made to open accounts for children whose parents don't already have one.

This matters because students may not get the money if their bank details are missing or wrong. MCD is working to bring such students into the payment process.

Notebooks and Stationery to Be Given Separately

MCD has changed how notebooks and other stationery items will be provided from the 2026-27 academic session. Earlier, students were entitled to a total yearly help of Rs 1,670. This included Rs 1,250 for uniforms, Rs 120 for school bags and Rs 300 for stationery.

Under the new plan, the cash help is fixed at Rs 1,370 for uniforms and school bags. Instead of sending the extra Rs 300 for stationery to students' accounts, MCD will buy notebooks and other required items and give them through schools.

Officials said the change was made due to delays in sending money for stationery to students' accounts.

Cabinet approved continuing the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years until 2031. The scheme is renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Former PM Indira Gandhi's name is dropped from three sub-schemes.

Budget is Rs 53,428 crore. It will help 3.2 crore people. Revised scheme covers at-risk groups like elderly, widows and persons with disabilities.

Renamed sub-schemes

• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme is now PM Vridhavastha Pension Yojana.
• Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme is now PM Vidhawa Pension Yojana.
• Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme is now PM Divyangjan Pension Yojana.

Revised disability pension

Monthly support goes up to Rs 375 for people from birth to 79 years. It rises to Rs 625 for those 80 and above. Earlier, people aged 18-79 got Rs 300 per month. Those 80 and above got Rs 500.

Eligibility for benchmark disability drops to 40% from 80%. This matches the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Law requires disability support to be at least 25% higher than similar schemes. Revised sub-scheme will cover over 27.48 lakh people.

Unchanged pension amounts

Pension amounts under old-age and widow schemes stay the same. Old-age pension is Rs 200 to Rs 500 per month. It covers 221.31 lakh people. Widow pension is Rs 300 to Rs 500 per month. It covers 67.38 lakh people.

Support under National Family Benefit Scheme also stays the same. One-time money help of Rs 20,000 goes to a family after its main earner dies. Deceased must have been 18 to 59 years old. Scheme covers up to 3.59 lakh families.