NSAP Renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, ₹53,428 Crore Approved

Union Cabinet has approved continuing the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore. The scheme will now be called Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. It is run by the Ministry of Rural Development, and the approval is expected to cover 3.20 crore eligible people.

Four schemes under it get new names:

• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana.
• Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana.
• Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana.
• National Family Benefit Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.

Monthly help under the disability pension scheme rises to ₹375 for eligible people aged up to 79 years and ₹625 for those aged 80 years and above. The benchmark disability requirement drops from 80 per cent to 40 per cent, matching the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The minimum age limit is removed, so persons with disabilities can get the pension from birth. The new rules, coverage and rates will start within three months of the guidelines coming out.

Pensions for the elderly and widows and the National Family Benefit Scheme, now Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana, will continue in their existing form. The old age pension pays ₹200 a month for ages 60-79 and ₹500 for 80 years and above, the widow pension pays ₹300 for ages 40-79 and ₹500 for 80 years and above, and the disability pension pays ₹300 for ages 18-79 and ₹500 for 80 years and above. National Family Benefit Scheme gives BPL households ₹20,000 on the death of the breadwinner aged 18-59 years, and the Annapurna Scheme gives 10 kg of free food grains a month to senior citizens eligible under the old age pension who are not getting it.