The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore. The scheme is being renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, and the benchmark disability threshold for its disability pension is being cut from 80% to 40%.
The proposal came from the Department of Rural Development and was cleared by the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to reports dated October 15, 2026. The programme is expected to cover about 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories.
What Changes Under the Renamed National Social Assistance Programme?
The Cabinet approval has three parts: renaming the scheme and its sub-schemes, revising the disability pension, and continuing the old-age, widow and family benefit schemes in their existing form. The new names are:
The NSAP becomes Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) becomes Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana. The widow pension scheme (IGNWPS) becomes Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana. The disability pension scheme (IGNDPS) becomes Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana. The National Family Benefit Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.
How Is the Disability Pension Being Revised?
Disability assistance is set at ₹375 for beneficiaries aged 0 to 79 and ₹625 for those aged 80 and above. The reports reviewed do not state the payment frequency or the earlier rates, so those details are awaited from the official guidelines.
Two eligibility changes stand out. The benchmark disability threshold falls to 40% from 80%, and the minimum age criterion becomes “since birth”. The 40% benchmark follows the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which also requires disability assistance to be 25% higher than similar schemes for other categories.
Who Funds and Runs the Scheme?
NSAP was launched on August 15, 1995, to help poor households meet the Central Government’s responsibility under Article 41 of the Constitution. The Centre provides 100% assistance so that benefits remain uniform across the country. The Cabinet decision keeps that structure for the 2026-31 cycle.
Market and Trade Reaction
This is a social-sector decision, and no market reaction, industry-body comment or opposition response was found in the reports reviewed. The outlay of ₹53,428 crore works out to an average of roughly ₹10,686 crore a year over the five-year period.
What Happens Next?
Guidelines covering the revised eligibility, beneficiary numbers and disability pension rates are to be issued and implemented within three months of the approval. States and Union Territories will then need to update beneficiary lists under the new scheme names.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the outlay for the National Social Assistance Programme from 2026-27 to 2030-31?
The Union Cabinet approved a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore for the five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
What is the new name of NSAP?
The National Social Assistance Programme has been renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, with new names for each sub-scheme including the old-age, widow, disability and family benefit schemes.
How many people will benefit?
About 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories are expected to benefit, according to the reports on the Cabinet decision.
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