The Union Cabinet has approved a **₹53,428 crore outlay** for the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, formerly NSAP, for 2026-27 to 2030-31. This includes significant revisions to disability pension norms, widening eligibility and increasing assistance for 3.20 crore beneficiaries.
40%
New Disability Benchmark
Earlier: 80%→40%
⏳ Time Machine
How today’s news fits into the bigger picture
August 1995
National Social Assistance Programme launched
The NSAP was launched to provide social assistance to poor households, as part of the Centre's responsibility under the Constitution's Directive Principles.
Early 2000s
Inclusion of disability pension
The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) was introduced as a component of NSAP, providing financial support to persons with severe disabilities, initially with an 80% benchmark.
2005
MGNREGA introduced
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was enacted, a major welfare program guaranteeing rural employment, demonstrating India's commitment to social safety nets.
September 2026
Tripura's Samajik Sahayata Prakalpa
The Tripura state government's Mukhyamantri Samajik Sahayata Prakalpa provided ₹2,000 monthly assistance, showcasing regional efforts in social welfare, albeit with different eligibility.
Today
Union Cabinet approved ₹53,428 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, revising disability pension norms and widening eligibility.
What happens next?
Guidelines for the revised disability pension criteria and assistance rates are expected to be issued and implemented within the next three months.
India's Union Cabinet today approved a substantial **₹53,428 crore outlay** for the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31. The scheme has been renamed the 'Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana', and its component pension and family benefit schemes have also been renamed. A key highlight is the revision of disability pension norms: the benchmark disability criteria for eligibility has been reduced from 80% to **40%**, and the minimum age criterion has been removed, making individuals eligible from birth. Monthly assistance for disability pensions will now be ₹375 for those up to 79 years and ₹625 for those 80 years and above. This initiative is expected to benefit approximately **3.20 crore beneficiaries** across India.
💭 If you're wondering…
NSAP was a centrally sponsored scheme providing financial assistance to eligible elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities, as well as family benefits to poor households in case of the death of the primary breadwinner.
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Official sources
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