The Union Cabinet has approved five more years of the National Social Assistance Programme, renaming it and widening disability pension eligibility.

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• The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved continuing the National Social Assistance Programme for five years from FY 2026-27 to 2030-31.
• The total outlay approved for the period is Rs 53,428 crore.
• The programme is renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, with its sub-schemes also rebranded.
• The old-age pension scheme (IGNOAPS) becomes the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, and the widow pension scheme (IGNWPS) becomes the Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana.
• The disability pension scheme (IGNDPS) is now the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, and the National Family Benefit Scheme becomes the Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.
• The benchmark disability criterion for the Divyangjan pension is lowered from 80% to 40%, aligning it with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• The minimum age for the disability pension, earlier 18 years, is removed so that eligible persons can receive it from birth.
• Monthly Divyangjan assistance is set at Rs 375 for ages 0 to 79 and Rs 625 for those aged 80 and above.
• The programme covers about 3.20 crore beneficiaries nationally.
• NSAP was launched on August 15, 1995, under Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
• It is a non-contributory, centrally sponsored programme run by the Department of Rural Development.

Tags: NSAP, SocialSecurity, DisabilityPension