The Union Cabinet extended the social security programme for five years, renamed it and its component schemes, and relaxed disability pension eligibility to widen coverage.

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• The Union Cabinet on 14 October 2026 approved continuing the National Social Assistance Programme for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
• The approved outlay is ₹53,428 crore, and the programme is renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
• The Indira Gandhi old age pension scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, and the widow pension scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana.
• The disability pension scheme is renamed Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, and the National Family Benefit Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.
• The benchmark disability threshold for the pension is lowered from 80% to 40%.
• The minimum age requirement is removed, so eligible persons with disabilities can receive assistance from birth.
• Monthly disability assistance will be ₹375 for beneficiaries up to age 79 and ₹625 for those aged 80 and above.
• Disability pension coverage is expected to expand from about 8.33 lakh to 27 lakh beneficiaries.
• The programme is expected to benefit about 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories.
• Old-age pension, widow pension and the family benefit scheme continue in their existing form.
• NSAP was launched on 15 August 1995 as a fully centrally sponsored scheme.
• The revised disability criteria and assistance rates are to be implemented within three months of guidelines being issued.

Tags: NSAP, DisabilityPension, SocialSecurity