Union Cabinet Renames Four Social Welfare Schemes Under NSAP, Approves Rs 53,428 Crore Outlay

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development for continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). The cabinet has extended the programme for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31. Alongside the extension and a total outlay of Rs 53,428 crore for the programme, the cabinet has also approved changing the name of the programme and four of its schemes.  

These schemes include Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWP), Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDP), and National Family Benefit Scheme.

Renaming Of The Scheme

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) has been renamed as the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Of the total five schemes under NSAP, four schemes starting with the former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s name have been renamed as:

• The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is renamed Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana.

• The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) has been renamed Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana.

• The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) is renamed the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana.

• The National Family Benefit Scheme is now the Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.

Disability Pension Scheme Rules Changed

While three of the schemes have only been renamed, the rules for the disability pension scheme, now the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, have also been changed, in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. The benchmark disability criteria of the scheme, which has been 80 per cent to be eligible for receiving the pension, is now reduced to 40 per cent. The minimum age criterion to get disability pension has also been changed from the existing 18 years and above to 0 years and above.

The financial assistance under the scheme, which is Rs 300 per month for people up to 79 years old, has been raised to Rs 375 per month, and for those above 79 years, it has been increased to Rs 625 per month from the existing Rs 600 per month.

Under the Disability Act 2016, the disability assistance should be 25 per cent higher than the similar schemes for other categories. As per the notification, detailed guidelines about these changes in eligibility criteria, beneficiary coverage, and revised rate structures will be implemented within three months.