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Cabinet Clears Rs 53,428 Crore for Renamed NSAP Pension Scheme

The Union Cabinet approved continuing the National Social Assistance Programme with Rs 53,428 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31 and renamed it and its four sub-schemes.

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Cabinet Clears Rs 53,428 Crore for Renamed NSAP Pension Scheme — GK24 title card

Why in News

On 14 October 2026 the Union Cabinet approved continuing the National Social Assistance Programme for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with Rs 53,428 crore, renamed it Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana and raised the divyangjan pension while easing its eligibility.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared a proposal of the Department of Rural Development on 14 October 2026 to carry the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) forward for another five years. The approval carries an outlay of Rs 53,428 crore and runs from 2026-27 to 2030-31. Three things were decided together: the scheme and its sub-schemes get new names, the disability pension is reworked, and the remaining pensions carry on unchanged.

The new names

NSAP itself becomes Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Its four components are renamed as well, each dropping the earlier title for a Pradhan Mantri label.

Old nameNew name
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension SchemePradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension SchemePradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension SchemePradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
National Family Benefit SchemePradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana

What changes for divyangjan pension

  • Assistance is fixed at Rs 375 a month for beneficiaries aged 0-79 years and Rs 625 for those aged 80 years and above.
  • The benchmark disability bar comes down to 40 per cent, from the 80 per cent demanded so far.
  • The minimum age condition goes away: the pension is now available since birth.

The old-age pension, the widow pension and the family benefit payment stay in the form they already have. Guidelines covering the revised eligibility, the beneficiary count and the new rates are to be issued and put into effect within three months.

Who gains

The government puts the reach of the decision at 3.20 crore beneficiaries spread over all 36 States and Union Territories. Because the Centre meets the whole cost, the same help is meant to be available on the same terms wherever a beneficiary lives.

Background a student should keep

NSAP was launched on 15 August 1995 to help poor households, flowing from the duty the Centre carries under Article 41 of the Constitution, which sits among the Directive Principles of State Policy. The rewrite of the disability pension follows the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which tied benefits to a benchmark disability of 40 per cent and required disability assistance to be set at least 25 per cent above comparable schemes for other groups.

Important Facts

DecisionContinuation of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
OutlayRs 53,428 crore
Period2026-27 to 2030-31 (five years)
New name of NSAPPradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
Proposing departmentDepartment of Rural Development
Divyangjan pensionRs 375 a month for ages 0-79 years; Rs 625 for 80 years and above
Benchmark disability40 per cent, reduced from 80 per cent
Beneficiaries3.20 crore across 36 States and Union Territories
NSAP launched15 August 1995
Constitutional basisArticle 41 (Directive Principles of State Policy)

Exam Point of View

Hold on to the outlay (Rs 53,428 crore), the period (2026-27 to 2030-31), the new names of the scheme and its four sub-schemes, the revised disability pension rates of Rs 375 and Rs 625, the benchmark disability cut from 80 to 40 per cent, the reach of 3.20 crore beneficiaries across 36 States and UTs, the 1995 launch, Article 41 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Practice Questions

Q1.Government SchemesEasy

The National Social Assistance Programme has been renamed as which of the following?

  1. A.Pradhan Mantri Samajik Suraksha Yojana
  2. B.Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
  3. C.Pradhan Mantri Jan Kalyan Yojana
  4. D.Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana

When the Union Cabinet approved carrying the programme forward for five years, it renamed the umbrella scheme itself to Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, so option B is the one to mark.

Read the full explanation →
Q2.Government SchemesMedium

Under the revised divyangjan pension, what is the monthly assistance for a beneficiary aged 80 years and above?

  1. A.Rs 375
  2. B.Rs 500
  3. C.Rs 625
  4. D.Rs 1,000
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Rs 625

The approved structure of the disability pension has two slabs by age. A beneficiary in the 0-79 years group receives Rs 375 a month, while a beneficiary who has turned 80 years or more receives Rs 625 a month, so option C matches the higher age slab asked about here.

Read the full explanation →
Q3.Government SchemesMedium

The duty of the Central Government that the National Social Assistance Programme gives effect to is contained in which Article of the Constitution?

  1. A.Article 21
  2. B.Article 41
  3. C.Article 44
  4. D.Article 51A
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Article 41

The programme was launched for assistance to poor households as a way of discharging the responsibility the Central Government carries under Article 41 of the Constitution, which sits among the Directive Principles of State Policy and speaks of public assistance in old age, sickness and disablement.

Read the full explanation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the new name of the National Social Assistance Programme?

Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The Union Cabinet approved the renaming on 14 October 2026 along with an outlay of Rs 53,428 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31.

How much is the revised divyangjan pension?

Rs 375 a month for beneficiaries in the 0-79 years age group and Rs 625 a month for those aged 80 years and above, with the benchmark disability requirement reduced to 40 per cent.

How many people will the decision cover?

About 3.20 crore beneficiaries in all 36 States and Union Territories. The Centre meets the full cost so the assistance is uniform across the country.

When was NSAP launched and under which constitutional provision?

It was launched on 15 August 1995 for poor households, giving effect to the Centre's responsibility under Article 41 of the Constitution, which is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Sources

Tags:#Union Cabinet#National Social Assistance Programme#Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana#Department of Rural Development#Divyangjan Pension

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