Cabinet Approves ₹53,428 Crore To Continue Social Assistance Scheme, Renames It PM Samajik Sahayata Yojana

The Union Cabinet on 14 October approved continuing the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore. The programme is renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.

Its sub-schemes get new names too: the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme becomes the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, and the disability pension scheme becomes the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana. Old-age and widow pensions and the family benefit scheme continue in their existing form. The Rural Development Ministry says about 3.20 crore people across all states and Union Territories benefit.

The main change is for disability pensions: reports say the benchmark disability criterion has been lowered to 40%, with guidelines due within three months. The revised pension amounts were not confirmed in the reports we checked, so check the official PIB release for exact figures and eligibility.