Cabinet clears ₹53,428 crore for social assistance scheme, revises disability pension norms
The Union Cabinet has approved ₹53,428 crore for the National Social Assistance Programme, which will be renamed 'Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana'. The update includes revised eligibility criteria for disability pensions, lowering the disability benchmark to 40% and removing age restrictions.
Why it matters
This policy change significantly expands the social safety net for persons with disabilities and streamlines government welfare schemes.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) approved an outlay of ₹53,428 crore for the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with revised eligibility criteria and assistance rates for disability pension beneficiaries.
The scheme will be renamed the 'Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana', while its pension and family benefit components will also be renamed, according to an official statement.
Under the revised norms, monthly assistance under the disability pension scheme will be ₹375 for beneficiaries aged up to 79 years and ₹625 for those aged 80 years and above.
The benchmark disability requirement for availing of the pension has been reduced from 80% to 40%. The minimum age criterion has also been removed, making persons with disabilities eligible for assistance from birth.
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