Union Cabinet continues the National Social Assistance Programme for five years and renames it Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana

14 October 2026

The Union Cabinet approved the Department of Rural Development's proposal to continue the National Social Assistance Programme for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of Rs. 53,428 crore, covering 3.20 crore beneficiaries in all 36 States and Union Territories. The programme has been renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Its sub-schemes have also been renamed: the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, the widow pension scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana, the disability pension scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, and the National Family Benefit Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana. The disability pension will be Rs. 375 for beneficiaries aged 0 to 79 and Rs. 625 for those aged 80 and above, and the benchmark disability criterion is lowered to 40 per cent from 80 per cent at present. New guidelines are to be issued and implemented within three months. The programme was launched on 15 August 1995.