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News: The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development for Continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) with renamed as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
About National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
- The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was launched on 15th August, 1995.
- Nature of Scheme: It is a centrally Sponsored Scheme.
- Nodal Ministry: The nodal ministry for the scheme is Ministry of Rural Development.
- It is aligned with the Directive Principles of State Policy under the Constitution of India, particularly Article 41.
- The intention in providing 100 per cent central assistance is to ensure that assistance to the beneficiaries everywhere in the country is uniformly available.
- Objectives
- To ensure a minimum level of social security to vulnerable sections of society, elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities (Divyangjan).
- To provide financial and food assistance to families living below the poverty line.
Renaming of NSAP
- The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) has been renamed as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
- Budgetary outlay: Total outlay is of Rs. 53,428 crore.
- Duration: It is for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
- Beneficiary: A total of 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all the 36 States/UTs will benefit from this approval.
- Revised provisions of the scheme:
- Renaming of the scheme & sub-schemes
- Revision in eligibility criteria, coverage and rate of assistance for divyangjan pension and
- Continuation of pension schemes for old aged & widows and family benefit scheme in its existing form.
I. Renaming of the sub-schemes: Renamed Components of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) are as follow:
| Previous components name | Renamed componets | Feature |
| Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) | Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana | It provides monthly pension to elderly individuals aged 60 years and above living below the poverty line. |
| Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) | Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana | It offers monthly pension to widows aged 40–59 years from BPL households. |
| Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) | Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana | It etends pension support to persons with severe or multiple disabilities (40%) from BPL families, aged 18–79 years. |
| National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) | Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana | It grants a one-time lump sum to BPL families on the death of the primary breadwinner aged 18–59 years. |
II. Revision in eligibility criteria, coverage and rate of assistance for divyangjan pension:
- Eligibility criteria: The criteria for benchmark disability under the scheme will be 40% against 80% at present.
- Minimum age criterion for the disability pension will now be since birth.
- Coverage and rate of assistance for divyangjan pension: Amount of assistance under divyangjan pension scheme will now be Rs.375/- for the age group of 0-79 yrs and Rs.625/- for 80 yrs and above.
- Eligibility criteria: The criteria for benchmark disability under the scheme will be 40% against 80% at present.
III. Pension schemes for old aged & widows and family benefit scheme will continue in its existing form.
