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Key points
- NSAP is now called Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, approved for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with ₹53,428 crore.
- Disability pension now covers people with 40% disability (down from 80%), from birth, with no minimum age.
- Central share of disability pension rises to ₹375 a month (₹625 at age 80 and above).
- Revised guidelines are due within three months of the 14 October 2026 Cabinet decision.
If someone in your family has a disability of 40% or more and your household is below the poverty line, this change is for you. Until now, the central disability pension needed 80% disability and a minimum age of 18. The Union Cabinet has dropped the bar to 40% and removed the age limit, so a child with a certified disability can now qualify too.
Below we cover the new scheme names, what each pension pays, who can apply, the documents and how to apply through your state. Every figure comes from Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases.
Scheme at a glance
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) started on 15 August 1995. It is fully funded by the Centre, and states add their own top-up on top of the central amount. On 14 October 2026 the Cabinet renamed the programme and its sub-schemes.
| Old name | New name |
|---|---|
| National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) | Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana |
| Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana |
| Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana |
| Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana |
| National Family Benefit Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana |
| Detail | What the Cabinet approved |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Rural Development |
| Period | 2026-27 to 2030-31 (five years) |
| Outlay | ₹53,428 crore |
| Beneficiaries | About 3.20 crore across all 36 States and UTs |
| Revised guidelines | To be issued within three months of 14 Oct 2026 |
Benefits: how much each pension pays
Only the disability pension has new rates. The old age pension, widow pension and family benefit continue in their existing form. The amounts below are the central share; your state adds its own top-up.
| Scheme | Who it covers | Central amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vridhavastha (old age) pension | Age 60 and above, BPL family | ₹200 a month (60-79), ₹500 a month (80+) |
| Vidhawa (widow) pension | Widows aged 40 and above, BPL family | ₹300 a month (40-79), ₹500 a month (80+) |
| Divyangjan (disability) pension | 40% or more disability, any age, BPL family | ₹375 a month (0-79), ₹625 a month (80+) |
| Parivar Labh (family benefit) | BPL family whose main earner died aged 18-59 | ₹20,000 one-time |
The old disability rates were ₹300 below 80 and ₹500 at 80 and above. The PIB note says the new rates follow the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which asks for disability assistance to be 25% higher than similar schemes for others. That is why ₹300 becomes ₹375.
The state top-up makes a big difference. PIB says that as of September 2026, states were adding between ₹50 and ₹5,700 a month, and the average pension in most States and UTs was around ₹1,100 a month.
The benchmark disability criterion is being lowered from 80% to 40%.PIB release on the Cabinet decision, 14 October 2026
Who can apply
For the disability pension, under the revised rules:
- You have a benchmark disability of 40% or more.
- You have a valid disability certificate.
- Your household is below the poverty line (BPL).
- There is no minimum age. Eligibility now starts from birth.
The PIB note puts the number of disability pension beneficiaries at 27.48 lakh after the change, up from 8.33 lakh.
The new rules are not live everywhere yet
The Cabinet has approved the change, but the Centre still has to issue revised guidelines, and each state then has to apply them. Until your state’s welfare department confirms, your local office may still use the old 80% rule. Ask before you assume a rejection is final.
Documents needed
States set their own forms, so treat this as a starting list.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Disability certificate | Proves 40% or more benchmark disability |
| BPL proof | All NSAP pensions are for BPL households |
| Aadhaar number | Used for identity and payment |
| Bank or post office account | Pension is paid by direct benefit transfer |
| Mobile number | Recorded with beneficiary details |
| Age proof, death certificate (if relevant) | For old age, widow or family benefit claims; check your state’s form |
How to apply
NSAP pensions are run by the states, mostly through the social welfare department. In some states it is the rural development, women and child development, revenue or labour department.
- Get the disability certificateIf you do not have one, get it issued by the certifying medical authority in your district.
- Find your officeGo to your Gram Panchayat in a village, or the municipal office in a town. They identify beneficiaries for the scheme.
- Fill the state pension formAsk for the disability pension form. Some states take it online on their pension portal; others take it on paper at the block office.
- Attach documentsAdd the certificate, BPL proof, Aadhaar and bank or post office details.
- Keep the receiptNote the application number. You need it to follow up.
Already getting a pension?
NSAP pensioners have to give a yearly life certificate. An Aadhaar-based app for digital life certificates was launched in July 2025, so ask your office whether you can use it instead of visiting in person.
Check status
Use the application number to follow up at the office where you applied or on your state’s pension portal if it has one. Once sanctioned, the pension comes to your bank or post office account.
Important links
Before you apply
- Check that your disability certificate shows the percentage, and that it is 40% or more.
- Make sure your family’s name is on the BPL list.
- Link Aadhaar to the bank or post office account where you want the pension.
- Ask your welfare office whether it has started using the revised guidelines.
Frequently asked questions
Can a child get the disability pension now?
Yes, once the revised rules apply. The minimum age of 18 has been removed, so eligibility starts from birth, as long as the other conditions are met.
Is the old age pension amount changing?
No. The Cabinet said the old age, widow and family benefit schemes continue in their existing form. Only the disability pension rates changed.
Will I get only ₹375 a month?
₹375 is the central share. Your state adds a top-up, which ranged from ₹50 to ₹5,700 a month as of September 2026.
When will the new rules start?
The Centre is to issue revised guidelines within three months of the 14 October 2026 decision. After that, your state will implement them.
Sources: PIB, Cabinet approves continuation of NSAP for 2026-27 to 2030-31; PIB note, Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; PIB note, National Social Assistance Programme; PIB, Lok Sabha reply on NSAP pension rates.