New Delhi Bureau.
The Union Cabinet has taken a major decision for the country’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens. The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) — in operation since 15 August 1995 — has been renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (PMSSY).
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 October 2026 and briefed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The revamped scheme will run from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore.
The biggest change is for persons with disabilities: the eligibility threshold for disability pension has been cut from 80 per cent disability to 40 per cent, and the minimum age requirement has been abolished — meaning a person can get the pension from birth.
What has changed
The scheme has four sub-schemes, and all have been renamed:
- Old-age pension is now the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Sahayata Yojana.
- Widow pension is now the Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Sahayata Yojana.
- Disability pension is now the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Sahayata Yojana.
- Family benefit is now the Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.
The renaming aligns the scheme with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and with the government’s wider push to bring welfare schemes under a common national identity.
Disability pension: the biggest reform
Under the earlier rules, only persons with 80 per cent or more disability could get the disability pension, and there was a minimum age requirement. In practice, this kept out a large number of people who live with serious disabilities but fall below the 80 per cent line.
Now, the threshold is 40 per cent disability, and the minimum age condition has been removed. A child born with a qualifying disability can receive support from birth.
The pension amount has also been raised. For beneficiaries up to 79 years of age, the monthly pension rises from ₹300 to ₹375. For those aged 80 and above, it rises from ₹500 to ₹625.
As a result, the number of disability pension beneficiaries is expected to rise from 8.33 lakh to 27 lakh — more than three times the current coverage.
Who else benefits
In total, the scheme is expected to cover 3.20 crore beneficiaries across 36 states and Union Territories.
The old-age pension, widow pension and family benefit components remain unchanged in their basic structure. The focus of this round of reform was the disability component, where the earlier rules were the most restrictive.
Detailed guidelines for implementation will be issued within three months. States and Union Territories will be responsible for identifying beneficiaries and delivering payments through the existing system.
Why it matters
For families caring for a person with disability, even a small monthly pension can make a real difference — paying for medicines, transport to hospital, or basic household needs. By widening eligibility and removing the age bar, the government has opened the door for lakhs of people who were earlier excluded.
The challenge now will be implementation: making sure that eligible people actually get enrolled, that disability certificates are issued fairly and quickly, and that payments reach bank accounts on time.
If the rollout is smooth, the revamped PMSSY could become one of the most consequential welfare reforms for persons with disabilities in recent years.
Disclaimer: This news has been prepared on the basis of available sources and verification. If there is any error in any fact, a correction will be published.
