Centre extends social assistance programme by five years, gives it new name

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the extension of the National Social Assistance Programme for 5 years starting from 14 October 2026. The approval has been granted with a provision of ₹53,428 crore for the period from 2026-27 to 2030-31. The programme will now be known as the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.

The approval includes renaming the programme and its sub-schemes, improving the disability pension, and continuing other sub-schemes in their current form. There will be no changes to the Old Age Pension, Widow Pension, and Family Benefit Scheme. These schemes will now be known as Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Vidhwa Pension Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana, respectively. The disability pension has been renamed Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana.

Previously, for the disability pension, 80 per cent or more disability and a minimum age of 18 years were required. Now, the 40 per cent benchmark disability eligibility as prescribed in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, will form the basis, and the minimum age condition has been removed; eligibility will apply from birth. For beneficiaries up to 79 years, central assistance has been increased from ₹300 to ₹375 per month, and for beneficiaries aged 80 years and above, it has been increased from ₹500 to ₹625. The number of beneficiaries under this sub-scheme will increase from 8.33 lakh to 27.48 lakh.

The requirement for a disability certificate, the condition of being below the family poverty line, and the system of applying through the state's social welfare department will remain unchanged. Revised guidelines regarding eligibility, number of beneficiaries, and assistance rates will be released and implemented within 3 months.

The programme was launched on 15 August 1995 and covers families below the poverty line in both rural and urban areas. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 100 per cent central assistance. In addition to monthly pensions for the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities, a one-time benefit is provided upon the death of the main earning member of the family. States and Union Territories implement the schemes; Gram Panchayats and Municipalities also participate in identifying beneficiaries, and payments are mostly made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

This programme covered approximately 3.09 crore beneficiaries in 2025-26. With the approval of 14 October 2026, the coverage across all 36 States and Union Territories will increase to 3.20 crore beneficiaries.