PM National Social Assistance Schemes to Continue for 5 Years

UdaipurTimes, Oct 22, 2026 - The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved on October 14, 2026, the proposal of the Department of Rural Development to continue the National Social Assistance Programme for five years. The approval runs from 2026-27 to 2030-31 and carries an outlay of Rs 53,428 crore, as per an official government press release.

The programme is now renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Its four sub-schemes are also renamed as:

• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) - Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
• Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) - Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
• Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) - Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
• National Family Benefit Scheme - Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana

While the pension schemes for the old aged, widows and family benefit will continue in their existing forms, the Disability Pension has been revised. It will now use the 40 per cent benchmark disability of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, in place of 80 per cent. Its minimum eligibility age of 18 years is removed, so eligibility now runs from birth. Central assistance rises to Rs 375 a month for age 0-79 years, and Rs 625 at 80 years and above. Further, number of beneficiaries under the disability scheme has increased from 8.33 lakhs to 27.48 lakhs.