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Schemes & Policies

NSAP / Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana

India's main social pension scheme for poor elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities, renamed in 2026; exams ask its components, ministry, constitutional basis and assistance amounts.

Pareto Academy · updated 26 October 2026

At a glance

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) gives small monthly pensions and one-time support to poor households facing old age, widowhood, disability or the death of a breadwinner. It is run by the Ministry of Rural Development and is a "core of the core" centrally sponsored scheme, with States adding their own top-ups. In October 2026 the Cabinet extended it to 2030-31 and renamed it the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.

Key facts

  • Launched: 15 August 1995
  • Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
  • Constitutional basis: Article 41 (Directive Principles) on public assistance in old age, sickness and disablement
  • New name (2026): Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
  • Period approved: 2026-27 to 2030-31
  • Outlay: ₹53,428 crore
  • Coverage: about 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 States and UTs
  • Eligibility: households below the poverty line
  • Old-age pension (central share): ₹200 a month for ages 60–79; ₹500 a month from age 80
  • Family benefit: one-time ₹20,000 on the death of the primary breadwinner aged 18–64

How it works

The Centre pays a fixed central assistance and States are encouraged to add at least an equal amount; many States pay far more from their own budgets.

Component (old name) New name (2026) For Central assistance
IGNOAPS PM Vridhavastha Pension Yojana BPL persons aged 60+ ₹200/month (60–79); ₹500/month (80+)
IGNWPS PM Vidhwa Pension Yojana BPL widows aged 40–79 ₹300/month
IGNDPS PM Divyangjan Pension Yojana BPL persons with disabilities ₹300/month; ₹500 from 80
NFBS PM Parivar Labh Yojana BPL family on death of breadwinner (18–64) ₹20,000 one-time
Annapurna Annapurna Eligible elderly not covered by the old-age pension 10 kg foodgrain a month, free

Payments are made by direct benefit transfer into bank or post office accounts.

Timeline

  • 1995: NSAP launched (15 August) with old-age pension, family benefit and maternity benefit
  • 2000: Annapurna added
  • 2001: Maternity benefit moved out (later replaced by Janani Suraksha Yojana)
  • 2007: Old-age pension renamed IGNOAPS and widened to all BPL elderly
  • 2009: Widow (IGNWPS) and disability (IGNDPS) pensions added
  • 2026: Scheme extended to 2030-31 and renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (14 October)

Recent developments

  • 14 Oct 2026: The Union Cabinet approved continuing NSAP for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with ₹53,428 crore, renaming it Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The disability threshold for the disability pension was cut from 80% to 40% and its minimum age requirement removed.

Exam traps

  • NSAP is under the Ministry of Rural Development, not the Ministry of Social Justice.
  • It implements Article 41 (a Directive Principle), not a Fundamental Right.
  • It was launched on 15 August 1995, under the Narasimha Rao government.
  • Atal Pension Yojana (PFRDA, contributory) is a different scheme; NSAP pensions are non-contributory.
  • After the 2026 change, the disability pension needs 40% disability, not 80%.

Quick check

  • Q: Which ministry runs NSAP? A: Ministry of Rural Development.
  • Q: What is NSAP's new name? A: Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
  • Q: How much is the one-time family benefit under NFBS? A: ₹20,000.

Further reading

Sources

In the news

Every time this topic has appeared in our current affairs, newest first:

  1. Week of 8–14 October 2026Cabinet extends NSAP to 2030-31 and renames it Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana