New Delhi, October 15, 2026: The Union Cabinet has approved changes to the central disability pension scheme, reducing the minimum disability requirement from 80% to 40%, removing the minimum age restriction and increasing monthly financial assistance. The changes are part of a ₹53,428 crore plan to continue the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31.
Under the revised rules, people with at least 40% benchmark disability who meet the other eligibility conditions will be able to receive financial assistance regardless of age once the new guidelines are implemented. Monthly central assistance will increase to ₹375 for eligible beneficiaries below 80 years of age and ₹625 for those aged 80 and above.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the measures on October 14. According to the Ministry of Rural Development, the revised guidelines covering eligibility, beneficiary coverage and assistance rates are expected to be issued and implemented within three months.
Under the existing provisions, applicants must have at least 80% disability and meet a minimum age requirement. The revised framework aligns the disability threshold with the benchmark disability standard under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Removing the minimum age restriction will also make eligible persons with disabilities entitled to assistance from birth once the changes take effect. However, payments will remain subject to other applicable eligibility conditions and administrative requirements.
Alongside the disability pension reforms, the Cabinet approved the continuation of the existing old-age pension, widow pension and family benefit schemes without changes to their current provisions.
The government has also renamed the National Social Assistance Programme as the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Its four component schemes will now be known as the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.
According to the ministry, the ₹53,428 crore allocation will support the wider social assistance programme, which is expected to benefit around 3.20 crore people across all 36 states and Union Territories. The beneficiary figure covers the entire programme, not just those receiving disability pensions.
Originally introduced on August 15, 1995, the programme provides central financial assistance to eligible people from economically disadvantaged households, including older persons, widows and persons with disabilities, as well as eligible families under the family benefit scheme.
The revised disability pension provisions are expected to extend financial assistance to people previously excluded by the higher disability threshold and minimum age requirement. Payments under the new rules will depend on the notification and implementation of the revised guidelines.
