Cabinet Expands Disability Pension Coverage to 27 Lakh, Increases Monthly Aid

The Union Cabinet has approved significant changes to the disability pension scheme, expanding eligibility to 27 lakh beneficiaries, a substantial rise from the previous 8.33 lakh. This decision was announced following a cabinet meeting where the government also extended and renamed the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) until the fiscal year 2030-31, allocating ₹53,428 crore for the next five years starting from the current fiscal year.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared these updates during a post-cabinet briefing. He stated that the NSAP will now be known as the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, reflecting the government's renewed focus on social assistance. The revised disability pension criteria are expected to enable a much larger group of individuals with disabilities to receive support.

Expanded Eligibility Criteria

The changes to the disability pension scheme involve two key adjustments. First, the minimum age requirement of 18 years has been removed, allowing individuals of all ages with disabilities to qualify. Secondly, the threshold for disability severity has been lowered from 80 percent to 40 percent, broadening access to monthly pension benefits.

Increased Monthly Pension Amounts

The government also raised the amount of monthly pension provided under the scheme. For disabled individuals between birth and 79 years of age, the pension has increased from ₹300 to ₹375 per month. For those aged 80 and above, the monthly pension has been raised from ₹500 to ₹625. These increases aim to provide better financial assistance to persons with disabilities, recognizing their ongoing needs.

According to a government statement, the revised guidelines on eligibility, coverage, and pension amounts will be implemented within three months of the announcement. However, other pension schemes for senior citizens and widows, as well as family benefit programs, will continue with their current provisions.

Renaming of Existing Pension Schemes

As part of the cabinet’s decision, several existing pension schemes have been renamed to align with the new social assistance framework. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme is now the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana. Similarly, the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme becomes the Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana, and the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme is rebranded as the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana. The National Family Benefit Scheme will now be called the Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.

Extension and Funding of NSAP

The NSAP was launched on August 15, 1995, as a social welfare initiative aimed at supporting poor households across India. It operates under the Centre’s constitutional mandate to provide social assistance, specifically Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The programme offers 100 percent central funding to ensure consistent support nationwide, with pension payments credited directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

With the cabinet’s recent approval, NSAP is set to continue until 2030-31 with a budget of ₹53,428 crore over five years. This extension is expected to benefit approximately 3.20 crore individuals across all 36 states and Union territories, covering a wide range of vulnerable groups including the elderly, widows, disabled persons, and bereaved families.

Alignment with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016

The government highlighted that the new disability pension eligibility aligns with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, which defines a benchmark disability of 40 percent for qualifying assistance. The Act also mandates that disability-related benefits must be at least 25 percent higher than comparable schemes for other categories, ensuring targeted support for persons with disabilities.

These reforms reflect a broader effort to enhance social protection mechanisms and increase financial aid for marginalized groups. By expanding the reach of the disability pension scheme and increasing monthly assistance, the government aims to improve quality of life for millions of disabled individuals. The renaming and extension of NSAP further demonstrate commitment to a more inclusive social welfare system over the coming decade.