"Cabinet Extends and Renames National Social Assistance Programme Till 2030-31"
Directive Principles of State Policy
guiding principles for governance in Part IV of the Constitution, not enforceable by courts
Benchmark Disability
a disability of 40% or more as certified under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) began on 15 August 1995. It was the Centre's way of meeting its duty under Article 41 of the Constitution, a Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) (meaning: a guiding principle for governance that courts cannot enforce directly). Article 41 asks the State to provide public assistance in cases of old age, sickness and disablement, within its economic capacity. NSAP gives 100% central assistance, so that support reaches beneficiaries in every state at the same rate, unlike many Centrally Sponsored Schemes where states must share the cost.
Over three decades, NSAP grew into five sub-schemes: pensions for the old, widows and persons with disabilities, a family benefit scheme for a sudden loss of the breadwinner, and the Annapurna food scheme. Several of these carried the name of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, reflecting the political naming conventions of their time. The Union Cabinet has now approved continuation of NSAP for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore. Alongside this extension, it has renamed the scheme and its components, and revised the rules for the disability pension.
The most substantive change is in the disability pension (now called the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana). The benchmark disability threshold for eligibility is lowered from 80% to 40%. 'Benchmark disability' is a term from the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, meaning a disability of 40% or more as certified under that law. The RPWD Act, 2016 requires that disability-related assistance be at least 25% higher than comparable schemes for other categories, which is why this scheme's rates differ from the old-age and widow pensions. …
With reference to the recent changes in NSAP's disability pension, consider the following statements:
1.The benchmark disability criterion for eligibility has been lowered from 80% to 40%.
2.The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates that disability-related assistance be at least 25% higher than similarly placed schemes for other categories.
3.The minimum age for receiving the disability pension has been raised to 18 years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Consider the following statements about the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):
1.It was launched to fulfil the Central Government's responsibility under Article 41 of the Constitution.
2.It provides 100% central assistance to beneficiaries.
3.It is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with mandatory state cost-sharing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Match List-I (Old name of NSAP sub-scheme) with List-II (New name after recent renaming) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
List-I
A.Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
B.Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme
C.Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme
D.National Family Benefit Scheme
List-II
1.Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
2.Pradhan Mantri Vidhwa Pension Yojana
3.Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
4.Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was launched to fulfil the Central Government's responsibility under which provision of the Constitution of India?
The Union Cabinet recently approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for which of the following periods, along with what total outlay?
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