Disability Pension Rules Relaxed, Assistance Increased
The Union Cabinet revises disability-pension eligibility, lowers the benchmark disability threshold to 40% and raises monthly central assistance under the national social assistance programme.
The Union Cabinet has approved changes to disability-pension eligibility and financial assistance under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), including higher monthly payments and a lower benchmark-disability threshold. The decision forms part of the programme's continuation for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore.
Under the revised provisions, eligible beneficiaries aged 0–79 years will receive central assistance of ₹375 per month, while those aged 80 years and above will receive ₹625 per month under the disability-pension scheme. The changes are intended to widen access to financial support for persons with disabilities.
The benchmark-disability requirement has been reduced from 80% to 40%, bringing the scheme's eligibility criteria in line with the benchmark-disability threshold under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The minimum age requirement has also been removed, allowing eligible beneficiaries to receive assistance from birth.
The scheme will be renamed Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana as part of the broader restructuring of the National Social Assistance Programme. The programme itself will be renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
The Cabinet's approval is expected to benefit approximately 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories under the wider social assistance programme. The programme supports vulnerable households through old-age pensions, widow pensions, disability pensions and family assistance.
The old-age and widow pension schemes, as well as the National Family Benefit Scheme, will continue in their existing form. The announced changes to eligibility and assistance rates specifically concern the disability-pension component.
The Department of Rural Development will issue implementation guidelines covering revised eligibility, beneficiary numbers and assistance rates within three months. The final implementation will follow these guidelines, so beneficiaries should check the official scheme instructions for application and documentation requirements.
The National Social Assistance Programme was launched on August 15, 1995, to provide financial support to vulnerable people from poor households. The latest changes are intended to broaden disability-pension coverage and strengthen social security for eligible beneficiaries.