Introduction NSAP stands for National Social Assistance Programme. NSAP was launched on 15th August, 1995. The scheme is being renamed as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) with total outlay of Rs. 53,428 crore for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31 has been approved with Renaming of the scheme & sub-schemes Revision in eligibility criteria, coverage and rate of assistance for divyangjan pension and Continuation of pension schemes for old aged & widows and family benefit scheme in its existing form. The nodal agency is the Ministry of Rural Development. The scheme is implemented in the States/UTs in accordance with the general conditions applicable to all components of the NSAP as well as specific condition applicable to each component. The NSAP Schemes are mainly implemented by the Social Welfare Departments in the States. But NSAP is implemented by Rural Development Department in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Meghalaya and West Bengal; by the Department of Women & Child Development in Odisha and Puducherry; by the Revenue Department in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and by the Department of Labour Employment & Training in Jharkhand. Under the scheme, the identification of eligible beneficiaries is carried out by Gram Panchayats and Municipalities in accordance with the scheme guidelines. Local bodies play a central role in proactively identifying eligible persons. Applications are verified by designated State/UT authorities with reference to eligibility criteria, and the list of applicants is discussed in the Gram Sabha/ Ward Sabha before sanction by the competent authority. The scheme extends to both the rural as well as urban areas. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) caters to 3.20 crore BPL beneficiaries across all the 36 States/UTs. The Programme represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 and 42 of the Constitution recognizing the concurrent responsibility of the Central and the State Governments in the matter. In particular, Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity and development. Objective of the scheme Provide financial assistance to BPL elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities. Ensure timely disbursement of pensions through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Improve access and coverage of social security schemes across the country. Strengthen monitoring and ensure transparency using technology. Components of the scheme The scheme at its inception in 1995 had three components namely National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). The National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS) was subsequently transferred on 1st April, 2001 from the Ministry of Rural development to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. On 1st April, 2000 a new Scheme known as Annapurna Scheme was launched. This scheme aimed at providing food security to meet the requirement of those senior citizens who, though eligible, have remained uncovered under the NOAPS. In February 2009, two new Schemes known as Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) were introduced. Presently NSAP comprises of four schemes, namely – Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) - renamed as Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) - renamed as Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) - renamed as Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) - renamed as Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana Eligibility and scale of assistance For getting benefits under the scheme the applicant must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family according to the criteria prescribed by the Govt. of India. The other eligibility criteria and the scale of central assistance under the sub - schemes of NSAP are as follows. Besides the central assistance, states / UT contribute an equal amount as their share: Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana (erstwhile Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)) : The eligible age for IGNOAPS is 60 years. The pension is Rs.200 p.m. for persons between 60 years and 79 years. For persons who are 80 years and above the pension is Rs.500/ - per month. States and Union Territories supplement the Central share by contributing an equivalent or higher top-up amount. This additional support helps ensure that the beneficiaries receive a reasonable and dignified level of income. Currently, the top-up provided by States and UTs under the old age pension component ranges from Rs.50 to Rs. 5700 per month, leading to an average pension of around Rs.1100 in many of the States/UTs. Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana (erstwhile Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)) : The eligible age is 40 years and the pension is Rs.300 per month. After attaining the age of 80 years, the beneficiary will get Rs.500/ - per month. Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana (erstwhile Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)) : This scheme caters to individuals from birth who have severe or multiple disabilities (benchmark disability under the scheme will be 40%) and belong to families living below the poverty line. The beneficiaries are eligible for central assistance of Rs.375/- for the age group of 0-79 yrs and Rs.625/- for 80 yrs and above, ensuring continued financial support to help them manage their daily needs with dignity. Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana (erstwhile National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) ): Under this scheme, a household living below the poverty line becomes eligible for lump sum financial assistance in the unfortunate event of the death of its primary breadwinner, provided the deceased was between 18 and 59 years of age. The family receives Rs.20,000 as support to help them cope with the immediate financial difficulties arising from the loss. Source: National Social Assistance Programme Related Resources Guidelines - NSAP