Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana extended till 2031: Coverage rises to 3.20 crore; check key changes

The Centre has approved a five-year extension of the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (PMSSY), with the programme set to continue from 2026-27 to 2030-31. The programme will cover 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 States and Union Territories, up from 3.09 crore earlier, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore.

The programme, previously known as the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), provides social assistance to eligible households below the poverty line through old-age pension, widow pension, disability pension and family benefit schemes.

Alongside the extension and wider coverage, the government has revised eligibility criteria and central assistance under the disability pension component, now called the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana. The other pension and family benefit schemes will continue in their existing form.

Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana: Key changes

• Programme period: Five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31.

• Total outlay: ₹53,428 crore.

• Beneficiary coverage: Increased from 3.09 crore to 3.20 crore across all 36 States and Union Territories.

• Programme name: The National Social Assistance Programme has been renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.

The programme was launched on August 15, 1995, to provide social assistance to eligible households facing financial vulnerability due to old age, widowhood, disability or the loss of a family's primary breadwinner.

Disability pension: What has changed?

The disability pension component has undergone changes to its eligibility criteria, monthly central assistance and beneficiary coverage. It is now called the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana.

Earlier, applicants needed a disability level of at least 80% to qualify under the scheme. The revised rules lower the benchmark disability threshold to 40%, in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Previously, applicants had to be at least 18 years old to qualify for disability pension assistance. The revised rules remove this minimum age requirement.

The government has revised the monthly central assistance under the disability pension scheme.

The increase is ₹75 per month for beneficiaries up to 79 years of age and ₹125 per month for those aged 80 years and above.

The stated number of beneficiaries under the disability pension scheme has increased from 8.33 lakh to 27.48 lakh.

Have old-age and widow pension benefits changed?

The old-age pension, widow pension and family benefit schemes have been renamed under the revised programme framework, but will continue in their existing form.

Their new names are:

Old-age pension: Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana.

Widow pension: Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana.

Family benefit scheme: Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.