Centre Approves ₹53,428 Crore for Social Assistance Programme Until 2030–31; Railway Employees to Receive 78-Day Bonus

New Delhi, October 15: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation and restructuring of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore. The programme will be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, according to the announcement.

The revised framework aims to strengthen social security for vulnerable sections of society, including older people, widows, persons with disabilities and families facing financial hardship.

Changes to Disability Pension Eligibility

Under the revised provisions, the minimum age requirement of 18 years for receiving a disability pension has been removed. This will allow eligible children with disabilities to receive assistance from birth. The benchmark-disability threshold for eligibility has also been reduced from 80% to 40%, in line with the announced changes under the programme.

The monthly central contribution will be ₹375 for beneficiaries up to 79 years of age and ₹625 for those aged 80 and above, in addition to any contribution provided by the respective state governments. Existing pension assistance for older people and widows, along with the family benefit scheme, will continue under the revised framework.

According to the announcement, the revised programme is expected to benefit approximately 3.20 crore people nationwide. The new guidelines are expected to be implemented within three months of their issuance.

Existing Schemes to Be Renamed

The Cabinet has also approved new names for schemes operating under the National Social Assistance Programme:

• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
• Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Vidhava Pension Yojana
• Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
• National Family Benefit Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana

78-Day Bonus for Railway Employees

The Union Cabinet has also approved a Productivity-Linked Bonus (PLB) of ₹2,009.61 crore for 11,40,770 eligible non-gazetted railway employees. The bonus is equivalent to 78 days of wages, with a maximum payment of ₹17,951 per eligible employee.

The annual bonus is generally announced ahead of the Durga Puja or Dussehra festive period. It recognises the contribution of eligible railway employees to railway operations and services.

The Cabinet decisions cover social assistance and railway employee benefits. Further details on implementation will depend on the official guidelines issued by the relevant departments.

Editorial note: The claim that disability assistance must be at least 25% higher than benefits for other categories and the quotation attributed to Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy have been omitted pending verification from official sources.