Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Union Cabinet had approved ₹53,428 crore to continue the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, benefiting around 3.20 crore people across all 36 States and Union Territories.
In a post on X, Shah said the welfare of the poor, disadvantaged people and persons with disabilities remained a priority for the Modi government. He said the Cabinet’s decision would extend social assistance schemes until 2031.
Shah highlighted changes to disability pension eligibility, saying that reducing the disability threshold from 80% to 40% would enable more people to access financial support.
Bringing persons with disabilities from birth under the scheme would further help lakhs of families receive assistance, he added.
गरीब, वंचित और दिव्यांगजनों का कल्याण सदैव मोदी सरकार की प्राथमिकता रहा है। इसी दिशा में आज केंद्रीय कैबिनेट ने सामाजिक सहायता योजनाओं को 2031 तक जारी रखने के लिए ₹53,428 करोड़ की मंजूरी दी, जिससे देशभर में 3.20 करोड़ लोगों को लाभ मिलेगा।
दिव्यांग पेंशन की पात्रता 80% से घटाकर 40% करने और जन्म से ही दिव्यांगजनों को इसके दायरे में लाने से लाखों परिवारों को सहारा मिलेगा।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 14, 2026
The approved allocation will support social security assistance for eligible beneficiaries, including elderly people, widows and persons with disabilities.
The NSAP aims to provide financial assistance to vulnerable sections of society through its applicable schemes.
The five-year extension will likely benefit approximately 3.20 crore people nationwide, with the revised disability eligibility criteria intended to widen access to pension support.
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