Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (PMSSY) is a central government social security initiative that provides financial and food assistance to vulnerable citizens and economically weaker families across India. The Government of India has renamed the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana to continue supporting eligible senior citizens, widows, persons with disabilities, and families that lose their primary breadwinner. The Ministry of Rural Development implements the programme through its different assistance components, with support from state and Union Territory governments.

Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana has five components to provide social security assistance to eligible beneficiaries. The government has renamed four of these components along with the main programme. The four renamed components are

• Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana (formerly Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme),
• Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana (formerly Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme),
• Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana (formerly Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme), and
• Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana (formerly National Family Benefit Scheme).

The fifth component, the Annapurna Scheme, continues under its existing name and provides food grain assistance to eligible senior citizens who are not covered under the old-age pension component.

Under Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, eligible senior citizens can receive monthly old-age pension assistance, while eligible widows can receive monthly widow pension assistance. The disability pension component provides financial support to eligible persons with disabilities, and the family benefit component offers one-time assistance to eligible households following the death of their primary breadwinner. The programme also includes the Annapurna Scheme, which provides eligible senior citizens who are not covered by the old-age pension component with 10 kg of food grains per month, subject to applicable provisions.

The scheme's assistance varies by component and beneficiary category. Under the existing pension rates reflected in the earlier scheme guidelines, the old-age pension provides ₹200 per month to beneficiaries aged 60–79 years and ₹500 per month to those aged 80 years and above. The widow pension provides ₹300 per month up to 79 years of age and ₹500 per month from 80 years onwards. The family benefit component provides ₹20,000 as one-time assistance to eligible bereaved households. On 14 October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved revised disability pension rates of ₹375 per month for beneficiaries aged 0–79 years and ₹625 per month for beneficiaries aged 80 years and above. The revised disability pension provisions also reduce the benchmark disability threshold from 80% to 40% and remove the minimum age restriction. Beneficiaries should check the latest official guidelines for the implementation of these changes and the applicable eligibility conditions.

The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme under its new name for the period from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore and an estimated coverage of 3.20 crore beneficiaries across 36 States and Union Territories. Eligible applicants can approach their Gram Panchayat, municipality, or other designated local authority to learn about the application process and required documents. Since the revised detailed guidelines are expected within three months of the Cabinet approval, applicants should confirm the latest rules, application arrangements, and applicable assistance amounts with the relevant state or Union Territory authorities before applying.

Scheme Components

Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana comprises five sub-schemes. Four were renamed by the October 2026 Cabinet decision; the Annapurna Scheme was not named in the renaming list and continues under its existing name.

Scheme Benefits

Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana benefits cover monthly pension support, one-time financial assistance, and free food grains for vulnerable BPL households across India.

• Provides a regular monthly pension to senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities from BPL households.
• Provides a one-time lump sum financial assistance to a BPL household on the death of its primary breadwinner.
• Provides free monthly food grains to eligible elderly persons not covered under the old-age pension.
• Credits all pension and benefit amounts directly to the beneficiary's bank or post office account under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), in place since December 2014.
• Uses cash or money-order disbursement only in cases where bank/post office transfer is not workable.
• Allows States and UTs to add their own contribution over and above the central assistance, so many beneficiaries receive a higher combined amount than the central figures alone.

Component-wise Assistance Amount

The amount of financial assistance under Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana varies by component, as shown below.

Note: The rates revised under the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana were approved by the Union Cabinet on 14 October 2026. Implementation is subject to the Ministry of Rural Development issuing detailed guidelines, expected within three months of approval.

Eligibility Requirements

Each component under Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana has different eligibility criteria. Beneficiaries must check the applicable criteria before applying

• The applicant's household must belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, as identified by the respective State/UT.
• Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana:
  • Applicant must be 60 years of age or above.
  • Applicant must belong to a BPL household.
• Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana:
  • Applicant must be a widow aged 40 years or above.
  • Applicant must belong to a BPL household.
• Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana:
  • Applicant must have a benchmark disability of 40% or above (revised from 80%).
  • There is no minimum age requirement, eligibility now applies from birth (revised from 18 years).
  • These revised criteria are subject to the formal guidelines yet to be issued by the Ministry.
• Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana:
  • The deceased breadwinner must have been more than 18 years and less than 60 years of age at the time of death.
  • The household must belong to the BPL category.
  • A homemaker is also treated as a "breadwinner" for this purpose.
• Annapurna Scheme:
  • Applicant must be an elderly person otherwise eligible for old-age pension.
  • Applicant must not currently be receiving the old-age pension.
• Priority categories:
  • Persons affected by leprosy, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or TB.
  • Bonded labourers, transgender persons, and manual scavengers.
• The identification process is meant to be proactive; the onus is not on the beneficiary alone to prove eligibility; Gram Panchayats and Municipalities are expected to reach out to eligible households.

Required Documents

Applicants may need the following documents to apply for Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The required documents depend on the type of assistance.

• Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card or Ration Card.
• Birth Certificate or School Certificate as age proof.
• BPL family details, including family ID and member ID, where applicable.
• Bank or Post Office Account Details
• Disability Certificate for disability pension applicants.
• Husband's Death Certificate or Widowhood Certificate for widow pension applicants.
• Death Certificate of the deceased breadwinner for family benefit applicants.
• Recent Photograph, if required by the application form.

Note: The document requirements may vary by State or Union Territory. Applicants should confirm the final list with the relevant authority before applying.

Steps to Apply

Applicants can apply for Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana both online, through the UMANG App/Portal, and offline, through their local Gram Panchayat or Municipality. The application process and online availability may vary for each component and from State to State.

Apply Online (via UMANG App/Portal)

• Download the UMANG App on your mobile phone, or visit the UMANG Portal on your browser.
• Register or log in using your mobile number and OTP.
• Search for "NSAP" or the specific pension scheme (old age, widow, or disability pension) in the search bar.
• Select the relevant service from the search results for your State/UT, where available.
• Click on "Apply Online" to open the application form.
• Fill in your personal details, BPL household information, Aadhaar number, and bank/post office account details.
• Upload the required supporting documents based on the sub-scheme you are applying under.
• Submit the form and note the application/reference number for tracking.

Apply Offline

• Visit your local Gram Panchayat office (rural areas) or Municipality/Ward office (urban areas).
• Collect the application form for the relevant sub-scheme (old age, widow, disability pension, or family benefit), or download a local-language version if available on your State's website.
• Fill in your personal details, BPL household information, Aadhaar number, and bank/post office account details.
• Attach the required supporting documents based on the sub-scheme you are applying under.
• Submit the completed form to the designated application receiver at the Gram Panchayat/Municipality office.
• A designated Verification Officer verifies your application and eligibility, typically within two weeks of submission.
• Your application is discussed in the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha, along with the Verification Officer's recommendation.
• The designated Sanctioning Authority issues a Sanction Order if your application is approved, this process should be completed within 60 days of submission.
• On sanction, you receive a Pension Passbook (for pension schemes) recording your sanction details and disbursement history.
• Your pension or benefit amount is credited to your bank/post office account every month (for pensions) or as a one-time transfer (for the family benefit).

Both online and offline applications are ultimately verified and processed through the NSAP-MIS system. If your application is rejected, you can file a first appeal with the designated Appellate Authority, and a second appeal (review) with the Reviewing Authority, as notified by your State Government.

Relevant Links

• National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) Official Portal
• UMANG Portal
• NSAP Guidelines
• Cabinet Press Release on the Renaming of the Scheme
• NSAP Application Form Tracker
• NSAP Pension Payment Tracker
• Download UMANG Mobile App (Android)
• Download UMANG Mobile App (iOS)
• Submit NSAP Complaint

Contact Information

• NSAP Contact Details
• National Social Assistance Programme Email: [email protected]