India extends flagship social assistance scheme through 2031 with ₹53,428 crore

The Cabinet has cleared the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) through fiscal year 2030-31, securing substantial funding to maintain India's social safety net for vulnerable populations. The approval includes a budgetary outlay of ₹53,428 crore over the five-year period, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of critical assistance to eligible beneficiaries across the country.

The extension comes with notable modifications to programme parameters. Eligibility criteria for disability pensions have been adjusted, while assistance rates under various components of the scheme are being revised. These changes are expected to enhance the targeting efficiency of the programme and ensure benefits reach intended recipients more effectively.

The NSAP remains one of India's cornerstone social security initiatives, providing support to elderly citizens, widows, disabled individuals, and other economically vulnerable groups. The five-year renewal demonstrates the government's commitment to sustaining welfare provisions despite fiscal pressures, with the substantial financial allocation underscoring the programme's significance in the broader social security architecture.

The modified eligibility framework and revised benefit structures are intended to reflect current socio-economic conditions and improve programme outcomes. The Cabinet's decision ensures continuity of disbursements to lakhs of beneficiaries who depend on NSAP assistance for basic livelihood support.