The Divyangjan Pension Scheme is set for major changes after the Union Cabinet approved revised eligibility criteria and higher monthly financial assistance for eligible persons with disabilities.
Under the new framework, the minimum disability threshold will fall from 80% to 40%, while the minimum age requirement will be removed, allowing eligible beneficiaries to qualify from birth.
The government has also increased the monthly central assistance from Rs 300 to Rs 375 for beneficiaries aged up to 79 years. For those aged 80 and above, the amount will rise from Rs 500 to Rs 625 per month.
The changes form part of the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from the financial year 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The government has approved a total outlay of Rs 53,428 crore for the programme.
Divyangjan Pension Scheme Eligibility Rules Changed
One of the biggest changes is the reduction in the minimum disability threshold. Previously, the scheme required a benchmark disability level of 80%.
Under the revised framework, this requirement will be reduced to 40%, bringing more people with disabilities within the eligibility criteria.
The minimum age requirement will also change. Eligible persons with disabilities will be able to qualify from birth, instead of having to meet the earlier minimum age condition.
These changes are aligned with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which recognises 40% disability as the benchmark for a person with benchmark disability.
The revised criteria are intended to expand access to social assistance for eligible individuals who previously did not meet the scheme’s threshold.
However, the revised eligibility rules are not the only condition for receiving benefits.
Applicants will still need to meet the scheme’s applicable requirements, and the government is expected to issue detailed implementation guidelines within three months.
 How Much Monthly Pension Will Beneficiaries Receive?
The revised monthly assistance amounts will depend on the beneficiary’s age.
Eligible beneficiaries aged from birth to 79 years will receive Rs 375 per month under the central assistance component. Those aged 80 years and above will receive Rs 625 per month.
The earlier central assistance amounts were Rs 300 per month for the younger age group and Rs 500 for beneficiaries aged 80 and above. The revised rates represent increases of Rs 75 and Rs 125 per month, respectively.
It is important to distinguish the central assistance amount from the total pension a beneficiary may receive.
State governments may provide additional financial support under their own schemes, so the overall amount can differ across states and Union Territories.
Beneficiaries should therefore check the applicable state rules and official notifications before calculating the total monthly amount they may receive.
National Social Assistance Programme Renamed
The Cabinet has also approved renaming the National Social Assistance Programme as the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Several schemes operating under the programme will also receive new names.
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme will become the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana.
The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme will be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Vidhwa Pension Yojana, while the disability pension scheme will be called the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana.
The National Family Benefit Scheme will also be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana.
The Cabinet has clarified that the old-age pension, widow pension and family benefit schemes will continue in their existing form, apart from the approved naming changes.
When Will the New Pension Rules Take Effect?
The revised disability eligibility criteria, beneficiary coverage and assistance rates will be implemented through detailed guidelines expected within three months of the Cabinet’s approval.
The announcement does not mean that every applicant will automatically begin receiving the revised amount immediately.
The programme will continue for five financial years, from 2026-27 through 2030-31, with a total approved outlay of Rs 53,428 crore.
The government estimates that around 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 states and Union Territories will benefit from the programme’s continuation and changes.
People who may qualify under the revised disability criteria should watch for official announcements from the relevant authorities.
Existing beneficiaries should also check whether any additional documents or updated verification procedures are required once the implementation guidelines are issued.
The revised framework is intended to widen access to disability pension assistance while updating the programme’s structure.
The precise application process and implementation arrangements will become clearer once the detailed government guidelines are published.
