Government Reviews and Revises Pension Schemes under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

New Delhi:  The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) has undergone periodic reviews and revisions since its inception on August 15, 1995. The amount of pension provided under NSAP schemes has been adjusted in 2000, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2012 to address changing needs and economic conditions.

Key revisions include:

1. In 2007, the eligibility criteria shifted from “destitution” to Below Poverty Line (BPL), and the assistance under the old age pension scheme increased from ₹75 to ₹200.
2. In 2011, assistance under the old age pension was further increased to ₹500 for individuals aged 80 and above.
3. In 2012, the assistance rate under the widow and disability pension schemes rose to ₹300 from ₹200 for widows aged 40-79 years and disabled individuals aged 18-79 years.

The government, while considering the continuation of NSAP schemes for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-26), assessed the eligibility criteria and assistance rates. However, given the available financial resources, the decision was made to continue the NSAP scheme in its existing form. States and Union Territories (UTs) are encouraged to provide top-up amounts equal to or exceeding the central assistance, resulting in NSAP pensioners receiving an average monthly pension of ₹1000 in several States and UTs.

NSAP Guidelines stipulate monthly disbursement of pensions by States/UTs. Currently, 27 States/UTs disburse pensions monthly, while three states—Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand—disburse quarterly (in advance). Two states, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, disburse pensions on a non-periodic basis. States/UTs are urged to disburse pensions on a monthly basis. To ensure timely disbursement, most states have adopted the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)/Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB) system, disbursing pensions through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.