Central government scheme · Ministry of Rural Development (implemented by States/UTs)

National Social Assistance Programme (old-age, widow and disability pensions)

Also called NSAP

The National Social Assistance Programme (old-age, widow and disability pensions) (NSAP) is run by the Ministry of Rural Development and implemented by States and UTs. It provides monthly pensions for elderly people, widows and persons with severe disabilities from below-poverty-line families, a one-time payment for families losing a main earner, and free grain for some elderly people. The scheme is for BPL persons meeting age or disability criteria, BPL households with a deceased earner, and eligible elderly people. Beneficiaries get monthly central pensions, state top-ups, a one-time family benefit of ₹20,000, or 10 kg of free food grain a month, paid mostly through direct benefit transfer. To apply, apply to your Gram Panchayat or Municipality or state department, give Aadhaar and bank details, and complete yearly life verification.

Written by AI from the official details below.

Who can apply for NSAP

  • Old-age pension (IGNOAPS): BPL persons aged 60 or above.
  • Widow pension (IGNWPS): BPL widows aged 40 or above.
  • Disability pension (IGNDPS): BPL persons aged 18 or above with severe or multiple disabilities.
  • Family benefit (NFBS): a BPL household whose primary breadwinner dies aged 18 to 59.
  • Annapurna: elderly people eligible for old-age pension but not getting it.
  • Each state has a cap on the number of beneficiaries.

NSAP benefits

  • Old-age pension: ₹200 a month from the Centre at age 60-79; ₹500 a month from age 80.
  • Widow and disability pensions: ₹300 a month from the Centre; ₹500 a month from age 80.
  • States add their own top-up of ₹50 to ₹5,700 a month, so the actual pension is often around ₹1,100.
  • Family benefit: one-time ₹20,000.
  • Annapurna: 10 kg of food grain a month free.
  • Paid mostly by DBT to a bank or post office account; cash at the doorstep allowed in extreme cases.

How to apply for NSAP

  1. Apply to your Gram Panchayat (rural) or Municipality (urban), which identifies eligible beneficiaries, or to the state department that runs pensions.
  2. Give Aadhaar and bank or post office account details for direct payment.
  3. Complete the yearly life verification; an Aadhaar-based Digital Life Certificate app was launched in July 2025.

Documents needed for NSAP

  • Proof of BPL status
  • Aadhaar
  • Bank or post office account details

Where it applies

Every state and union territory. See what else applies near you

Checked

Checked against the sources below on 16 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you apply.

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