The Union Cabinet approved a five-year continuation of the national social assistance programme on 14 October, with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore, according to its announcement.
The programme will be called Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The decision covers financial years 2026–27 through 2030–31.
Among the announced changes, the disability pension benchmark falls from 80% disability to 40%, with eligibility beginning at birth. The government said detailed guidelines would follow within three months. Applicants should check those guidelines and their local implementing authority before treating the announcement as confirmation of individual eligibility.