New Delhi: The Indian government has approved the removal of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s name from three central pension schemes, replacing their existing titles with new names beginning with “Pradhan Mantri”. The decision was taken by the Union Cabinet on October 14, 2026, as part of a wider move to rename social assistance programmes and expand disability pension eligibility.
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme will be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana. The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme will become the Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana, while the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme will be known as the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana.
The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with the renaming, the government approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from financial year 2026 to 2027 to financial year 2030 to 2031, with a total allocation of ₹53,428 crore.
The National Social Assistance Programme itself will be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The National Family Benefit Scheme will also be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana. The changes apply to the specific programmes covered by the Cabinet decision and do not mean that all central government schemes associated with Indira Gandhi are being renamed.
Beyond the changes in names, the Cabinet has approved revisions to disability pension eligibility and financial assistance.
The benchmark disability threshold for eligibility will be reduced from 80 per cent to 40 per cent. The minimum age requirement will also be removed, allowing eligible persons with disabilities to be considered from birth, subject to the applicable criteria.
Monthly central assistance for eligible persons with disabilities aged between zero and 79 will increase from ₹300 to ₹375. For beneficiaries aged 80 and above, the amount will rise from ₹500 to ₹625 per month.
The revised criteria are expected to widen access to financial support for persons with disabilities. However, the changes do not mean that every person with a disability will automatically qualify for assistance. Eligibility will depend on the applicable rules and implementation guidelines.
The decision does not include an increase in the existing pension amounts for older people and widows under the respective schemes. Their current assistance arrangements will continue under the approved changes.
The National Family Benefit Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible families following the death of their primary breadwinner. Its renaming forms part of the wider changes to the social assistance programme, but the Cabinet announcement does not introduce a general increase in its benefits.
Launched on August 15, 1995, the National Social Assistance Programme supports vulnerable people facing economic hardship, including older people, widows, persons with disabilities and families that lose their primary breadwinner. The programme is linked to Article 41 of the Indian Constitution, which addresses public assistance in cases such as old age, sickness and disability, subject to the country's economic capacity and development.
The approved allocation of ₹53,428 crore covers the programme for the full five year period. It is not an annual allocation and is not intended exclusively for disability pensions. The programme is expected to benefit around 3.2 crore people across India.
Detailed implementation guidelines covering eligibility, beneficiary coverage and assistance rates are expected within three months. These guidelines will clarify how the revised disability pension provisions will be applied and how eligible beneficiaries can access the updated assistance.
The Cabinet decision combines the renaming of three pension schemes previously carrying Indira Gandhi’s name with a broader continuation of national social assistance. While the new titles change how the programmes are identified, the revised disability pension criteria and payment amounts represent the main changes to the assistance provided to eligible beneficiaries.