National Social Assistance Program

National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a welfare program by the Government of India aimed at providing financial assistance to the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. It ensures a minimum level of social support for vulnerable groups who are unable to sustain themselves due to age, disability, or other social conditions.

Administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, NSAP is a core component of India’s social security system and directly contributes to poverty alleviation and inclusive development.

The major components under NSAP include:

• 1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) – Pension for elderly citizens aged 60 years and above.
• 2. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) – Financial support to widowed women aged 40–59 years.
• 3. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) – For persons aged 18–59 years with severe disabilities.
• 4. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) – One-time assistance for families upon the death of the primary breadwinner.
• 5. Annapurna Scheme – 10 kg of free food grains per month to eligible senior citizens not receiving pensions under IGNOAPS.