The full form of NSAP in English is the National Social Assistance Programme, and it is called Rashtriya Samajik Sahayata Karyakram in Hindi. NSAP is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. It was implemented on 15 August 1995. This program is an important step towards fulfilling the Directive Principles of State Policy mentioned in Article 41 of the Indian Constitution.
Article 41 of the Constitution directs the state to provide public assistance to citizens in case of unemployment, old age, illness, and disability. Throughout this article, we will share all the details regarding NSAP updates, exploring coverage and the impact of social pensions.
Objective of NSAP
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a social security and welfare program that assists older persons, widows, disabled individuals, and bereaved families after the death of the main breadwinner in Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
Currently, NSAP consists of five schemes:
- Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS)
- Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
- Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)
- National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
- Annapurna Yojana
Eligibility and Scale of Assistance
To qualify for the benefits under NSAP, applicants must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family according to the criteria prescribed by the Government of India. Apart from the central assistance, the States/UTs contribute an equal amount.
1. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS):
- Age 60-79 years: Rs. 200 per month
- Age 80 and above: Rs. 500 per month
2. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS):
- Eligible age: 40 years
- Pension: Rs. 300 per month
- After 80 years: Rs. 500 per month
3. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS):
- Eligible age: 18 years and above
- Disability: 80% or more
- Pension: Rs. 300 per month
- After 80 years: Rs. 500 per month
- Dwarfs are also included in the eligibility.
4. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS):
- One-time assistance of Rs. 20,000 for bereaved families in case of death of the earning member between 18 to 60 years.
- The surviving member of the family, deemed head after local enquiry, will receive this assistance.
- The family includes spouse, minor children, unmarried daughters, and dependent parents. For the death of an unmarried adult, the family includes minor siblings and dependent parents.
5. Annapurna Yojana:
Beneficiaries are given 10 kg of food grains (wheat or rice) per month to meet food security needs, mainly for senior citizens not covered under IGNOAPS.
Impact of Social Pensions
NSAP has helped reduce poverty, improve living standards, and enhance the dignity and empowerment of beneficiaries. It has also contributed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to poverty eradication, social protection, and inclusion. Between 2017 and 2021, approximately 4.65 crore beneficiaries relied on old age, widow, disability pensions, and family benefits annually.
(Disclaimer: All the information has been collected from the National Social Assistance Programme.)
FAQS
1. What is the objective of NSAP?
The objective of NSAP is to provide social assistance to poor families in cases of old age, death of the breadwinner, and maternity. It ensures minimum national standards of support, complementing benefits provided by states, and aims to offer uniform social security across the country without interruption.
2. What is the National Family Benefit Scheme?
The National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) is a component of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). It provides lump sum family benefits to families living below the poverty line in the event of the death of the main earner.
3. What are the pension schemes of the State Government?
Several states have their widow, disability, and old age pension schemes with varying eligibility criteria. These schemes are funded from state resources.