National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

It was launched in 1995 to pursue the ideal of Article 41 of the Constitution i.e. the state must ensure work and social assistance as per its capacity. NSAP ensures minimum national standard for social assistance. Social assistance is in the form of pension to most vulnerable sections i.e. old, widow, disabled etc.

• It has five components/schemes under it –
  • Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): Under the scheme, assistance is provided to persons of 60 years and above and belonging to family below poverty line as per the criteria prescribed by Government of India. Central assistance of Rs. 200 per month is provided to person in the age group of 60-79 years and Rs. 500 per month to persons of 80 and above.
  • Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS): Under the scheme, central assistance of Rs. 300/month is provided to widows in the age group of 40-79 years and belonging to family living below poverty line as prescribed.
  • Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): Under the scheme, central assistance of Rs. 300/month is provided to widows in the age group of 18-79 with severe and multiple disabilities and belonging to family below poverty line as per criteria prescribed.
  • National Family Benefit Scheme: Under the scheme, a BPL household is entitled to lump sum amount of money on the death of primary breadwinner aged between 18-59 years. The amount of assistance is Rs. 20000.
  • Annapurna: Under the Scheme, 10 kg of food grains per month are provided free to cost to those senior citizens who, though eligible under IGNOAPS, are not receiving old age pension.
• As of 2019, there are more than 3.9 crore beneficiaries under NSAP.