National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
Current Affairs & Government Schemes › Rural Development Schemes · Topic 1.8
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, started on 15 August 1995, that gives basic social security to poor persons who are old, widowed or disabled and to families that lose their breadwinner. It is the central programme that gives effect to the Directive Principle in Article 41, which asks the State to secure public assistance in old age, sickness and disablement. Its main parts are the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, the widow and disability pension schemes, the National Family Benefit Scheme and the Annapurna Scheme.
6 min read · UPSC Prelims · Current Affairs & Government Schemes · Rural Development Schemes
At a Glance
- Launch 15 August 1995
- Ministry Rural Development
- Constitutional link Article 41, Directive Principles
- Main parts IGNOAPS, IGNWPS, IGNDPS, NFBS, Annapurna
- Target group Poor elderly, widows, disabled and bereaved families
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs and Government Schemes: Rural Development Schemes
Where Does It Fit?
This is the eighth topic of the macro on rural development. It is a direct pension and cash support, and it sits with the other floors of social security, such as work in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and livelihoods under the national mission on rural livelihoods. Previous topic: Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). Next topic: Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA).
What Are the Components of NSAP?
| Component | Who gets it and how much |
|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) | For persons aged 60 and above in families below the poverty line. The central pension is Rs 200 a month for ages 60 to 79 and Rs 500 for 80 and above |
| Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) | For widows aged 40 to 79 from poor families, with Rs 300 a month from the Centre, rising to Rs 500 from age 80 |
| Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) | For persons aged 18 to 79 with severe or multiple disabilities of 80 per cent or more, with Rs 300 a month and Rs 500 from age 80 |
| National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) | A lump sum of Rs 20,000 to a poor family on the death of the primary breadwinner aged 18 to 59 |
| Annapurna Scheme | Ten kg of food grains a month free to eligible senior citizens who are not getting a pension under the old age scheme |
How Is NSAP Run and Where Does It Fall Short?
- Type of scheme: a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, with the Centre giving a fixed central pension and states adding top-ups from their own budgets
- Beneficiary list: selection is by the state and the Panchayat or urban body, using a poverty list
- Payment: pensions are sent by direct benefit transfer to bank or post office accounts and track through the NSAP portal
- Social audit: the guidelines ask for social audit and display of lists at the Panchayat
- Fixed central rate: the central amounts of Rs 200 and Rs 500 for old age pension have not been revised for many years, which has drawn criticism
- State top-ups: several states add large amounts, so the actual pension varies a lot, from the central floor to well over Rs 1,000 a month
- Exclusion: many eligible people are left out due to errors in the poverty list, lack of documents and Aadhaar seeding problems
- Coverage cap: the Centre fixes a state wise cap on the number of beneficiaries, based on older poverty estimates
What Else Should You Remember?
- History: NSAP was launched in 1995 with three parts, the old age pension, the family benefit scheme and the maternity benefit. The maternity part was later moved to the health programmes
- Renaming: The old age pension was renamed after Indira Gandhi when the widow and disability schemes were added in 2009 and 2011
- Article 41: Article 41 asks the State to make effective provision for the right to work, education and public assistance in old age, sickness, disablement and want
- Article 38 and 39: The Directive Principles on reducing inequality and securing livelihood also support the programme
- Link to rights: Pensions are a welfare measure and not a legal right, unlike the job guarantee in MGNREGA
- Beneficiary size: The scheme covers a few crore beneficiaries, as reported in Ministry data, so cite a dated figure only if it is verified
- Digital: A Public Financial Management System and DBT have made payments faster, but errors in bank seeding still cause delays
- Age change: Many reform groups have asked for a universal pension for all old people, and for raising the central amount to match wage levels
- Other pensions: Senior citizens also get support under other programmes, as in the national programme for the elderly, and the Atal Pension Yojana is a contributory scheme for informal workers
- Urban gap: NSAP is run by the Rural Development Ministry but covers poor in urban areas too, through state and urban bodies
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Components: five parts with the age limits and amounts
- Constitution: Article 41 and the Directive Principles
- Ministry: Rural Development, launched on 15 August 1995
- Amounts: Rs 200 and Rs 500 for old age; Rs 300 for widow and disability
- Family benefit: Rs 20,000 on the death of a breadwinner aged 18 to 59
As an analytical point, a pension that is fixed in rupee terms loses its value as prices rise. The central floor has stayed low while states with fiscal room give more, which increases regional gaps. Indexing the amount and moving to universal coverage for the old would improve fairness.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Article 41 Link to Directive Principles
- Components Age limits and amounts
- Gaps Low unrevised pension
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the national mission that taught digital skills to rural households. Next topic: Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA).
Key People and Terms
- IGNOAPS Old age pension
- IGNWPS Widow pension
- IGNDPS Disability pension
- NFBS Family benefit scheme
- Annapurna Free grain to old persons
- DBT Direct benefit transfer
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Started on 15 August 1995.
- Old age pension: Rs 200 (60 to 79) and Rs 500 (80 and above).
- Family benefit: Rs 20,000.
- Annapurna: 10 kg grain a month.
- Constitutional link: Article 41.
Do Not Confuse With
- NSAP and Atal Pension Yojana A non-contributory welfare pension versus a contributory pension
- IGNOAPS and Annapurna Cash pension versus free grain
- NSAP and MGNREGA Pension for those who cannot work versus work for those who can
Memory Hook
Old, widowed or disabled, the Centre pays a small floor and states add on top.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the adequacy of social security and the exclusion of the poor. These points give a balanced frame.
- Merits Basic floor, direct transfer, link to Directive Principles
- Demerits Low unrevised amount, exclusion errors, coverage caps
- Way ahead Index the pension, widen coverage, use better data
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the adequacy of the National Social Assistance Programme in providing social security to the poor and suggest reforms.”
How to Answer
- Intro Programme of 1995 and Article 41.
- Components Pensions and family benefit.
- Gaps Low amount, exclusion and caps.
- Way Index and expand coverage.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Social Assistance Programme?
NSAP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, launched on 15 August 1995. It provides pensions to poor elderly persons, widows and disabled persons, a lump sum to families on the death of a breadwinner and free food grain to eligible old persons.
What are the components of NSAP?
The components are the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, the National Family Benefit Scheme and the Annapurna Scheme. Each has a defined age group, a central amount and an eligibility rule.
How much pension does the Centre give under NSAP?
Under the old age pension the Centre gives Rs 200 a month for ages 60 to 79 and Rs 500 for those 80 and above. For widows and disabled persons it gives Rs 300 a month and Rs 500 from age 80. Many states add their own amount on top.
What is the National Family Benefit Scheme?
The National Family Benefit Scheme gives a lump sum of Rs 20,000 to a poor household on the death of the primary breadwinner, who must be aged 18 to 59. The payment is meant to give quick support to the bereaved family during a time of income loss and funeral costs.
Which Article of the Constitution is linked with NSAP?
NSAP gives effect to Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy, which asks the State to make effective provision within its means for public assistance in old age, sickness and disablement. Articles 38 and 39 on reducing inequality and securing livelihood also support the programme.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 NSAP was launched on 15 August 1995.
By the Rural Development Ministry.
2 The central old age pension for those aged 80 and above under NSAP is Rs 500.
Rs 200 is for ages 60 to 79.
3 The National Family Benefit Scheme gives Rs 2 lakh to a family.
It gives Rs 20,000.
4 NSAP is linked with Article 41 of the Constitution.
Public assistance in old age and disablement.
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