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Union Cabinet extends social assistance scheme to 2030-31 and renames it PMSSY
ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਉਂ?
NSAP is now PMSSY till 2030-31: the Article 41 pension scheme every welfare answer needs
NSAP extended to 2030-31 and renamed PM Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2024; factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 ਮਿੰਟ
The Union Cabinet has extended the National Social Assistance Programme from 2026-27 to 2030-31, renamed it the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana and revised the eligibility for disability pension.
The programme gives pensions to the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities from poor households.
It gives effect to the Directive Principle on public assistance in Article 41.
ਸਰੋਤ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ਮੁੱਖ ਤੱਥ
Remember these
- Union Cabinet extended the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
- NSAP has been renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (PMSSY).
- Eligibility for disability pension has been revised.
- The programme gives pensions to the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities from poor households.
- It gives effect to the Directive Principle on public assistance in Article 41.
ਪ੍ਰੀਲਿਮਜ਼ · ਮੇਨਜ਼
How the exam will ask it
ਪ੍ਰੀਲਿਮਜ਼
- Article 41, a Directive Principle of State Policy in Part IV, directs the State to provide public assistance in cases of old age, sickness and disablement, within the limits of its economic capacity.
- The National Social Assistance Programme provides pensions to the elderly, widows and persons with disabilities from poor households, and has now been renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
- Directive Principles are non-justiciable, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country.
ਮੇਨਜ਼
GS2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections. The issue is income security for the elderly, widows and disabled poor; the provision is Article 41 (DPSP), implemented through NSAP, now PMSSY, extended to 2030-31 with revised disability pension eligibility. The implication is more predictable funding and wider coverage; the way forward is timely, adequate and indexed pension amounts, accurate beneficiary identification, and direct benefit transfer to cut leakages.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:
- The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years.
- Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary.
- Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of Rs. 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
- Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1, 3 and 4
- 2 and 3 only
- 2 only
- 1, 2 and 4
ਜਵਾਬ ਵੇਖੋ
ਜਵਾਬ: B
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
The National Social Assistance Programme, extended to 2030-31, gives effect to the Directive Principle on public assistance in old age, sickness and disablement found in:
- Article 38
- Article 39
- Article 41
- Article 47
ਜਵਾਬ ਵੇਖੋ
ਜਵਾਬ: C — The correct answer is Article 41. Article 41 directs the State to provide public assistance in cases of old age, sickness and disablement within its economic capacity.
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