Context (IE): A recent evaluation found that the central old-age pension under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) has lost nearly half its real value to inflation.

ABOUT

•        NSAPà Centrally sponsored scheme for the elderly, widows, and severely disabled persons from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

•        Launched in 1995

•        Under the Ministry of Rural Development, it fulfils the Directive Principles of Article 41.

•        Cash grants under the scheme are sent via DBT.

•        The SAMBAL Mobile App lets citizens check application status, and the Digital Life Certificate App supports annual life certificate verifications.

Core Sub-Schemes: NSAP comprises five programmes—

•        Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) gives ₹200/month to those aged 60–79 and ₹500 to those above 80.

•        Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)à Provides ₹300/month to widows aged 40–79, and ₹500 to those over 80.

•        Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) provides ₹300/month to individuals aged 18–79 with severe or multiple disabilities of at least 80%. Those 80+ receive ₹500.

•        National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) provides ₹20,000 lump-sum aid to households after the primary breadwinner’s death. The breadwinner, including homemakers, must be aged 18–59.

•        Annapurna Scheme provides 10 kg of free food grains monthly to senior citizens eligible under IGNOAPS who do not receive pensions.