Lok Sabha Question No. 1803 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-10
Subject: Effectiveness of NSAP
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1803

## ANSWERED ON 10/02/2026

## EFFECTIVENESS OF NSAP

## 1803. Smt. PoonambenHematbhaiMaadam:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENTbe pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the various components implemented under the National Social AssistanceProgramme (NSAP);
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  effectiveness  of NSAP in achieving itsobjective  of  providing  social  assistance to  the  poor,  particularly  elderly  persons,  widows  andpersons with disabilities;
- (c)
- if so, the broad outcomes thereof;
- (d) whether any technology-based interventions have been integrated into the implementationand monitoring of NSAP to improve transparency and delivery of benefits; and
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

- (a): National  Social  Assistance  Programme  (NSAP)  is  a  100% funded centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) covering persons belonging  to  families  living  below  poverty  line  (BPL).  It  comprises the following five schemes:
- i. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme - Assistance of ₹ 200/- per month to persons in the age group of 60-79 years and ₹ 500/- per month to persons of 80 years and above.
- ii. Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme - Assistance of ₹300/-  per  month  to  widows  in  the  age-group  of  40-79  years and ₹ 500/- per month to widows of 80 years and above.
- iii. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme - Assistance of  ₹300/-  per  month  to  divyangjans  aged  18-79  years  with severe  or  multiple  disabilities  and  ₹  500/-  per  month  to divyangjans of 80 years and above.

- iv. National Family Benefit Scheme - A one-time assistance of ₹ 20,000/-  to  the  bereaved  household  on  the  death  of  primary breadwinner aged between 18 and 59 years.
- v. Annapurna  Scheme  -  10  kg  of  food  grains  per  month  free  of cost  to  those  senior  citizens  who,  though  eligible,  are  not receiving old age pension.
3. (b) & (c):  From  time  to  time,  various  impact  assessment  and evaluation  studies  have  been  carried  out  to  assess  the  impact  of NSAP  schemes  by  the  Ministry  and  NITI Aayog. Additionally, National  Level  Monitoring  (NLM)  is  an  initiative  of  the  Ministry designed  to  ensure  transparency,  accountability,  and  continuous improvement  across  rural  development  programmes.  By  engaging independent  third-party  monitors,  the  system  provides  unbiased insights  into  how  schemes  are  being  implemented  on  the  ground level.

The assessments indicate satisfactory implementation at the grass root level, with most beneficiaries expressing overall satisfaction with the processes of selection, sanction, and disbursement of pensions. The studies also find that pensions are primarily used to meet essential needs such as food and healthcare. At the same time, they have recommended further strengthening of the  programme  through  measures  such  as  improving  adequacy  of assistance, ensuring timely and regular payments, enhancing beneficiary verification and monitoring systems etc.

- (d) & (e): The  Ministry  has  integrated  several  technology-based interventions in the implementation and monitoring of the NSAP to improve transparency and delivery of benefits. A web-based pension payment portal, NSAP-PPS (National Social Assistance ProgrammePension  Payment  System)  has  been  operationalized  as  an  end-toend digital tool for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode disbursal of pension  through  PFMS.  The  platform  is  used  for  managing  and monitoring  pension  benefits  provided  to  eligible  beneficiaries.  The portal facilitates maintenance of beneficiary records, processing of pension sanctions, tracking of fund disbursement to ensure transparency  and  efficiency  in  pension  delivery.  Additionally,  a Digital Life Certification (DLC) mobile application has been developed for Aadhaar-based biometric verification of beneficiaries.

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