Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme

Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS): ₹300 a Month for Persons with Severe Disabilities

Living with a severe disability can make it hard to earn a livelihood, and for families below the poverty line the strain is greater. The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) gives eligible persons with disabilities a monthly pension from the Central Government.

Important update: On 14 October 2026, the Union Cabinet renamed IGNDPS as the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana under the newly named Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (formerly NSAP). The Cabinet also approved revised pension provisions and changed the eligibility criteria. This post describes the scheme as it operated under the earlier rules, so check the renamed scheme’s latest guidelines before applying.

What is the scheme?

The Government of India launched IGNDPS in February 2009 under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). The Ministry of Rural Development implements it. It gives monthly financial assistance to persons with severe disabilities from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, to help them meet essential expenses with dignity.

The Central Government funds the scheme. State Governments and UT Administrations identify beneficiaries, verify applications, sanction pensions and ensure timely payment under the NSAP guidelines. Many states add their own pension on top of the central amount, so what you receive depends on where you live.

Scheme at a glance

Objectives

• Provide monthly financial assistance to persons with severe disabilities from BPL households
• Strengthen social security for people who can’t earn a regular livelihood because of disability
• Reduce the financial burden on disabled persons and their families
• Help beneficiaries meet day-to-day expenses with dignity
• Improve quality of life and encourage social inclusion

Benefits under the earlier rules

• ₹300 per month for beneficiaries aged 18 to 79 years
• ₹500 per month for beneficiaries aged 80 and above
• Coverage for persons with 80% or more disability, including physical and mental disabilities and eligible persons with dwarfism
• Possible top-up from the State Government, depending on its social security policy

What changed in October 2026

The Cabinet’s revised provisions, as covered in our post on the renamed scheme, include:

• Higher central pension: ₹375 per month (ages 0 to 79) and ₹625 per month (80 and above)
• A lower benchmark disability threshold of 40%, down from 80%
• No minimum age, so eligibility starts from birth instead of 18

The detailed guidelines for these changes were still due within three months of the Cabinet decision, so confirm current rules with your local authority.

Who was eligible under the earlier rules?

1. The applicant is an Indian citizen.
2. The applicant is 18 years or older.
3. The applicant belongs to a BPL household.
4. The applicant has a physical or mental disability of 80% or more, certified by the competent medical authority.
5. Persons with dwarfism are also eligible.

Documents required

• Duly filled application form, where applicable
• Aadhaar card
• BPL card
• Disability certificate showing 80% or more disability, issued by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Community Health Centre (CHC) or Primary Health Centre (PHC)
• Age proof, such as a birth certificate or school leaving certificate. If unavailable, a ration card or voter ID may be considered. If no valid proof exists, a government hospital Medical Officer can issue an age certificate.
• Passport-size photographs
• Bank passbook for pension payment

How to apply

The application is made online through UMANG.

1. Download the UMANG app or open the UMANG portal in your browser.
2. Log in with your mobile number and OTP. New users register first.
3. Search for “NSAP” in the Services section and open the National Social Assistance Programme.
4. Click Apply Online.
5. Choose the disability pension scheme from the list. The portal may show the old name, Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS).
6. Enter your personal details, Aadhaar number, disability details and bank account details.
7. Upload the supporting documents and a recent photograph.
8. Review everything and submit.
9. Track your application and pension payment status on UMANG.

Need help?

• Email: mis-nsap@nic.in
• Help desk portal: servicedesk.nic.in
• Address: National Social Assistance Programme Division, Department of Rural Development, Kartavya Bhavan 3, New Delhi 110114

Frequently asked questions

Has IGNDPS been renamed?
Yes. It is now the Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, following the Cabinet decision of 14 October 2026.

Who ran the scheme under the old rules?
The Ministry of Rural Development, with state governments handling identification, verification and payment.

How much pension did it pay?
₹300 a month for ages 18 to 79 and ₹500 a month for 80 and above, from the Centre.

Can State Governments add to the pension?
Yes, many do, so the total depends on your state.

Is a disability certificate mandatory?
Yes. It must show the disability percentage required by the scheme and be issued by a competent medical authority.