Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)

What is it?

The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme is one of the five components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), run by the Ministry of Rural Development in both rural and urban areas.

The scheme gives a monthly pension to persons with severe or multiple disabilities who are aged between 18 and 79 years and who belong to families living below the poverty line. Central assistance is Rs 300 per month for this age group. For beneficiaries aged 80 years and above, central assistance is Rs 500 per month.

As with the other NSAP pensions, these amounts are the Central Government's share alone. States and Union Territories are expected to add a top-up from their own funds, and the size of that top-up varies widely between states. The total pension credited each month therefore depends on the state of residence.

Gram Panchayats and Municipalities take an active part in identifying eligible people. Payment is normally by Direct Benefit Transfer into a bank or post office savings account, or by postal money order, with doorstep cash allowed in extreme cases where the beneficiary cannot reach the bank or post office.

More than 8.33 lakh people were recorded as beneficiaries under this component, and Rs 243.74 crore was released to States and UTs under it for the year 2024-25. The budget allocation for 2025-26 was Rs 290 crore.

Potential benefit

₹300 – ₹500 per month (central share only)

Central assistance is Rs 300 per month for beneficiaries aged 18 to 79 years with severe or multiple disabilities, and Rs 500 per month for beneficiaries aged 80 years and above. States and UTs add a further top-up from their own funds, so the final monthly figure differs from state to state.

Who can apply?

Other conditions stated by the government

• Age between 18 and 79 years for the Rs 300 per month central slab; age 80 years and above for the Rs 500 per month central slab.
• The person must have a severe or multiple disability.
• The person must belong to a family living below the poverty line, as identified by the Government of India.
• There is a scheme-wise ceiling or cap for each State and UT on the number of beneficiaries.

Eligibility information is provided for informational purposes only. Final eligibility and approval are determined by the relevant government authority.

How to apply

Applications go through the Gram Panchayat or Municipality, which identify eligible beneficiaries under NSAP, or through the state department that runs NSAP locally. After sanction, payment is made by DBT into a bank or post office account, or by postal money order. Annual life verification can be completed using the Aadhaar-based Digital Life Certificate mobile application.

Where to apply: offline and panchayat

Deadline

No fixed deadline. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.