UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Cabinet approves continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31

Q1. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Under the 2026 revision of the National Social Assistance Programme, the central disability pension in each age band is set higher than the central widow pension in the corresponding age band.
  2. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 requires government social security schemes for persons with disabilities to provide assistance at least 25% higher than similar schemes applicable to others.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Before the 2026 revision, a BPL adult certified with 60% locomotor disability could be a person with 'benchmark disability' under disability law and yet be ineligible for the central disability pension under NSAP.
  2. The 40% threshold for disability entitlements was introduced into Indian law for the first time by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, replacing an 80% norm in the 1995 Act.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Consider the following persons under the disability pension of the National Social Assistance Programme as revised in 2026: Which of the persons given above would be eligible for central assistance?

  1. A 10-year-old child in a BPL household, certified with 50% locomotor disability
  2. A 5-year-old child in a BPL household, certified with 40% hearing impairment
  3. A 50-year-old in a household above the poverty line, certified with 90% disability
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 only

Q4. Consider the following facts about the old-age pension under the National Social Assistance Programme: the central assistance for ages 60–79 is ₹200 a month in every State; State top-ups range from about ₹50 to ₹5,700 a month; and the average pension in many States/UTs is around ₹1,100 a month. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. In many States, the State's own contribution forms the larger part of the old-age pension received by a beneficiary aged 60–79.
  2. States that pay higher top-ups have higher per capita incomes than States that pay lower top-ups.
  3. An increase in the central rate would raise the pension received only in States that pay no top-up.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3