How to apply for Niramaya health insurance — complete 2026 guide

About 2.4 lakh persons with disabilities were enrolled in Niramaya as of December 2025 (National Trust Annual Report). Around 76% of all claims are settled cashless; the rest (mostly from non-empanelled hospital emergencies) are reimbursed within 30-60 days. The biggest reason families miss out on Niramaya is simply not knowing it exists — most Disability Certificate holders are eligible but never enrol.

Niramaya is the National Trust's flagship health insurance scheme for persons with the four “National Trust disabilities” + their families. It was launched in 2008, revised in 2017, and again in 2024 with an enhanced cover and updated empanelment.

The scheme is governed by:

• The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 — particularly §10 which mandates the Trust to provide insurance and other support.
• The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act) — particularly §38 which requires the government to provide special schemes for persons with disabilities.
• National Trust Notifications of 2008, 2017, and 2024 setting out scheme parameters.
• Administered by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE).

Niramaya is different from Ayushman Bharat PMJAY. PMJAY is a national scheme for BPL/SECC-listed families with ₹5 lakh cover; Niramaya is specifically for the four National Trust disabilities, has a smaller ₹1 lakh cover, but is far cheaper (₹250-500/year vs PMJAY's ₹0) and covers pre-existing disability conditions from day one — which PMJAY does not. Many families hold both: PMJAY for general illness + Niramaya for disability-specific needs.

The PWD must have one of the four “National Trust disabilities”:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Cerebral Palsy (CP)
• Mental Retardation / Intellectual Disability (ID)
• Multiple Disabilities involving any combination of the above + others (visual, hearing, locomotor)

The disability must be certified at 40% or above by a competent medical authority — and the certification must be in the form of:

• A UDID (Unique Disability ID) Card — preferred, mandatory for new enrolments since 2024. See RTI for UDID Disability Certificate.
• OR an old-format Disability Certificate issued before UDID rollout — accepted as interim until UDID is generated.

Niramaya is a family floater — the ₹1 lakh cover is shared by:

• The person with disability (primary insured).
• Spouse (if married).
• Dependent children (if PWD has children).
• Dependent parents (the PWD's parents, in most cases).

In practice — for child PWDs (the most common case) — the cover is for the child + his/her parents acting as caregivers.

• BPL family — premium ₹250/year. Need to produce a state-issued BPL certificate / ration card showing BPL status.
• Non-BPL family — premium ₹500/year. No income proof needed — just a self-declaration.

There is no income cap for Niramaya — even relatively well-off families can join at ₹500.

The ₹1 lakh annual cover (per family per year) includes:

• OPD consultation — regular check-up visits, including with developmental paediatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists, and speech/occupational therapists at empanelled facilities.
• Medicines — both regular and emergency, prescribed by empanelled doctors.
• Pre-existing disability conditions covered from day one — this is Niramaya's biggest USP and what private health insurance refuses to do.
• Surgery up to ₹1 lakh — including elective surgery for disability-related conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy contracture release).
• Hospitalisation (cashless) at empanelled hospitals.
• Emergency transportation — ambulance to empanelled hospital.
• Therapy — physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy (limited per year).
• Aids and appliances — wheelchairs, hearing aids, communication devices (limited per year, usually subject to additional documentation).

• National Trust portal — https://thenationaltrust.gov.in → “Schemes” → “Niramaya”.
• Registered Organisation (RO) — the National Trust has ~1,000+ ROs across India; list filterable by state/district at the portal. Most rural and small-town families apply through the local RO because the RO does the form-filling, photo collection, and online submission for free.
• State Nodal Officer for Niramaya — varies state to state; usually within the State Disability Welfare Department.

Before applying, the PWD must hold a valid disability certificate or UDID card showing 40%+ disability in one of the four National Trust categories.

• If you don't have UDID yet, apply for it first at swavlambancard.gov.in — process takes 30-90 days. See the dedicated guide RTI for UDID Disability Certificate.
• If you have an old-format Disability Certificate (issued before UDID), use it as interim — Niramaya RO will accept it but you must apply for UDID alongside.

• Go to https://thenationaltrust.gov.in → “Find an RO” → enter state + district.
• Alternatively call National Trust HQ at 011-23388330 for the nearest RO.
• Visit the RO with the PWD and required documents.

• UDID card (or old Disability Certificate as interim) of the PWD.
• Aadhaar of PWD + spouse + dependent children + dependent parents (whoever is being covered).
• Income certificate / BPL ration card if claiming BPL premium of ₹250.
• Three passport-size photos of PWD; one each of family members being covered.
• Bank account details of PWD or guardian (cancelled cheque) — for any future reimbursement claims.
• Address proof (Aadhaar usually suffices).

• The RO has a digital terminal (CSC computer) connected to the Niramaya portal.
• The RO operator fills:
  • PWD details (name, DOB, UDID number, disability type and percentage, address).
  • Family members to be covered (name, DOB, relationship, Aadhaar).
  • BPL status (Yes/No).
  • Bank account details.
  • Preferred empanelled hospital (the system shows the list for your district — choose 1 or 2 nearest).

• ₹250 (BPL) or ₹500 (Non-BPL) at the RO counter — cash, UPI, or card.
• The RO issues a payment receipt with a temporary policy reference number.
• Some ROs also accept payment directly via the Niramaya portal's online gateway (BHIM / UPI / card).

• After premium payment, the National Trust generates the policy and prints the Niramaya Membership Card.
• The card is despatched by Speed Post to the address registered, or to the RO for collection.
• Standard delivery: 15-30 days. Some states (UP, Bihar, MP) have seen delays of 45-60 days.
• The card lists: PWD's name, family members, validity (1 year from policy date), policy number, and the 6-10 empanelled hospitals in your district.

• OPD / regular check-up: Visit any empanelled hospital with the membership card. The hospital provides consultation + medicines and bills the insurer directly.
• IPD / emergency hospitalisation: Walk into the empanelled hospital, show the card. Cashless admission.
• Non-empanelled emergency: Pay first, then submit a reimbursement claim to the National Trust through your RO with bills, prescriptions, discharge summary, and a copy of the membership card. Reimbursement at scheme rates within 30-60 days.

• Renew before the policy expiry date (printed on the card) — the RO will remind via SMS.
• Pay ₹250/₹500 again; the membership card is reissued or extended.
• If you let it lapse, you must re-enrol fresh — but no waiting period applies (pre-existing disability still covered from day one).

+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Annual premium (BPL)           | ₹250                                |
| Annual premium (Non-BPL)       | ₹500                                |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Annual cover (family floater)  | ₹1,00,000                           |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| OPD consultation               | Covered (at empanelled facilities)  |
| Medicines                      | Covered                              |
| Pre-existing disability        | Covered from day one (USP)          |
| Surgery                        | Up to ₹1 lakh                        |
| Hospitalisation cashless       | Yes (at empanelled hospital)         |
| Emergency ambulance            | Covered                              |
| Therapy (PT / OT / Speech)     | Limited per year                     |
| Aids and appliances            | Limited per year                     |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Membership card delivery       | 15-30 days (target)                  |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| Renewal cycle                  | Annual (before expiry date)          |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
| RTI to PIO National Trust      | ₹10 by IPO. BPL = free.             |
+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

• UDID not yet issued — most common roadblock for fresh applicants. Use Disability Certificate as interim; apply for UDID in parallel. See RTI for UDID.
• BPL category contested — BPL ration card may be expired or in a different family member's name. Update the BPL list at your block office or pay the non-BPL ₹500 and contest later.
• Insurance card not delivered to RO — postal/dispatch delays from National Trust HQ Delhi to far-off states. RO can lodge a complaint; NT can issue a duplicate.
• Empanelled hospital not in your area — Niramaya empanelment is district-wise; some districts have only 1-2 hospitals. Use the reimbursement route for non-empanelled hospital emergencies.
• Disability percentage below 40% — the PWD doesn't qualify for Niramaya. Reapply for a re-evaluation if you believe the percentage is understated; see UDID guide.
• Family members not listed correctly — sometimes the spouse or one parent gets dropped off the membership card. Verify on receipt; ask RO to update.
• Renewal lapse — gap between expiry and renewal means no cover during the gap. Pre-existing disability is still covered on re-enrolment, so this is not catastrophic, but any event during the gap is uninsured.
• Reimbursement claim rejected for “rate cap” — non-empanelled hospital bills are reimbursed only at scheme-approved rates, not full bill amount. Out-of-pocket may remain.

• Most issues are RO-level: card not received, claim form pending, premium receipt missing.
• Ask the RO to escalate to NT HQ on your behalf — they have a direct portal access.

• Phone: 011-23388330.
• Email: niramaya@thenationaltrust.gov.in.
• Address: 16-B, Bada Bazar Marg, Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi - 110060.
• Best for: card delivery delays, RO non-cooperation, hospital empanelment requests.

• Each state has a State Commissioner for PWD under §80 of the RPwD Act 2016.
• Hears complaints regarding any scheme or facility for persons with disabilities, including Niramaya.
• Has powers of a civil court — can summon insurer, RO, hospital.

• https://pgportal.gov.in → Ministry “Social Justice and Empowerment” → “Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities” → category “Niramaya / National Trust”.
• SLA: 30 days; escalates to Joint Secretary level.

• For systemic / multi-state issues: CCPD office, MoSJE, New Delhi.
• Can issue advisory orders binding on the National Trust and ROs.

The National Trust is a public authority under §2(h) of the RTI Act 2005 — it is a statutory body created under the National Trust Act 1999 and substantially funded by the central government.

RTI helps here when:

• Your premium of ₹500 was paid 60 days ago but no membership card is in hand — RTI to PIO National Trust for policy generation status, despatch register entry, Speed Post AWB number.
• Your reimbursement claim was rejected with a vague reason — RTI for the dealing officer's name + the calculation sheet showing rate cap applied.
• Your child's enrolment was rejected for “incorrect disability percentage” but the UDID clearly shows 60% — RTI for the rejection order + reasoning + reviewing officer.
• Your district has only 1 empanelled hospital and you want to know if more are pending empanelment — RTI for the list of pending hospital empanelment applications for your district.
• Your claim is “under processing” for 90 days — RTI for the file movement note-sheet.

See the dedicated guide: RTI for Niramaya card / claim delay — copy-ready template.

RTI does NOT help here when:

• Your child's disability is below 40% — RTI cannot lower the threshold. Apply for re-evaluation of UDID first.
• Your child has a disability outside the four National Trust categories (e.g., only locomotor disability without intellectual component) — Niramaya is restricted by statute to the four categories. Look at other schemes (state-level disability insurance, Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana for elderly, etc.).
• You want Niramaya to pay for treatment outside India — scheme is India-only; RTI cannot extend.
• You want ₹5 lakh cover like PMJAY — Niramaya cap is ₹1 lakh by notification; for higher cover you need a separate policy.
• You want a non-empanelled hospital added because it's closer — empanelment is hospital's choice (they must apply); RTI can list pending applications but not force empanelment.
• You filed enrolment last week and want status — wait at least 30 days before RTI.

Q. My child is autistic but doesn't have UDID yet. Can I still enrol in Niramaya?
Yes — for the first enrolment cycle, an old-format Disability Certificate (40%+) is accepted as interim. You must apply for UDID at swavlambancard.gov.in alongside; for renewal next year, UDID will be required.

Q. We are a BPL family but our state's BPL list is outdated and our name was dropped. Pay ₹500?
Pay ₹500 to enrol immediately (don't lose a year of cover); contest the BPL listing separately at your block office. Once corrected, next renewal will be at ₹250.

Q. My son with cerebral palsy is 22 and unmarried. Is he covered?
Yes — the PWD is the primary insured at any age. There is no upper age limit. You as parent can be covered as a dependent caregiver.

Q. My empanelled hospital says “Niramaya rate is too low, pay the difference at discharge”. Is this allowed?
No — empanelled hospitals must accept scheme rates and cannot demand top-up. Refuse, escalate to the hospital's empanelment officer + write to National Trust. RTI for the empanelment MoU to confirm rate terms.

Q. Can both my children with disability be covered under one policy?
The policy is per family. If both children are PWD with the four NT disabilities, both are covered under the same family floater of ₹1 lakh. If only one is PWD, the other (non-disabled) child is also covered as a dependent.

Q. We moved from Lucknow to Pune mid-year. Is the empanelled-hospital list updated?
Empanelment is district-wise. After moving, write to the National Trust + your old RO + new RO requesting address change + empanelment update. Cover continues nationally for emergencies; for planned care, prefer the new district's empanelled list.

Q. Niramaya vs PMJAY — which is better?
Hold both. PMJAY gives ₹5 lakh general health cover (free, only BPL/SECC-listed). Niramaya gives ₹1 lakh disability-specific cover (₹250-500/year, includes pre-existing disability). For a PWD family, both running together is the gold standard.

Q. Therapy (PT / OT / Speech) is what we need most. Will Niramaya cover full year of therapy?
Niramaya covers a limited number of therapy sessions per year (typically 30-60 sessions, varies by RO and empanelled centre). For long-term ongoing therapy, combine Niramaya with state-level scholarship schemes for special education, and with the Sahyogi caregiver training scheme of the National Trust.

Q. The membership card has only my child's name — my name as caregiver is missing. Is the cashless still available for me when I take my child?
Yes — the cover is family floater. The card prominently displays the child but parents accompanying for treatment of the child are covered for the same event. For your own (non-disability-related) hospitalisation, you would need a separate health policy.

• RTI for UDID Disability Certificate — apply / track / fix errors
• Claim disability employment reservation under RPwD Act 2016
• Apply Ayushman Bharat ABHA — for general health record
• RTI for Niramaya card / claim delay — copy-ready template
• RTI in 12 simple steps — for first-time filers
• All Indian government helplines — one master directory
• RTI forms + state-wise fee chart

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. Niramaya premium and cover are revised periodically by the National Trust — verify current rates on thenationaltrust.gov.in. Write to admin@bighelpers.in if you spot a stale figure.