Apply for UDID disability certificate (40% benchmark, RPwD Act, 2016) — 2026 guide

The RPwD Act, 2016 recognises 21 specified disabilities (up from 7 under the older 1995 Act):

1. Blindness
2. Low vision
3. Leprosy cured persons
4. Hearing impairment (deaf and hard of hearing)
5. Locomotor disability
6. Dwarfism
7. Intellectual disability
8. Mental illness
9. Autism spectrum disorder
10. Cerebral palsy
11. Specific learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia)
12. Multiple sclerosis
13. Speech and language disability
14. Thalassemia
15. Hemophilia
16. Sickle cell disease
17. Multiple disabilities including deafblindness
18. Acid attack victim
19. Parkinson's disease
20. Muscular dystrophy
21. Chronic neurological conditions

Most benefits require at least 40% assessed disability in any one or combination of these categories. Some benefits require higher thresholds (e.g., 80% for higher pension, 70% for some scholarships).

1. Go to swavlambancard.gov.in → “Apply for Disability Certificate & UDID Card”.
2. Register with mobile + email.
3. Fill Form A (personal details, address, education, employment, family income).
4. Fill Form B (disability details — type, since when, current condition, treating doctor).
5. Upload: Aadhaar, passport-size photo, proof of date of birth, address proof, any existing medical records related to the disability (prescription, diagnosis report, treating doctor's note).
6. Choose your CMO / District Hospital for assessment.
7. Submit. You'll get an Enrollment Number by SMS/email — note it down.

• The CMO office schedules an appointment with the District Medical Board — composition: CMO/Civil Surgeon as chairperson, plus specialists (orthopedic, ENT, ophthalmology, psychiatry, pediatrics) depending on disability.
• Carry: enrollment number printout, all original medical records, Aadhaar, photo ID.
• Board members examine and assess disability percentage as per the official guidelines (Government Notification S.O. 76(E), 4 January 2018).
• Certificate is uploaded to swavlambancard.gov.in by the CMO office; typically takes 2-4 weeks after the board meets.

• Once issued, log into swavlambancard.gov.in → “Track Application” → download UDID PDF.
• Physical PVC card is dispatched by post — usually 30-60 days.
• The PDF works at every government office and most concessions accept it as proof.

• Permanent disabilities (e.g., congenital blindness, complete paraplegia): UDID is valid for life.
• Variable / progressive disabilities (e.g., low vision, mild intellectual disability, certain mental illnesses): valid 5 years — must be re-assessed.
• Children below 18: valid until 18 — re-assessment after adulthood.

The PIO is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the District Hospital. Some states designate the Civil Surgeon or the Director, Medical and Health Services. The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (under §79 of the RPwD Act) is a parallel grievance route.

[Your full name]
[Address]
[Mobile] · [Email]
[Date]

To,
The Public Information Officer
Office of the Chief Medical Officer
[District] District Hospital
[State] - [PIN]

Subject: Application under RTI Act, 2005 regarding non-scheduling of Medical Board for UDID assessment — Enrollment No. [number]

Sir/Madam,

Under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005, I, [Name], holder of UDID Enrollment Number [number] applied online on [date] at swavlambancard.gov.in, respectfully request the following information:

1. The current status of my application Enrollment No. [number], including the scheduled date of Medical Board appearance.

2. The total number of UDID applications pending Medical Board assessment at this District Hospital, broken up by enrollment date (month-wise) for the last 12 months.

3. The constitution of the District Medical Board for UDID assessment as on date — names, designations, and specialties of all members.

4. The frequency at which the District Medical Board has met during the last 12 months (date-wise list).

5. The provisions of the RPwD Rules, 2017 + Government Notification S.O. 76(E) of 4 January 2018 that prescribe (a) maximum waiting time for Medical Board, (b) minimum frequency of Board meetings, and (c) minimum composition.

6. The action taken in cases where assessment is delayed beyond the prescribed time.

7. A copy of the file noting on my application from the date of online submission until today, including the expected date of certificate issuance.

I enclose the prescribed fee of Rs. 10/- by [Court Fee Stamp / IPO / cash receipt as per state RTI Rules].

Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
[Name]

Under §79 of the RPwD Act, the State Commissioner has powers of a civil court and can summon the CMO and order remedial action. File a brief complaint by email or post; this often produces faster results than RTI alone.

You can appeal within 30 days of the certificate to the State Medical Board (composed of senior specialists). The appeal is filed at the Directorate of Medical and Health Services at the state capital.

Common reasons for under-assessment:

• Board did not consider all medical records you submitted (RTI for the file noting + assessment sheet).
• Wrong category applied (e.g., classifying autism as “mental illness”).
• Specialist for your specific disability was absent at the Board.

The appeal process is itself time-bound — write to the State Commissioner in parallel if delayed.

• Choosing a CMO outside your district. Apply only at the CMO of the district where you ordinarily reside (where Aadhaar address is).
• Bringing photocopies only. Carry originals of all medical records to the Board — they must verify originals.
• Skipping the medical history section. Form B asks for treating doctor, prescription history, hospital admissions — fill in detail; this strengthens the assessment.
• Confusing UDID with Niramaya. UDID is the certificate. Niramaya is a separate disability insurance scheme for autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and multiple disabilities. See Niramaya guide.
• Not getting the percentage in writing. The assessment percentage is what unlocks specific benefits — check that the certificate states “X% disability” clearly. If not, ask the Board for a corrigendum.

• Many states run special drive boards quarterly — ask the CMO office in writing for the next drive date. The volume of cases on a drive day is higher but the wait is shorter.
• Camp boards are often held at block PHCs/CHCs for remote applicants — the District Disability Welfare Officer has the schedule.
• 80% disability unlocks higher benefits (full IT 80U deduction ₹1.25 lakh, full PMAY-G priority, double scholarship in some states). If your condition is severe, push for accurate assessment.
• After UDID, also apply for: Disability ID card from your state social welfare (sometimes still required for state schemes), railway concession card (see that guide), and Ayushman Bharat / state insurance if eligible.

Q. What's the difference between the old “disability certificate” and UDID? UDID is the single national version issued under the RPwD Act, 2016. Old state certificates are gradually being phased out — most benefits since 2022 require a UDID number.

Q. Is there any fee for UDID application? No — application, Medical Board assessment, certificate issuance, and PVC card dispatch are all free.

Q. My disability is 35%. Will I get the card? Yes — the UDID card is issued for any percentage. But most legal benefits (reservation, IT deduction, scholarships) require the 40% benchmark. The card will state your percentage — you can claim only the benefits that apply to that level.

Q. Can I apply for my child? Yes. Parents/guardians can apply on behalf of minor or adult dependents. Child certificates are valid until 18, then re-assessment.

Q. The Medical Board changed my percentage from previous certificate. Can I appeal? Yes — within 30 days, to the State Medical Board, with all medical records and the previous certificate as evidence.

UDID is more than paperwork — it's the gateway to constitutional entitlements under the RPwD Act. The system is honest in policy but slow in practice; medical board backlogs of 6-12 months are common. The RTI route surfaces the actual backlog, the board's meeting frequency, and the file noting on your case — and that visibility usually triggers a special drive or priority assessment within weeks. Use it without hesitation.

• Niramaya disability insurance
• Child disability certificate
• Disability rail concession
• 4% reservation in govt jobs
• Disability helplines

• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 + Rules, 2017
• Govt. of India Notification S.O. 76(E), 4 January 2018 — assessment guidelines
• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities — swavlambancard.gov.in
• RTI Act, 2005 §§6, 7, 19

Last reviewed: 27 April 2026.