Government schemes for Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities) in India
Quick Reply: India's 2.68 crore PwD (2011 census; ~10 crore est. by NSO 2024) have 30+ central schemes under RPWD Act 2016 (21 disability categories). UDID card is the gateway (free, online). ADIP (free aids + appliances), scholarships (Pre/Post-Matric, NOSGS), employment (4% govt reservation), financial inclusion (Rs 4L disability pension), accessibility (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), legal protection (RPWD Act).
Who is eligible
Indian citizen with 40%+ disability certified by Medical Board (per RPWD Act 2016). 21 categories: vision/hearing/physical/intellectual/multiple/etc.
Top 12 schemes
1. UDID (Unique Disability ID)
Free national disability ID card. Online apply via state Disability Commissioner. Replaces multiple disability certs.
- Where to apply: UDID portal
- Official portal: https://www.swavlambancard.gov.in
2. ADIP (Aids & Appliances)
Free aids — wheelchair, prosthetics, hearing aid, white cane, Braille slates, etc. Camp-based + ALIMCO outlets.
- Where to apply: ALIMCO + State Empanelled
- Official portal: https://alimco.in
3. Pre-Matric Scholarship (%%PwD%%)
Class 1-10. Rs 500/month + book + uniform allowance. Income < Rs 2.5L. Apply via NSP.
- Where to apply: NSP scholarships.gov.in
- Official portal: https://scholarships.gov.in
4. Post-Matric Scholarship (%%PwD%%)
Class 11+ to PhD. Rs 1,200-1,600/month + tuition + maintenance. Income < Rs 2.5L. NSP.
- Where to apply: NSP
- Official portal: https://scholarships.gov.in
5. National Overseas Scholarship for %%PwD%%
Up to Rs 80L for masters/PhD abroad. ~25 selections/year. PhD: 4 years; Masters: 2 years.
- Where to apply: Min of Social Justice
- Official portal: https://socialjustice.gov.in
6. Disability Employment Reservation (4%)
4% reservation in central govt jobs (1% each for VH, HH, OH, Multi). Many states: 5%. Apply via UPSC/SSC + state PSC.
- Where to apply: UPSC / state PSC
- Official portal: https://upsc.gov.in
7. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)
Rs 300/month (18-79) / Rs 500/month (80+). 80%+ disability + BPL. Apply at Block Office.
- Where to apply: NSAP
- Official portal: https://nsap.nic.in
8. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India)
Accessibility audit + retrofit of govt buildings + transport + ICT. Complaint via Sugamya app.
- Where to apply: Sugamya Bharat App
- Official portal: https://sugamyabharat.gov.in
9. National Action Plan for Skill Development of %%PwD%%
Free skill training + 100% placement. NHFDC + State Disability Welfare.
- Where to apply: NHFDC
- Official portal: https://nhfdc.nic.in
10. National Disabled Finance Development Corp (NHFDC)
Loans up to Rs 25L for self-employment + education. Subsidised interest.
- Where to apply: NHFDC
- Official portal: https://nhfdc.nic.in
11. Income Tax §80U
Rs 75,000 deduction (40-79% disability) / Rs 1.25L (80%+). Self only. ITR auto-claim.
- Where to apply: Income Tax
- Official portal: https://www.incometax.gov.in
12. Railway Concession (%%PwD%%)
50-75% on rail ticket. Locomotor disability + escort: 75%. ID Card via railway booking centre.
- Where to apply: IRCTC
- Official portal: https://www.irctc.co.in
How to apply (general process)
UDID first (online + free). Then most schemes auto-link via UDID number. Aadhaar + bank account in own name + Disability Certificate from Medical Board.
Helplines
- National Disability Helpline 14456 — multilingual
- State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities — varies
- NHFDC: 0129-2287512
Common issues + how to handle
- UDID rejected — disability % below 40 or category mismatch. Re-apply with correct medical certificate.
- ADIP wait long — file RTI to ALIMCO regional centre + State Disability Welfare.
- Job reservation not given — file complaint to Chief Commissioner for PwD + RTI for vacancy notification.
- Pension < Rs 500 — state top-up varies (Rs 500-2,000); check state welfare scheme.
If a scheme is delayed or rejected — file an RTI
Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:
1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date. 2. Name + designation of dealing officer assigned to my file. 3. Reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline. 4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days. 5. Likely date of disbursement / decision.
Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →
Frequently asked questions
Old disability cert — convert to UDID?
Yes — UDID portal accepts old certs + auto-issues new card. Free.
UDID = SADAREM (Telangana)?
No — SADAREM is TS state portal. UDID is national. Telangana has dual; both valid.
Disability % calculation — appeal possible?
Yes — Re-evaluation by state Medical Board on application. RTI for evaluation criteria.
Job reservation — private sector covered?
No — only govt + PSU. Private sector has DOPT directions but no reservation. Some states have private reservation.
Scholarship delayed > 90 days. Fix?
File RTI to Institution + DNO. Use scholarship RTI generator.
Summary + what to do next
Quick Reply: 12 central + state schemes available. Aadhaar + bank account in own name + community/income certificate (if applicable) is the gateway. If a scheme is delayed beyond timeline, file an RTI.
- Browse all 10 audience hubs: All audience hubs
- How to apply step-by-step: 25 application guides
- Track applications: 25 status-check guides
- If stuck — RTI Drafter: File RTI in 5 minutes
- Talk to other citizens: AwaazRTI community
Related reading
Sources
- Each scheme's official portal (linked above).
- Ministry budget documents + scheme operational guidelines.
- Citizen feedback via AwaazRTI (composite, identifying details removed).
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.
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