National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2026: Certificate and Shield for Outstanding Institutions

At a glance

About the scheme

The National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are annual awards given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to honour individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to empowering persons with disabilities. These awards include categories for individual excellence and institutions engaged in empowerment activities. The awards ceremony is held on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, and the awards are presented by the President or Vice President of India. The scheme also includes a special award for placement agencies that provide outstanding employment support to persons with disabilities.

Benefits

• Awardees receive a certificate and a shield.
• One award for providing holistic comprehensive rehabilitation services.
• One award for promoting and imparting inclusive education or preparing children with disabilities for higher studies.
• Boarding and lodging expenses for awardees and one escort are covered by the Department.
• To and fro travelling expenses and accommodation for up to one day before and after the ceremony are reimbursed.
• TA/DA admissibility for awardees and escorts is equivalent to a Class-I Central Government officer.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Award is given to outstanding employers of persons with disabilities in government organisations.
• Public Sector Undertakings, Autonomous Bodies, and Local Government Bodies are eligible.
• Private or Non-Governmental Organisations can apply.
• Placement agencies must have placed at least 50% of registered unemployed disabled persons in employment during the last five years, with at least 30% women among them.
• The percentage of dropout employees should not exceed 20% in a given year.
• Placement officers must provide placement to all categories of disabled persons maintaining balance among them.

Who cannot apply

• Government/State Government/local bodies are excluded from the 'Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Placement Agency' award category.

Documents required

• Certificate of Registration showing year of establishment.
• Proof of address for communication.
• Proofs regarding the nature of work undertaken by the institution.
• Certificates or appreciation letters of special or outstanding achievements in the past ten years at international, national, state, district, or organisation level.
• Details of awards or honours received with citations and justification.
• Any other achievements for consideration of the award.

How to apply

1. 1Visit the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in and register by clicking 'Register' on the homepage.
2. 2Fill in all mandatory fields, accept the declaration, complete the captcha, and submit to receive login credentials.
3. 3Login to the portal using your credentials and select 'National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities' from the list of awards.
4. 4Click 'Nominate / Apply Now' and complete the online application form in Hindi or English.
5. 5Submit the application before the last date as announced on the portal.

Frequently asked questions