♿ Disability (Divyangjan) Government Schemes 2026
5 schemes — eligibility, registration & benefits
All Disability (Divyangjan) Schemes (5)
Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme 2026 — ₹1 Lakh Cover for Disability
Niramaya is a specialized health insurance scheme launched by the National Trust under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for persons with disabilities specifically covered under the National Trust Act, 1999 — namely autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and multiple disabilities. The scheme provides comprehensive health coverage up to ₹1 lakh per year on a reimbursement basis, with NO age limit (children, adults, and senior citizens are all eligible). Niramaya covers OPD, regular medical checkups for non-ailing disabled, dental and preventive dentistry, hospitalization, corrective surgeries (including congenital disability), ongoing therapies to reduce disability impact, and AYUSH treatments. The 2026-27 policy year enrolment commenced on 1 February 2026, with e-cards available from 15 April 2026. Premium is just ₹250 per year for BPL/low-income families (income below ₹15,000/month) and ₹500 for those above this threshold. Niramaya is applied for through Registered Organisations (ROs) authorised by the National Trust.
DDRS 2026 — Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme | NGO Grant for PwD Services
The Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) is a central sector scheme of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that provides grant-in-aid to NGOs and voluntary organizations for projects that rehabilitate persons with disabilities. The scheme covers 21 disabilities listed under the RPwD Act 2016 (visual, hearing, speech, locomotor, intellectual, mental illness, autism, cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, multiple disabilities, etc.). Eligible projects include cross-disability pre-school and early intervention, special schools for hearing/visual/other disabilities, vocational training centres, home-based rehabilitation, half-way homes, day-care centres, model school for inclusive education, and braille press units. Grant covers 90% of cost-norms for regular areas and 100% in special areas (North-East, hilly regions, LWE-affected districts). NGOs apply online through NGO Darpan + e-Anudaan portal. The scheme is the backbone of NGO-led disability service delivery across India.
NHFDC 2026 — National Divyangjan Finance Corporation | Concessional Loans for PwDs
The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC), also called National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC), is a non-profit company under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, established by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 1997 to economically empower persons with disabilities (PwDs) by providing concessional loans at low interest rates for self-employment, business ventures, and higher education. NHFDC channels funds through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) nominated by State Governments — covers all 21 disabilities under RPwD Act 2016 with 40%+ benchmark disability. Loan amounts range from ₹5 lakh (small business / shop) to ₹50 lakh (large enterprise) at interest rates of 5–8% per annum — substantially below commercial bank rates. Educational loans up to ₹10 lakh (India) / ₹20 lakh (abroad) at just 3.5% interest are available for PwD students. Special concessions for women PwDs, parents of PwD children, and SC/ST PwDs.
Swavlamban Health Insurance 2026 — ₹2 Lakh Coverage for All Disabled Persons
Swavlamban Health Insurance Scheme, launched in 2014 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, provides comprehensive health insurance up to ₹2 lakh per year (recently enhanced from ₹1 lakh) to persons with disabilities under all 21 categories of the RPwD Act 2016. Unlike Niramaya (which covers only 4 disabilities under National Trust Act), Swavlamban covers ALL 21 disabilities including visual, hearing, locomotor, intellectual, autism, cerebral palsy, mental illness, muscular dystrophy, multiple disabilities, dwarfism, sickle cell, leprosy, and more. Premium: FREE for families with annual income up to ₹3 lakh; ₹500/year for ₹3-6 lakh income; ₹1,000/year for higher incomes. Coverage: hospitalisation, surgeries, OPD, diagnostics, medications, prosthetic devices, rehabilitation — including disability-specific conditions usually excluded by regular insurance. Issued via New India Assurance and 3 other PSU insurers. UDID Card mandatory.
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan 2026 — Accessibility India Campaign for Divyangjan
Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign), launched on 3 December 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is the Government of India's flagship initiative to make built environment, transportation, ICT (Information & Communication Technology), and services universally accessible to persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) and senior citizens. The scheme targets 3 verticals: (1) BUILT ENVIRONMENT — 50%+ of government buildings, public spaces, airports, railway stations, bus terminals made accessible (ramps, lifts, tactile paving, braille signage); (2) TRANSPORT — all new buses, trains, aircraft mandated to have accessibility features; (3) ICT — all government websites Section 508/WCAG compliant for screen readers. Progress: 95% of A1, A, B category railway stations are now accessible; 1,500+ govt websites are accessibility-compliant. Implemented by DEPwD under MoSJE. The scheme also runs Sugamya Bharat App (citizen reporting) and Mark of Excellence for accessible buildings. Aim: 100% accessible India by 2030.
About Disability (Divyangjan) Government Schemes in India 2026
India's 2.68 crore Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities) are served by 15+ dedicated schemes under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Niramaya Health Insurance provides ₹1 lakh cover at just ₹250-500/year premium for 4 disabilities under National Trust Act (autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual, multiple). Swavlamban Health Insurance covers ALL 21 disabilities under RPwD Act 2016 with ₹2 lakh cover (FREE for income ≤₹3 lakh). ADIP Scheme provides FREE assistive devices (wheelchairs, hearing aids, prostheses, braille kits) worth ₹30,000-1,00,000. UDID Unique Disability ID is the national digital identity card for PwDs. DDRS Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme funds 200+ NGOs running special schools, early intervention, vocational training. NHFDC provides concessional loans ₹5-50 lakh @ 4-8% for self-employment + education. IGNDPS Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension gives ₹300-500/month to severely disabled BPL. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) makes built environment, transport, and ICT accessible.