DDRS Disabled Rehabilitation — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | DDRS 2026 — Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme | NGO Grant for PwD Services |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2003 |
| Benefit | Up to 90% grant-in-aid for NGOs running special schools, early intervention & vocational training |
| Category | Disability (Divyangjan) |
| Last Verified | 23 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://grants.depwd.gov.in |
What is DDRS Disabled Rehabilitation?
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.
Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive Up to 90% grant-in-aid for NGOs running special schools, early intervention & vocational training. The scheme was launched in 2003 and is implemented by the Government of India.
Benefits of DDRS Disabled Rehabilitation
Up to 90% grant-in-aid for NGOs running special schools, early intervention & vocational training
Who is Eligible for DDRS Disabled Rehabilitation?
- ✓NGO registered under Societies Registration Act 1860 / Indian Trust Act 1882 / Section 8 of Companies Act 2013
- ✓Registration must be in force for at least 2 years at the time of applying
- ✓NGO must be registered on NITI Aayog NGO Darpan portal with a Unique ID
- ✓Must have proven experience in disability sector (audited accounts of past 2 years required)
- ✓Project should serve persons with any of the 21 disabilities under RPwD Act 2016
- ✓Must have requisite infrastructure: building, trained staff (special educators, therapists), accessibility features
Documents Required for DDRS Disabled Rehabilitation
How to Apply for DDRS Disabled Rehabilitation Online?
- 1Register your NGO on NITI Aayog NGO Darpan portal (ngodarpan.gov.in) — obtain Unique ID and KYC verification
- 2Visit DEPwD e-Anudaan portal at grants.depwd.gov.in — log in using NGO Darpan credentials
- 3Select 'DDRS' from the list of schemes and start a new application
- 4Fill the project proposal — type of project (special school / EI / vocational / day care), location, beneficiary numbers, budget
- 5Upload required documents — registration certificate, PAN, 12A/80G, audited accounts, infrastructure photos
- 6Specify cost-norm-based budget — DEPwD evaluates against revised cost norms (90% in regular areas, 100% in special areas)
- 7Submit application — DEPwD's State Coordinator / Field Office conducts on-site inspection of NGO infrastructure
- 8After inspection report, application is placed before the DDRS Grants-in-Aid Committee for sanction
- 9If approved, grant is released in instalments through PFMS direct to NGO's bank account — annual renewal subject to performance audit
Official Government Portal
Apply directly on the official government website. This is the only authorised portal — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
🔗Apply on grants.depwd.gov.inFrequently Asked Questions — DDRS Disabled Rehabilitation
Common Questions About Disability (Divyangjan) Schemes
Who is eligible for Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme?+
Persons with disabilities specifically covered under the National Trust Act, 1999 — autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and multiple disabilities. Must hold a valid disability certificate (40%+) with UDID Card or UDID enrolment number. No age limit.
What is the premium for Niramaya?+
Just ₹250/year for BPL families and those with monthly family income below ₹15,000. For families with monthly income above ₹15,000, the premium is ₹500/year. This makes Niramaya the most affordable disability health insurance in India.
What is the interest rate on NHFDC loan?+
Interest rates are heavily concessional: 5% for educational loans (India), 4% for studying abroad, 6% for self-employment loans up to ₹50,000, 7% for loans ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh, and 8% for loans above ₹5 lakh (up to ₹50 lakh). Women PwDs get an additional 1% rebate.
What types of activities can be financed by NHFDC loan?+
Self-employment activities: small shops, beauty parlour, dairy farming, poultry, fish farming, agri-business, retail trade, taxi service, mobile repair, computer training centre, photocopy/Xerox shop, garment shop, food processing unit, handicraft production, and any other viable income-generating activity. Plus education loans for higher studies in India and abroad.
How is Swavlamban different from Niramaya Health Insurance?+
SWAVLAMBAN: Covers ALL 21 disabilities under RPwD Act 2016; ₹2 lakh cover; FREE for income up to ₹3 lakh (₹500-1,000 for higher). NIRAMAYA: Covers only 4 disabilities under National Trust Act (autism, CP, intellectual, multiple); ₹1 lakh cover; ₹250-500 premium. Swavlamban is broader; Niramaya is specific. A person can hold only ONE of these — choose based on disability type and family income.
Related Disability (Divyangjan) Schemes
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.
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.