NHFDC Disability Loan — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | NHFDC 2026 — National Divyangjan Finance Corporation | Concessional Loans for PwDs |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 1997 |
| Benefit | Concessional loans ₹5 lakh – ₹50 lakh @ 5–8% for self-employment; Education loans @ 3.5% |
| Category | Disability (Divyangjan) |
| Last Verified | 23 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://ndfdc.nic.in |
What is NHFDC Disability Loan?
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.
Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive Concessional loans ₹5 lakh – ₹50 lakh @ 5–8% for self-employment; Education loans @ 3.5%. The scheme was launched in 1997 and is implemented by the Government of India.
Benefits of NHFDC Disability Loan
Concessional loans ₹5 lakh – ₹50 lakh @ 5–8% for self-employment; Education loans @ 3.5%
Who is Eligible for NHFDC Disability Loan?
- ✓Person with 40% or more benchmark disability (any of 21 disabilities under RPwD Act 2016)
- ✓Valid Disability Certificate with UDID Card or UDID enrolment number
- ✓Indian citizen aged 18 years or above (no upper age limit for self-employment loan)
- ✓For educational loan — must have secured admission in recognised institution in India or abroad
- ✓Annual family income below ₹3 lakh for women PwDs / ₹6 lakh for general PwDs (loan-type dependent)
- ✓Must have viable project / business plan or admission letter for educational loan
Documents Required for NHFDC Disability Loan
How to Apply for NHFDC Disability Loan Online?
- 1Identify the State Channelizing Agency (SCA) for your state — list at ndfdc.nic.in → 'State Channelizing Agencies'
- 2Visit the SCA office (typically Disability Welfare Department / SC-ST-OBC Corporation) in your district
- 3Obtain the NHFDC loan application form — Form-A (self-employment) / Form-B (educational)
- 4Fill the application with personal details, disability details (UDID), proposed project / course, and budget
- 5Attach documents — UDID Card, Aadhaar, income certificate, educational certificates, project report / admission letter, bank statements
- 6Submit application to SCA — they verify documents and conduct field appraisal of proposed project
- 7SCA forwards approved applications to NHFDC at New Delhi — sanction within 30–60 days of complete submission
- 8Loan amount disbursed in tranches to your bank account — first tranche ₹50,000–2 lakh; subsequent tranches based on project milestones
- 9Repayment in EMIs over 3–10 years (depending on loan type) at concessional 5–8% interest (3.5% for education loan)
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 ndfdc.nic.inFrequently Asked Questions — NHFDC Disability Loan
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 DDRS grant amount?+
DDRS grant covers cost-norms as per the revised guidelines — typically 90% of approved cost in regular areas and 100% in special areas (North-East, hilly, LWE-affected, Aspirational Districts). The actual grant varies by project type: special school for hearing impairment can receive ₹40–80 lakh/year depending on student strength; vocational training centre ₹20–40 lakh/year; early intervention centre ₹15–30 lakh/year.
Who can apply for DDRS grant?+
Only registered NGOs / Voluntary Organisations / Trusts / Section 8 companies that have been operating for at least 2 years can apply. The organization must have proven experience in disability rehabilitation, requisite infrastructure (building with accessibility features), trained staff (special educators, therapists), and audited accounts.
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.
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.
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.