Gharaunda-Group Home for Adults Scheme 2026

This award by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DoEPwD) recognises exceptional employers of persons Read More... with disabilities, covering government, PSU, and private/NGO sectors. Read less

Details

India is committed to empowering persons with disabilities, and the 'National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities' are a testament to this. These prestigious awards have been celebrating the achievements in this field since 1969.

What Is This Scheme?

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DoEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, presents these national awards annually. They honor the hard work, unique skills, and significant contributions of individuals, organizations, and institutions dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities. The award ceremony is a special occasion held on December 3rd, observed globally as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and is graced by esteemed dignitaries like the Hon'ble President or Vice President of India.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

While the overall scheme recognizes various contributions, the specific award mentioned, 'Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Niyoktha', is designed for outstanding employers. This includes government organizations, public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, local government bodies, and private or non-governmental organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to employing persons with disabilities.

Why This Scheme Is Important

This initiative is crucial for promoting inclusivity and recognizing those who go above and beyond to create a supportive environment for persons with disabilities. By highlighting exemplary practices, the awards encourage more employers to adopt inclusive hiring policies and practices, fostering a society where everyone has equal opportunities to contribute and thrive.

Objective

This award by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DoEPwD) recognises exceptional employers of persons with disabilities, covering government, PSU, and private/NGO sectors.

Benefits

An assured home and minimum quality of care services throughout the life of the PwD.

Adequate and quality care service with acceptable living standards including provision of basic medical care from professional doctors.

Vocational activities, pre-vocational activities and assistance for further training.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria for 'Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Niyoktha' Award

The 'Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Niyoktha' award is presented by DoEPwD to exceptional employers of persons with disabilities. Eligible employers fall into these categories:

Government organizations.
Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) or Autonomous Bodies or Local Government Bodies.
Private or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Selection Criteria & Weightage

Nominations are assessed based on the following criteria:

Employee Diversity: At least 10% of employees are persons with disabilities, with a minimum number of disabled employees in the establishment. For very large establishments (100+ disabled employees), this 10% condition might not be strictly enforced. (Weightage: 20%)
Supportive Environment: Implementation of necessary environmental modifications at the workplace, including barrier-free access. (Weightage: 10%)
Service Conditions: Employees with disabilities are offered the same service conditions, including pay rates, as other employees for similar work. (Weightage: 15%)
Employer Sensitivity: Demonstrating a sympathetic understanding of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. (Weightage: 5%)
Additional Facilities: Providing extra facilities like accommodation and transport where necessary and feasible. (Weightage: 5%)
Retention Rate: Maintaining a stable workforce of employees with disabilities. (Weightage: 10%)
Employee Assessment: Performance evaluation of employees with disabilities. (Weightage: 10%)
Productivity: Ensuring productivity among employees with disabilities. (Weightage: 10%)
Other Parameters: The Screening Committee may introduce other assessment factors for shortlisting. (Weightage: 10%)

Agencies Eligible to Make Nominations

Nominations can be made by any State Government, Union Territory, Autonomous Body, Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), or a non-governmental organization registered under the Trust Act, Society Act, or Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.

How To Apply

Applications for these National Awards are accepted exclusively through an online portal. Physical or soft copies sent directly to the Department will not be considered.

Visit the official National Awards Portal: https://awards.gov.in
Navigate to the nominations section for the relevant award.
Fill out the online application form completely with all required details. Ensure the application is in Hindi or English.
Upload all necessary supporting documents as specified in PDF format (each file not exceeding 5 MB).
Review your application thoroughly before final submission. You can edit your details multiple times during the nomination process, but once submitted, no changes can be made.
Submit your nomination online.

Documents Required for Nomination

When applying for the awards, ensure you have the following documents ready:

Certificate of Registration, clearly showing the Year of Establishment.
Proof of Address for communication purposes.
Documents that detail the Nature of Work undertaken by the Institution.
Evidence of Special or Outstanding Achievements over the past 10 years in the award category, including any recognition at International, National, State, District, or Organizational levels. Certificates and appreciation letters should be attached.
Details of any Awards or Honours previously received, including the Name of the Award, Conferring Agency, and Year of Conferment. Citations and justifications for the award should be included.
Any other supporting documents or achievements that you wish to be considered for the award.

Official Sources

For detailed guidelines and application forms, please refer to the official websites:

Scheme Guidelines PDF: https://disabilityaffairs.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/National Award Guidelines in english.pdf
Call for Applications PDF: https://disabilityaffairs.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Advertisement in English for NA.pdf
Scheme FAQs PDF: https://disabilityaffairs.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/FAQs on National Awards.pdf
Scheme FAQs PDF (Hindi): https://awards.gov.in/Home/GoToIndex?filename=Award/Communication/2023614811983WKSM7V.pdf&filepath=Award/Communication/2023614811983WKSM7V.pdf

FAQ’s

Can I submit my application in physical form or directly to the department?

No, nominations for any award category must be submitted exclusively through the official Award Portal. Applications sent directly to the Department will not be considered.

When did these awards first begin?

The 'National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities' was first introduced in the year 1969.

What is the official web address for the National Awards Portal?

You can access the National Awards Portal, managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, at https://awards.gov.in

Are travel expenses for awardees covered?

Yes, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities will arrange and reimburse 'to and fro' travel expenses and accommodation for awardees and one escort for up to one day before and after the award ceremony.

Where can I find the frequently asked questions about the scheme?

You can find the PDF of the Scheme FAQs at: https://disabilityaffairs.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/FAQs on National Awards.pdf

What are the main objectives of these national awards?

The awards aim to recognize and celebrate the skills and contributions of people with disabilities, as well as individuals and institutions actively involved in empowering them.

Can I upload more than one document in the supporting documents section?

No, only one document is permitted in the 'Supporting Document' section. However, this single document can contain multiple pages.

What is the address of Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi?

The address for Vigyan Bhawan is: Maulana Azad Rd, Rajpath Area, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Delhi 110011.

Who is authorized to nominate an institution for these awards?

Any State Government, Union Territory, Autonomous Body, Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), or a non-governmental organization registered under the Trust Act, Society Act, or Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, can make nominations.

Are the FAQs also available in Hindi?

Yes, the Hindi version of the Scheme FAQs can be found at: https://awards.gov.in/Home/GoToIndex?filename=Award/Communication/2023614811983WKSM7V.pdf&filepath=Award/Communication/2023614811983WKSM7V.pdf

How many main categories are there for these awards?

There are two primary categories for these awards: National Awards for Individual Excellence and National Awards for Institutions Engaged in Empowering Persons With Disabilities.

Is it mandatory to submit a photograph for individual excellence awards?

Yes, a high-resolution passport-sized photograph in soft copy is required and must be uploaded with the nomination form for any category of individual excellence.

Can I edit my application after submitting it?

You can edit your nomination details as many times as needed during the application process. However, once you finalize and submit the application, no further editing or modifications will be allowed.

What is the language required for the application form?

The application form must be filled out in either Hindi or English only.

When are these awards presented each year?

The National Awards are conferred annually on December 3rd, which is celebrated as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

How do I upload a document correctly in the online form?

In the 'Uploading of Photograph/Other Necessary Documents' section, click on 'Choose File' under 'Any Supporting Document (PDF)'. Select a PDF file. Ensure the file size does not exceed 5 MB.

Are offline applications accepted for this scheme?

No, this scheme exclusively accepts online applications. Physical forms will not be accepted.

Who presents the awards?

The National Awards are presented by the Hon'ble President or the Hon'ble Vice President of India at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Can I submit nominations for more than one award category?

Yes, you can submit separate nominations for multiple eligible categories. However, the National Selection Committee will decide on only one award per applicant in a given year.

When were the current guidelines for these awards last updated?

The guidelines for the National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities were revised and implemented starting from the year 2021.