Almost every week someone walks into our office on Circular Road with the same problem. A son or daughter has a disability, the family has heard there are government schemes that could help, but nobody has ever applied for a disability certificate. The paperwork feels confusing and the district hospital feels far away.
The good news is that the process is simpler than it looks. This guide explains it step by step.
What is the UDID card?
The Unique Disability ID (UDID) card is issued by the Government of India to persons with disabilities. It works as a disability certificate that is valid across the whole country, so you don't need separate certificates for different offices. It is used when applying for disability pensions, scholarships, reserved seats in education and jobs, travel concessions and many other benefits.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 recognises 21 types of disability. These include locomotor disability, blindness and low vision, hearing impairment, speech and language disability, intellectual disability, autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple disabilities and several others. Many benefits are linked to a "benchmark disability", which means a disability of 40% or more as assessed by the medical board.
What you will need
- A recent passport-size photograph
- Identity and address proof, such as an Aadhaar card
- Any existing disability certificate or medical records, if you have them
- A mobile number that you can receive messages on
Step by step
- Register online. Go to the official portal swavlambancard.gov.in and choose the option to apply for a disability certificate and UDID card. Fill in the personal details and upload the photograph and documents.
- Note your enrolment number. After you submit, you receive an enrolment number. Write it down or take a screenshot. You will need it to track the application.
- Go for the medical assessment. The application is sent to the medical authority for your district. You will be called to the district hospital for assessment by the medical board on a given date. Take the original documents with you.
- Receive the card. Once the board has assessed the disability and the application is approved, the UDID card is issued. You can also download an e-card from the portal.
Where people usually get stuck
From our experience, families most often get stuck at three points: they don't have a smartphone or computer to apply, they are not sure which category of disability to choose, or they miss the medical board date because of travel costs or difficult roads. These are exactly the places where we can help.
How Guardian Angel can help
Our staff can sit with you and fill in the online application, explain which documents are needed, and help you prepare for the medical board visit. Where possible, we also help families follow up on pending applications. This help is free.
Call us on +91 97036 42210, or visit our office on Circular Road, Dimapur between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Need help, or want to help?
Our support is free. Call +91 97036 42210 or use the form on our Get Help page.