AWARDS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Dec. 4, 2018

On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Vice President of India conferred the National Awards on Individuals, Institutions, Organizations, State/District etc for their contribution towards empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

About:

Background:
- Till 2017, the Award Scheme was governed under the National Awards Rules, 2013 which provided 7 categories of disabilities as per the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995.
- However, with the coming into force of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the number of specified disabilities increased from 7 to 21 under the new Law.
- Accordingly, all the 21 disabilities have been included under the National Award Guidelines.
Concerned Agency: The award scheme is governed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.