Government Schemes & Benefits for Persons With Intellectual Disabilities in India 2026–27: Disability Certificate, UDID, Healthcare, Education, Pension, Assistive Devices, Skill Training, Legal Rights & Family Support
Last updated: August 2026
If by “mentally retarded” you mean a person with an intellectual disability, the respectful and legally used terminology in India is person with intellectual disability (PwID) or person with disability (PwD).
This distinction matters because intellectual disability is specifically recognised under India's disability framework. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) lists intellectual disability among the recognised disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities framework.
A person with an intellectual disability may be entitled to considerably more than a pension.
Depending on the person's circumstances, support can include:
- Disability certification
- UDID card
- Education
- Scholarships
- Rehabilitation
- Assistive devices
- Healthcare
- Skill development
- Employment support
- Social-security benefits
- Legal protections
- Caregiver support
- Financial assistance
- National Trust programmes
- State-specific benefits
The first and most important step is to obtain the appropriate disability certification and UDID, where eligible.
1. Get a Disability Certificate and UDID Card
The Unique Disability ID (UDID) system is one of the most important starting points.
The UDID system allows eligible persons to apply for:
- Disability certificate
- UDID card
- Renewal
- Replacement
- Status tracking
The portal also connects applicants with the relevant medical authority and district welfare officials.
Why this is important
A disability certificate/UDID can be required when applying for various:
- Scholarships
- Government benefits
- Reservations
- Rehabilitation services
- Assistive devices
- Employment support
2. Don't Assume 40% Is Required for Everything
This is important.
Many government benefits use the concept of benchmark disability, commonly 40% or more, but not every disability-related service has exactly the same eligibility criteria.
The current UDID system also has processes relating to disability certification below 40%.
Therefore:
Don't reject yourself from a scheme simply because someone says “you don't have 40%, so you get nothing.”
Check the individual programme.
3. National Trust Support
Families of people with intellectual disabilities should investigate the National Trust, particularly because its mandate covers certain specified disabilities including intellectual disability.
The National Trust operates programmes and services relating to:
- Independent living
- Care
- Rehabilitation
- Family support
- Residential services
- Legal guardianship
- Day-care/support services
4. Niramaya Health Insurance
Eligible persons covered under the National Trust framework should investigate Niramaya.
It provides health-insurance support subject to the applicable scheme conditions.
This is particularly important because families supporting a person with intellectual disability can face recurring medical and therapeutic expenses.
Check the current eligibility, coverage and premium rules before relying on the scheme.
5. Disha — Early Intervention
For eligible young children, investigate the Disha programme of the National Trust.
It is intended to provide early intervention and support.
Early intervention can be extremely valuable for:
- Communication
- Daily living skills
- Development
- Behavioural support
- Family guidance
If you have a young child with developmental/intellectual disabilities, don't wait until school age before seeking professional assessment.
6. Vikaas — Day-Care Support
The National Trust's Vikaas programme supports day-care and developmental needs of eligible persons.
This can be particularly valuable for families where caregivers have employment or other responsibilities.
7. Samarth — Residential Support
Families who cannot provide continuous care at home should investigate Samarth.
The programme is intended to provide residential support for eligible persons with specified disabilities.
This is important for families thinking about:
What happens to my child when I am no longer able to care for them?
That question should be addressed early rather than during a family crisis.
8. Gharaunda — Lifelong Residential Support
Eligible adults with certain disabilities may investigate Gharaunda, which provides group-home/lifelong residential support.
This is particularly relevant for parents of adults who may require long-term support.
9. Legal Guardianship
Families should understand the legal framework around guardianship.
For an adult with significant intellectual disability who cannot independently make certain decisions, appropriate legal arrangements may be necessary.
Do not simply give a relative control over:
- Bank accounts
- Property
- Investments
- Pension
without understanding the legal position.
The National Trust provides information about guardianship mechanisms for eligible persons.
10. Scholarship for Class IX–X
Students with benchmark disabilities studying in Classes IX and X can investigate the Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.
The current DEPwD information states eligibility includes Indian nationals with benchmark disability of 40% or more, with specified income and documentation conditions.
The application route includes the National Scholarship Portal.
11. Post-Matric Scholarship
Students with benchmark disabilities studying from Class XI through higher education can investigate the Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.
The current DEPwD information covers:
- Class XI–XII
- Diploma
- Degree
- Postgraduate courses
and specifies eligibility conditions including benchmark disability and income requirements.
12. Top Class Education
Students with benchmark disabilities pursuing higher education should check Top Class Education opportunities.
DEPwD has expanded the list of institutions covered under the relevant scholarship framework.
This can be particularly valuable for academically capable students who need financial assistance to attend higher-quality institutions.
13. National Fellowship for Persons With Disabilities
Students progressing to research-level education can investigate the National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities (NFPwD).
DEPwD continues to publish updates concerning NFPwD.
This can support eligible students pursuing advanced research.
14. Free Coaching
Eligible students with disabilities can investigate government-supported free coaching programmes.
DEPwD has published revised guidelines for free coaching for students with disabilities.
This can be useful for preparation for:
- Competitive examinations
- Higher education entrance
- Professional opportunities
15. National Overseas Scholarship
Eligible students with disabilities who want to pursue higher education abroad should investigate the National Overseas Scholarship where applicable.
This is not automatically available to every PwD student.
Check the current notification for:
- Disability criteria
- Academic requirements
- Income
- Course
- Institution
- Country
- Age
16. Assistive Devices — ADIP
The ADIP Scheme provides assistance for eligible persons with disabilities to obtain appropriate aids and appliances.
Depending on the disability and assessment, support may relate to devices that improve:
- Mobility
- Communication
- Daily functioning
- Independence
For intellectual disability, the most useful support may not necessarily be a mobility device; needs should be assessed individually.
17. Rehabilitation Services
DEPwD's DDRS framework supports rehabilitation services through eligible organisations.
Families may find services relating to:
- Rehabilitation
- Therapy
- Training
- Education
- Vocational support
- Community-based rehabilitation
18. Skill Development
An intellectual disability does not automatically mean a person cannot work.
Some people can develop skills for:
- Packaging
- Hospitality
- Gardening
- Food preparation
- Crafts
- Retail assistance
- Office support
- Housekeeping
- Digital tasks
- Supported employment
DEPwD provides access to disability-focused skill-development and employment services.
19. PM-DAKSH Disability Skill Training
Eligible persons can investigate disability-focused skill development through the government's relevant digital platform.
The objective should be:
ability → skill → supported work → income → independence
rather than assuming the person can never contribute economically.
20. Employment Support
Persons with benchmark disabilities may have access to employment-related protections and reservations under the applicable disability law.
The exact benefit depends on:
- Type of job
- Recruitment rules
- Disability category
- Percentage
- Government/private employer
- Applicable notification
21. Competitive Examinations
Persons with disabilities may receive applicable examination accommodations.
These can include, depending on the examination and applicable rules:
- Scribe
- Compensatory time
- Accessible examination arrangements
- Other reasonable accommodations
Always read the specific examination notification.
22. Accessible Education
Schools and colleges have responsibilities under India's disability framework relating to inclusive education and reasonable accommodation.
If a student is being denied education solely because of disability, parents should:
- Ask the institution for the decision in writing.
- Contact the education department.
- Contact the appropriate disability authority if necessary.
- Keep copies of all documents.
23. Free Education and School Support
Depending on age, school type and State rules, children with disabilities may receive additional educational support.
Check:
- Inclusive education programmes
- Special educators
- Resource teachers
- Assistive technology
- Transport support
- Scholarships
- Hostel facilities
24. Healthcare
A person with intellectual disability may need support beyond ordinary medical care.
Depending on individual needs, investigate:
- Government hospitals
- Mental-health services
- Paediatric services
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Rehabilitation services
Not every service will be free, so ask the hospital about government-supported services before paying privately.
25. Mental-Health Support
Intellectual disability and mental illness are not the same thing.
A person can have:
- Intellectual disability
- Mental illness
- Both
- Neither
If there are symptoms such as severe anxiety, depression, aggression, hallucinations or self-harm, seek assessment from a qualified mental-health professional rather than assuming everything is caused by intellectual disability.
26. Disability Pension
Many States provide disability pensions for eligible residents.
The exact:
- Age
- Disability percentage
- Income limit
- Residency requirement
- Monthly amount
- Application process
varies by State.
Check your State's social-welfare department.
Don't rely on a national article listing an old pension amount.
27. State-Wise Disability Benefits
Every family should check both:
Central Government
and
State Government
programmes.
State governments can provide additional:
- Disability pensions
- Scholarships
- Travel concessions
- Assistive devices
- Housing
- Skill training
- Caregiver support
- Medical assistance
- Education support
28. Andhra Pradesh
Check:
- Welfare of Differently Abled & Senior Citizens Department
- Disability pension
- UDID
- Education support
- Skill development
- Assistive devices
- Rehabilitation services
29. Telangana
Check:
- Department for Welfare of Disabled & Senior Citizens
- Disability pension
- SADAREM certificate/assessment where applicable
- UDID
- Scholarships
- Skill development
- Assistive devices
- Rehabilitation
For Telangana families, don't confuse the SADAREM assessment system with UDID; they serve different administrative purposes.
30. Maharashtra
Check:
- Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance
- Disability pension
- UDID
- Education support
- Skill development
- Assistive devices
- Rehabilitation
31. Karnataka
Check:
- Department for Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens
- Disability pension
- UDID
- Scholarships
- Skill development
- Rehabilitation
- Assistive devices
32. Kerala
Check:
- Social Justice Department
- Disability welfare programmes
- Disability pension
- Rehabilitation
- Education
- Skill development
- Assistive devices
33. Tamil Nadu
Check:
- Welfare of Differently Abled Persons Department
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Assistive devices
- Skill development
- Travel-related concessions where eligible
34. Uttar Pradesh
Check:
- Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
- Disability pension
- UDID
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
- Assistive devices
35. West Bengal
Check:
- Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- UDID
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Assistive devices
- Skill development
36. Rajasthan
Check:
- Social Justice & Empowerment Department
- Disability pension
- Scholarships
- UDID
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
37. Gujarat
Check:
- Social Justice & Empowerment Department
- Disability welfare
- Pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Assistive devices
- Skill development
38. Odisha
Check:
- Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
- Assistive devices
39. Madhya Pradesh
Check:
- Social Justice & Disabled Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- UDID
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
40. Bihar
Check:
- Social Welfare Department
- Disability pension
- Education
- UDID
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
41. Jharkhand
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- UDID
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
42. Chhattisgarh
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
- Assistive devices
43. Punjab
Check:
- Social Security and Women & Child Development
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
44. Haryana
Check:
- Social Justice & Empowerment
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
- Assistive devices
45. Himachal Pradesh
Check:
- Social Justice & Empowerment
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Assistive devices
46. Uttarakhand
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
47. Assam
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- UDID
48. Arunachal Pradesh
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
49. Meghalaya
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability welfare
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
50. Manipur
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Assistive devices
51. Mizoram
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
52. Nagaland
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
53. Tripura
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
54. Goa
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
55. Sikkim
Check:
- Social Welfare
- Disability pension
- Education
- Rehabilitation
- Skill development
56. Union Territories
If the person lives in:
- Delhi
- Jammu & Kashmir
- Ladakh
- Chandigarh
- Puducherry
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Lakshadweep
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
check the local disability/social-welfare department in addition to Central Government programmes.
57. What Parents Should Do First
If your child has an intellectual disability and you have never applied for government support, don't try to apply for 20 schemes at once.
Start here:
Step 1
Obtain the appropriate medical assessment.
Step 2
Apply for the disability certificate/UDID.
Step 3
Ask your district disability welfare officer about State schemes.
Step 4
Check National Trust programmes if applicable.
Step 5
Check scholarships if the person is studying.
Step 6
Check pension/social-security eligibility.
Step 7
Check rehabilitation and skill-development services.
Step 8
Plan long-term care and legal/financial arrangements.
58. Documents to Keep Ready
Create a dedicated disability-support file containing:
- Aadhaar
- Disability certificate
- UDID card
- Medical reports
- Birth certificate
- Income certificate
- Bank account
- School records
- Passport photographs
- Domicile/residence certificate
- Caste certificate where applicable
- Guardian documents
- Previous scheme applications
Keep both paper and secure digital copies.
59. Financial Planning for Parents
This is perhaps the most important part.
If your child may need lifelong support, don't think only about today's pension.
Plan for:
Healthcare
Housing
Monthly expenses
Banking
Insurance
Property
Inheritance
Legal guardianship
Future caregiver
Emergency fund
Long-term residential care
A good plan should answer:
Who will look after my child if I am no longer here?
60. Protect the Person's Property
If the person with an intellectual disability owns or inherits property, don't casually transfer it to relatives.
Before selling, gifting or transferring significant assets:
consult a qualified lawyer familiar with disability and guardianship law.
The person's interests should remain central.
61. Don't Let Someone Exploit Them
Families should watch for:
- Financial exploitation
- Property grabbing
- Forced signatures
- Abuse
- Neglect
- Fraud
- Unauthorised withdrawals
If something suspicious happens, preserve:
- Bank statements
- Documents
- Messages
- Medical records
- Property records
and seek appropriate legal/social-welfare assistance.
62. National Disability Helpline & Official Support
The DEPwD website provides access to disability schemes, UDID services, district offices and other support resources.
The department's current portal also provides access to services for:
- UDID
- Skill development
- Employment
- Scholarships
- ADIP
- Rehabilitation
- National Fund
63. Don't Call Them "Useless"
This deserves to be said.
An intellectual disability may affect:
- Learning
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Independent living
But it does not determine a person's human worth.
With the right support, many people can develop meaningful abilities in:
- Work
- Household tasks
- Art
- Crafts
- Sports
- Agriculture
- Hospitality
- Digital activities
- Community participation
The goal should be:
maximum possible independence + dignity + safety + participation.
Official Websites to Bookmark
Final Message to Families
If someone in your family has an intellectual disability, don't stop at getting a disability certificate.
The certificate can be the beginning of accessing a much wider support system.
Look at the whole picture:
UDID
→ healthcare
→ education
→ scholarships
→ rehabilitation
→ assistive support
→ skills
→ employment
→ pension
→ legal protection
→ long-term care
→ financial planning
The most important thing is to build a future in which the person is safe, respected, financially protected and as independent as possible.
And for parents:
Plan for your child's future while you are still healthy and able to make decisions.
Don't wait for a crisis.
*This article is for general information and navigation. Eligibility, disability thresholds, benefit amounts, State schemes and application procedures can change. Always verify the current rules with DEPwD, the National Trust, your State disability/social-welfare department and the relevant official portal before applying.*
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