The National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are a prestigious recognition awarded by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. These awards honor the exceptional contributions made by institutions and organizations—such as private organizations and NGOs—that have been actively engaged in empowering persons with disabilities. The awards aim to recognize and encourage excellence in rehabilitation, inclusive education, and overall empowerment efforts, thereby inspiring further advancements in the field.
Benefits
- Decoration & Recognition:
Awardees receive a Certificate and a Shield. - Cash Prize:
A cash award of ₹4,00,000 is conferred along with the decoration. - Travel & Accommodation:
The central government covers the boarding, lodging, and to-and-fro travel expenses for the awardees and one escort, with TA/DA eligibility equivalent to that of a Class-I officer of the Central Government. - Prestige:
Receiving the award enhances the institution’s credibility and encourages further excellence in the empowerment sector.
Eligibility
For the institution to be considered for the Best Non-profit Institution Award, the nominee must:
- Be a private organization or NGO working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
- Have a minimum operational experience of 10 years after registration under the Society Act, Trust Act, or Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
- Demonstrate outstanding contributions in one of the following areas:
- Providing holistic, comprehensive rehabilitation services.
- Promoting and imparting inclusive education, particularly in preparing children with disabilities for higher studies.
- Be nominated through authorized channels; self-nominations are not accepted.
- Not have received the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in any of the previous three award cycles.
Selection Criteria & Weightage
The evaluation of institutions is based on various performance indicators including:
- Service Initiation: (10%) Initiation of comprehensive services for diverse disabilities.
- Innovation in Equipment: (10%) Adoption of new equipment.
- New Service Provision: (15%) Introduction of new services.
- Strategy Improvement: (10%) Implementation of new strategies to enhance existing services.
- Client Follow-up: (5%) Consistent follow-up with clients in rehabilitation.
- Experience: (10%) At least 10 years of operational experience in education, training, or rehabilitation.
- Outreach: (5%) Contribution to outreach services around the headquarters.
- Rural Participation: (10%) Active involvement and motivation in rural areas.
- Community Engagement: (5%) Voluntary actions and community participation.
- Geographical Impact: (5%) Area covered by the services.
- Disability Categories Served: (5%) Diversity of disabilities addressed.
Agencies Eligible to Nominate
Nominations can be made by:
- Concerned ministries or departments of the Government of India (with ministerial approval).
- State governments or Union Territory administrations (with approval from the Chief Minister or Lt. Governor).
- Regional Resource and Training Centres working in drug de-addiction and related fields.
- Members of the National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation (NCCDR).
- Recognized apex chambers (e.g., FICCI, CII, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India).
- Past awardees.
- Educational and regulatory organizations (e.g., UGC, AICTE, MCI, CBSE, NCERT, KVS, NVS, CSIR).
- District Collectors, District Magistrates, and Commissioners as applicable.
Application Process
Online Submission
- Call for Applications:
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), announces the opening of the National Awards Portal along with the prescribed period for submission via advertisements in newspapers and on the department’s website.
- Registration:
- Visit the National Awards Portal at www.awards.gov.in.
- Click “Register” on the top right of the homepage. Fill in all mandatory fields marked with a red asterisk, agree to the declarations, complete the Captcha, and submit. Login credentials will be sent to your registered mobile number.
- Application Submission:
- Login using your credentials, select “National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities” from the list, and click “Nominate / Apply Now.”
- Complete the online application form in Hindi or English and submit.
- Selection Process:
- A Screening Committee and a National Selection Committee will evaluate nominations based on the criteria mentioned above. The final awardees, one per category, will be announced after thorough evaluation and verification.
Documents Required
For Institutions/Organizations
- Certificate of Registration: Showing the year of establishment.
- Proof of Address: For communication.
- Proof of Nature of Work: Documents that verify the services provided in the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
- Achievements: Certificates, appreciation letters, or citations of outstanding work in the field at international, national, state, district, or organizational levels.
- Awards & Honors: Details of any previous awards received (including citations) with justification.
- Additional Reports: Any other documents that highlight the institution’s contributions and achievements in drug de-addiction, rehabilitation, and related services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When was the National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities first introduced?
A1: The awards have been presented since 1969.
Q2: What are the objectives of these awards?
A2: The awards aim to recognize and encourage outstanding contributions in empowering persons with disabilities through rehabilitation, inclusive education, and community outreach.
Q3: When are these awards conferred?
A3: The awards are conferred annually on 3rd December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Q4: Who confers these awards?
A4: The awards are presented by the Hon’ble President or the Hon’ble Vice President of India.
Q5: What is the significance of Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi?
A5: Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi is the venue for the award ceremony.
Q6: How many categories are there in these awards?
A6: There are two main categories: National Awards for Individual Excellence and National Awards for Institutions Engaged in Empowering Persons with Disabilities.
Q7: Will travel expenses be reimbursed?
A7: Yes, boarding, lodging, and to-and-fro travel expenses for awardees and one escort are covered by the Central Government.
Q8: What is the URL of the National Awards Portal?
A8: The portal can be accessed at www.awards.gov.in.
Q9: Can an entity self-nominate for this award?
A9: No, self-nominations are not permitted; nominations must be made by authorized agencies or persons.
Q10: When can a previously awarded nominee be considered again?
A10: An institution or individual that has received the award is ineligible for the next three award cycles.
Q11: Where can I find the PDF of the scheme guidelines and the user manual?
A11: The PDFs are available on the official Ministry portal and through Awardpedia.