Since 1969, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been conferring the “National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.” These awards recognize the skills and contributions of persons with disabilities, as well as individuals and institutions actively engaged in empowering them. The “Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Niyoktha” award specifically honors outstanding employers of persons with disabilities among government organizations, public sector undertakings (PSUs), autonomous bodies, local government bodies, and private or non-governmental organizations.
The awards are presented annually on 3rd December—observed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities—at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi by the Hon’ble President or the Hon’ble Vice President of India.
Benefits
- Decoration:
Awardees receive a Certificate and a Shield. - Recognition:
The awards acknowledge excellence in various domains such as holistic rehabilitation services, and promoting and imparting inclusive education, among others. - Additional Perks:
- Boarding and lodging expenses for the awardees and one escort are borne by the Department.
- To-and-fro travel expenses and accommodation for one day prior to and after the awards ceremony are reimbursed.
- TA/DA for awardees and escorts is provided at the rate equivalent to that of a Class-I officer of the Central Government.
Award Categories
- National Awards for Individual Excellence.
- National Awards for Institutions Engaged in Empowering Persons with Disabilities.
The “Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Niyoktha” is awarded to outstanding employers of persons with disabilities under the following segments:
- Government organizations.
- Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Autonomous Bodies, or Local Government Bodies.
- Private or Non-Governmental Organizations.
Selection Criteria & Weightage
The evaluation for the “Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Niyoktha” award involves a multi-criteria assessment including:
- Disabled Employee Ratio: At least 10% of employees are disabled (with flexibility for large establishments) – 20%.
- Environmental Modifications: Provision of barrier-free access and necessary modifications – 10%.
- Equal Service Conditions: Equal pay and service conditions for employees with disabilities – 15%.
- Sympathetic Employer Attitude: Understanding the problems faced by disabled employees – 5%.
- Additional Facilities: Provision of extra facilities such as accommodation and transport, where feasible – 5%.
- Retention Rate: Ability to retain disabled employees – 10%.
- Employee Assessment: Evaluation of the performance and well-being of disabled employees – 10%.
- Productivity: Ensuring maintained or enhanced productivity – 10%.
- Additional Parameters: Any other criteria devised by the Screening Committee – 10%.
Agencies Eligible to Make Nominations
Nominations can be made by any State/UT, Autonomous Body, PSU, or non-governmental organization registered under the Trust Act, Society Act, or Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Application Process
Online Process
- Call for Applications:
- The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, announces the opening of the National Awards Portal and the application submission period through advertisements in newspapers and on the department’s website.
- Applications are invited exclusively online via the centralized portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs at www.awards.gov.in, open from 15th June to 31st July.
- Registration:
- Visit the National Awards Portal and click “Register” on the top right.
- Complete all mandatory fields (marked with a red asterisk), check the declaration boxes, enter the captcha code, and click “Submit”. Login credentials will be sent to the registered mobile number.
- Application Submission:
- Login on the National Awards Portal.
- From the list of awards, select “National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities” and click “Nominate / Apply Now”.
- Fill in all mandatory fields in the online application form and click “Submit”.
Note: The application must be in Hindi or English only.
Calendar of Activities
- Advertisement/Opening of Portal: 1st May.
- Last Date for Applications: 31st July.
- Constitution of Screening and National Selection Committees: By 31st August.
- Screening Committee Meetings: 30th September.
- National Selection Committee Meeting: 15th October.
- Verification of Short-listed Candidates: 15th October.
- Information/Confirmation to Awardees: 31st October.
- Awards Presentation Ceremony: 3rd December (International Day of Persons with Disabilities).
Documents Required
- Certificate of Registration:
- Must include the Year of Establishment.
- Proof of Address:
- For communication purposes.
- Proofs of Work Undertaken:
- Documentation verifying the nature of work conducted by the institution.
- Achievements:
- Certificates or appreciation letters for special or outstanding achievements in the relevant field over the past ten years at international, national, state, district, or organizational levels.
- Details of Awards/Honours Received:
- Name of the award, conferring agency, year of conferment, along with citations and justification.
- Additional Achievements:
- Any other relevant accomplishments for consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the “National Award For Empowerment Of Persons With Disabilities” first introduced?
It was first introduced in 1969. - What are the objectives of these awards?
The awards aim to recognize and promote the empowerment of persons with disabilities through excellence in individual performance and institutional initiatives. - When were the guidelines for these awards last revised?
Please refer to the latest published guidelines on the National Awards Portal. - When are these awards conferred?
The awards are conferred annually on 3rd December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. - Who confers these awards?
The awards are presented by the Hon’ble President or the Hon’ble Vice President of India. - What is the address of Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi?
Vigyan Bhawan is located in New Delhi; detailed address information is available on official government websites. - How many categories are there in this award?
There are two main categories: Individual Excellence and Institutions Engaged in Empowering Persons with Disabilities. - Will the to-and-fro travelling expenses of the awardee be reimbursed?
Yes, boarding, lodging, and travel expenses for the awardees and one escort are reimbursed as per the scheme. - What is the URL of the National Awards Portal?
The portal is accessible at www.awards.gov.in. - Can the application form be filled in Malayalam?
No, the form must be completed in either Hindi or English. - Where can I find the PDF of the scheme guidelines?
The PDF of the guidelines is available on the National Awards Portal. - Who are authorized to nominate an institution for this award?
Any State/UT, Autonomous Body, PSU, or NGO registered under the applicable acts can nominate. - Does this scheme accept offline applications?
No, applications must be submitted online. - Where can I find the PDF of the Call for Applications?
The call for applications is available on the National Awards Portal and through the official advertisements. - Can a person submit his/her nomination in physical form or as a soft copy directly to the department?
No, nominations must be submitted exclusively via the online portal. - Are nominations for two or more categories permissible?
No, each nomination must be submitted under one category only. - Where can I find the PDF of the scheme FAQs?
The FAQs are published on the National Awards Portal. - How do I upload a document in the online application form?
Instructions for document uploads are provided in the application portal’s user guide. - Why am I not able to upload more than one document in the supporting documents section?
The portal has file upload limits; please refer to the guidelines for instructions. - Are the scheme FAQs also available in Hindi?
Yes, they are available in both Hindi and English. - Can I edit my nomination details after submitting the application?
Yes, you can edit your details before the final submission deadline, as per the portal’s provisions. - Is submission of a photo mandatory for any category of Individual Excellence awards?
Yes, a photo is required where specified.