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Social welfare & Empowerment

National Award for Individual Excellence

The objective of this scheme is to recognize and encourage individuals working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities, including those covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

- Sarvashreshth Divyangjan (Most Outstanding Persons with Disabilities): Certificate, medal, and cash award of ₹2.00 lakh for each awardee.1. Shreshth Divyangjan (Outstanding Persons with Disabilities): Certificate, medal, and cash award of ₹1.00 lakh for each awardee.1. Shreshth Srijansheel Divyang Bal/Balika (Outstanding Creative Child with Disabilities): Certificate, medal, and cash award of ₹1.00 lakh for each awardee.1. Most Outstanding Person working for the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities: Certificate, medal, and cash award of ₹1.00 lakh.1. Most Outstanding Rehabilitation Professional/Personnel in the field of disability: Certificate, medal, and cash award of ₹1.00 lakh.1. Most Outstanding Research/Innovation/Product Development in the field of disability: Certificate, medal, and cash award of ₹1.00 lakh.

Who can apply

The applicant should be an individual with a benchmark disability of 40% or more as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (for specified categories).; The applicant can self-nominate or be nominated by another person for only one category of award.; The applicant should not have received any National Award from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in the past 5 years.; The applicant must be above 18 years of age for Most Outstanding and Outstanding Persons with Disabilities categories.; For the Creative Child with Disabilities category, the applicant should be up to 18 years of age.; Eligible disability categories include locomotor disability, visual impairment, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, and other specified disabilities.; For other categories (empowerment, rehabilitation, research/innovation), any individual (with or without disability) can apply or be nominated, subject to eligibility conditions.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

Is proof of achievements required?

Yes, supporting documents or evidence validating the nominee’s contribution is mandatory.

Is there a cash prize for the award?

Yes. Sarvahresth Divyangjan: ₹2,00,000; Other categories: ₹1,00,000 each, along with a medal and certificate.

Who selects the awardees?

The National Selection Committee makes the final selection based on recommendations from Screening Committees.

How many awards are given in total?

There are multiple awards: 6 for Sarvahresth Divyangjan, 10 for Shresth Divyangjan, 2 for Creative Child, and one each for other professional/research categories.

Can someone apply for multiple categories?

No, an applicant can be nominated for only one category in a given year.

No, an applicant can be nominated for only one category in a given year.

Locomotor disability, visual impairment, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, and any other specified disability listed in the RPwD Act, 2016.

What is the purpose of the National Award for Individual Excellence?

The award recognizes and encourages individuals working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

The award recognizes and encourages individuals working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Any eligible individual with a benchmark disability of 40% or more, or those working in the field of disability empowerment, may apply or be nominated

What are the age criteria for applicants?

Individuals for Sarvahresth Divyangjan and Shresth Divyangjan must be above 18 years. Creative child awards are for children up to 18 years.