What this scheme offers
Before UDID, a person with a disability moving from one state to another, or simply trying to access a central scheme after being certified by a state authority, routinely ran into a wall of mismatched paperwork — every state issued its own certificate, in its own format, often not recognised elsewhere. UDID replaces that patchwork with one national digital identity: a single disability certificate and ID card, assessed once by a Medical Authority or Board, then usable anywhere in the country for any scheme that asks for proof of disability. It's become the de facto entry document for most other disability benefits — pension, reservations, ADIP aids, travel concessions, scholarships — precisely because it was built to be the one credential that makes applying for everything else faster. The application is entirely online, and there's no fee.
Who is eligible
- Any Indian citizen with a disability recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act 2016 (21 recognised categories, including physical, visual, hearing, intellectual, mental and multiple disabilities).
- No income or age restriction to apply.
- Disability percentage is determined through medical assessment, not self-declared.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Existing disability certificate, if you have one (speeds up the assessment)
- Residential proof
How to apply
- Register online at the UDID portal (swavlambancard.gov.in) and fill in your personal and disability details.
- Book an appointment for medical assessment at your nearest designated Medical Authority/Board (usually a government hospital or Chief Medical Officer's office).
- Attend the assessment, where your disability type and percentage are certified by the medical board.
- Once certified, your UDID card and certificate are generated and can be downloaded or collected, typically within a few weeks of assessment.
- Use your UDID number as proof of disability when applying for any other central or state disability scheme going forward, instead of resubmitting fresh certificates each time.