UDID Card & Disability Certificate in India
Complete Guide for Children with Special Needs and Persons with Disabilities
If you are a parent or caregiver of a child with special needs and are looking for information about UDID Card, Disability Certificate, UDID registration, or how to apply for UDID online, this guide will help you understand the complete process.
The Unique Disability ID (UDID) project is an initiative of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. The UDID system provides a centralized process for issuing Disability Certificates and Unique Disability ID Cards to eligible persons with disabilities.
For children with disabilities, obtaining a Disability Certificate and UDID Card can be an important step toward accessing various government schemes, educational support, scholarships, assistive devices, rehabilitation services and other disability-related benefits.
What is UDID?
UDID stands for Unique Disability ID.
The UDID project was introduced by the Government of India to create a centralized national database of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and provide a unique identity card known as the UDID Card.
The UDID system brings together the application for a Disability Certificate and UDID Card through a centralized online platform. It also allows applicants to track applications, request renewal or replacement, and access information related to disability benefits and schemes.
Official UDID Portal
Parents and applicants can use the official Government of India UDID portal:
swavlambancard.gov.in
What is a Disability Certificate ?
A Disability Certificate is an official document issued by a competent medical authority after assessment of a person’s disability.
The certificate records important information such as:
- Type of disability
- Percentage of disability
- Disability assessment details
- Validity, wherever applicable
- Other information prescribed under the applicable rules and guidelines
The assessment is carried out by the designated medical authority or medical board according to the applicable Government guidelines. A Disability Certificate is different from the physical UDID Card, although both are processed through the UDID system.
Why is a UDID Card Important ?
A UDID Card provides a standardized disability identity and helps in accessing disability-related government schemes and services.
Depending on the eligibility requirements of a particular scheme or service, a person with a disability may need to provide a Disability Certificate or UDID Card.
A UDID Card can be useful for accessing or applying for:
- Government disability schemes
- Scholarships
- Educational support
- Assistive devices and appliances
- Rehabilitation services
- Financial assistance
- Disability-related concessions and benefits
- Other government services for Persons with Disabilities
The UDID system was specifically designed to improve transparency, efficiency and delivery of government benefits to Persons with Disabilities.
Important: Having a UDID Card does not automatically guarantee every government benefit. Each scheme has its own eligibility conditions, documents and requirements.
UDID for Children with Disabilities
Parents can apply for a UDID Card and Disability Certificate for a child with a disability through the UDID system.
This is particularly important because a child’s Disability Certificate and UDID Card may be required while applying for different disability-related educational, financial, rehabilitation and assistive-device benefits.
The Government has also issued specific notifications relating to Aadhaar requirements for UDID applications for children. Parents should therefore check the latest requirements on the official UDID portal before submitting an application.
Children who may require a Disability Certificate and UDID Card include children with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Intellectual Disability
- Specific Learning Disabilities
- Hearing Impairment
- Visual Impairment
- Locomotor Disability
- Multiple Disabilities
- Speech and Language Disability
- Other specified disabilities recognized under applicable Government rules
The recognized disability categories and assessment guidelines can be updated by the Government. Therefore, parents should always refer to the latest official guidelines before applying. DEPwD has notified updated guidelines for assessment of specified disabilities in March 2024.
Who can apply for UDID ?
A person with a specified disability can apply for a Disability Certificate and UDID Card through the UDID system. For a child, the application can be managed by the parent or legal guardian as applicable.
The application is processed by the concerned medical authority/medical board, which verifies the information and conducts the required disability assessment.
How to Apply for UDID Card Online?
UDID Application Process at a Glance
Registration → Application → Hospital/Medical Authority → Verification → Medical Assessment → Medical Board → Disability Certificate & UDID Card
The official UDID portal currently provides these steps as the standard process for obtaining the UDID Card and Disability Certificate.
Documents Required for UDID Application
The exact documents required may vary depending on the applicant, disability category, state/UT requirements and instructions of the concerned authority.
How to Check UDID Application Status?
After submitting the application, applicants can use the UDID portal to track the progress of their application. The portal allows applicants to check the status of their application and follow up with the concerned authority when required.
If your application is delayed
You can:
- Check the application status online.
- Check whether the application has reached the hospital/medical authority.
- Contact the concerned hospital or CMO/medical authority.
- Follow up regarding assessment scheduling.
- Check whether any correction or additional information has been requested.
UDID Renewal
A Disability Certificate or UDID Card may require renewal in cases where it has a specified validity period or when renewal is otherwise required. The UDID portal provides a facility for submitting a renewal request for Disability Certificate/UDID Card. DEPwD has also issued a Standard Operating Procedure for processing renewal requests through the UDID portal.
Parents should check the validity mentioned on the certificate/card and initiate renewal when required.
UDID Card Replacement
If an applicant already has a UDID Card but needs a replacement card, the UDID portal provides options for such cases.
The official portal also provides separate application pathways for applicants who:
- Have never obtained a UDID Card
- Already have a manually issued Disability Certificate
- Have a rejected application
- Need a new/replacement UDID Card
- Have an inactive application
Applicants should select the option that correctly describes their situation.
What if the UDID Application is Rejected?
If an application is rejected, applicants should check the reason provided through the UDID system and follow the applicable process for correction, resubmission or further action.
DEPwD has issued a Standard Operating Procedure in 2026 for rejection of UDID applications and handling rejected applications. If you believe the disability assessment or decision requires reconsideration, the applicable appeal/re-assessment procedure should be followed.
Can a Person with Less Than 40% Disability Get a UDID Card?
Parents often search for this information because many government benefits use the term benchmark disability.
However, the UDID system and eligibility for individual schemes are not exactly the same thing.
DEPwD issued an advisory in July 2024 regarding issuance of Disability Certificates/UDID Cards to persons assessed below 40% disability. Therefore, parents should not assume that a person below 40% can never receive a Disability Certificate or UDID Card.
At the same time, eligibility for a particular government benefit may have a separate minimum disability percentage or other conditions.
Always check the eligibility criteria of the specific scheme before applying.
UDID and Government Schemes
A UDID Card can play an important role when applying for various government schemes and services for Persons with Disabilities. For example, the Government has issued a notification regarding the mandatory requirement of a UDID Card for availing benefits under the ADIP Scheme, subject to the applicable rules and requirements.
However, parents should remember that UDID is not itself a scholarship, pension or financial assistance scheme. It is a disability identity and certification system that helps establish disability-related eligibility for government services and benefits.
Common Problems During UDID Application
Parents may face issues such as:
1. Application is pending
The application may still be under verification, assessment or medical board review.
2. Assessment date is not received
Check the application status and contact the selected medical authority if required.
3. Application requires correction
Follow the instructions provided by the concerned authority and correct the required information.
4. Existing manual Disability Certificate
The current UDID portal provides an application pathway for applicants who already have a Disability Certificate issued through another platform or manually.
5. UDID Card is lost
Use the appropriate replacement option available through the UDID portal.
6. Disability type or percentage has changed
The applicant should follow the applicable process for reassessment/update through the UDID system.
Official UDID Portal
For registration, application, status tracking and other UDID services, use the official Government of India portal:
Unique Disability ID (UDID):
https://swavlambancard.gov.in/
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD):
https://depwd.gov.in/
