Lok Sabha Question No. 1411 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-09
Subject: Issuance of UDID Cards
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind, Shri Devusinh Chauhan

## 1411. Dr. Vinod Kumar Bind:

Shri Devusinh Chauhan:

Will the Minister of  SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of issuance of Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards in the country, including the total number of eligible persons yet to be covered;
- (b) whether any major challenges have been identified in achieving universal UDID coverage in various States and Union Territories;
- (c)  if  so,  the  details  of  corrective  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  timely issuance, verification and 100% saturation of UDID cards;
- (d) whether the Government has undertaken any recent review or assessment of the functioning and service delivery of District Disability Rehabilitation Centers (DDRCs);
- (e) if so, the key observations or findings from such reviews, particularly regarding infrastructure, staffing, outreach and service utilisation;
- (f)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  strengthen,  modernise  or  expand  the  network  of DDRCs; and
- (g) if so, the details of any planned initiatives in this regard ?

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1411

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 09/12/2025

## ISSUANCE OF UDID CARDS

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B. L. VERMA)

(a) As per the 2011 Census, there are about 2.68 crore persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India. Since the launch of the UDID project a total of 1,31,13,616 ( as on 05.12.2025) UDID cards have been issued across the country by the hospitals authorised by the state/UT governments.

(b) Major challenges:

(i) Shortage of medical experts to assess the disabilities of PwDs at the State/UT level,.

(ii)  Less  number  of  authorised  hospitals  in  the  State/UT  governments  for  issuance  of UDID cards.

(iii) Pendency of applications for UDID cards with hospitals.

(iv) Lack of awareness among the PwDs.

(c) and (d) (i) Notification of revised disability assessment guidelines for assessment of Persons included under RPwD Act, 2016 was done on 12.03.2024 which provides for the provision of inclusion of private medical doctors in the medical board to cater to the shortage of specialist at the designated hospitals in the States/UTs.

(ii)  Conducted  8  training  programs  on  revised  disability  assessment  guidelines  with  about 6000 medical professionals at various zones of the nation.

(iii) Regular training of the UDID Portal functionaries by the department.

(iv) Regular meeting by the senior officers of the department with the State/UT government for timely disposal of pending applications.

(e) The District Disability Rehabilitation Centers (DDRCs) are established and operated with the  support  of  the  State  Governments  and  function  under  the  overall  supervision  of  the District  Magistrate.  Under  the  Scheme,  the  Central  Government  mainly  provides  financial assistance in  the  form  of  viability-gap  support,  while  the  day-to-day  management,  staffing arrangements, infrastructure support and operational activities fall within the responsibilities of the State Government and district administration. For the appraisal of the Scheme for its continuation in the forthcoming Finance Commission cycle, an impact evaluation study has recently  been  undertaken.  The  study  has  brought  out  several  findings  including  the contribution  of  DDRCs  in  providing  district-level  rehabilitation  services,  increasing  local accessibility  for  persons  with  disabilities,  facilitating  early  identification  and  intervention activities. The study report also shows the enabling role of DDRCs in strengthening linkages with  district  health  and  education  systems  and  in  improving  awareness  and  outreach  on disability-related services.  Further, the report also shows that DDRCs largely function from government  or  hospital premises  thus ensuring basic functionality. Further, outreach practices remain robust ensuring effective service delivery.

(f) and (g): The scheme's guidelines were revised incorporating strengthening and modernising efforts e.g. provision for more  rehabilitation professionals/staff,  improved facilities etc. Submission/acceptance of online proposals under DDRCs was started from FY 2024-25.  Also, in July, 2025, a new dedicated online portal for submission and processing of proposals under DDRS including DDRC has also been started.

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