National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities: Divyangjanon Ke Sashaktikaran Men Karyrat Sarveshrestha Sansthan is a prestigious recognition given by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to private organizations and NGOs for their outstanding work in helping disabled people for at least 10 years.
For the year 2026, the department invited online applications and nominations on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal from 15th May to 31st July 2026. The awards are presented on 3rd December 2026, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and the department keeps the online portal open every year for fresh nominations.
National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities: Divyangjanon Ke Sashaktikaran Men Karyrat Sarveshrestha Sansthan
National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities: Divyangjanon Ke Sashaktikaran Men Karyrat Sarveshrestha Sansthan recognizes institutions that work steadily for the welfare of the disabled community. It is run by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The award honours private organizations and NGOs that have completed at least 10 years of service after registration under the Society Act, Trust Act, or Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Since 1969, the ministry has celebrated the dedication of organizations working in this field. The awards are officially conferred at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 3rd December each year. The Hon'ble President or the Hon'ble Vice President of India presents these awards. According to the official public notice for 2026, only online applications on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal are accepted and no offline submissions are considered.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities: Divyangjanon Ke Sashaktikaran Men Karyrat Sarveshrestha Sansthan |
| Level | Central |
| Category | Social welfare and Empowerment |
| Target Beneficiaries | NGOs and Private Institutions |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Nodal Department | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities |
| Application Mode | Online on Rashtriya Puraskar Portal |
| 2026 Nomination Window | 15th May 2026 to 31st July 2026 |
| Official Website | depwd.gov.in and awards.gov.in |
Benefits
When an organization is selected for this honour, it receives a Certificate and a Shield in recognition of its efforts. The selection process focuses on two main areas:
- Providing complete and all-round rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities.
- Promoting inclusive education or preparing children with disabilities for higher studies in inclusive settings.
During the award ceremony, the ministry provides required support so that participation is smooth. The department covers the travel, boarding, and lodging expenses for the awardee and one escort. The daily allowance and travel arrangements match the entitlements of a Class-I officer of the Central Government.
Eligibility
To be considered for this award, an organization should have been active for at least 10 years after registration under the Society Act, Trust Act, or Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. The screening committee judges the institution on the following weighted points:
| Criteria | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Complete services provided | 10% |
| Use of new equipment | 10% |
| Implementation of new, innovative services | 15% |
| Updated strategies for existing services | 10% |
| Client follow-up and rehabilitation tracking | 5% |
| 10 years of experience in the field | 10% |
| Extension of reach in surrounding areas | 5% |
| Motivation and rural participation | 10% |
| Voluntary action and local public involvement | 5% |
| Geographical coverage area | 5% |
| Accessibility and disability categories served | 5% |
Exclusions
If an organization has previously received a National Award for Empowerment of Divyangjan, it cannot apply for this particular award again for a period of 5 years.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted only through the online portal. According to the 2026 public notice, the nomination window was open from 15th May to 31st July 2026 on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal. Organizations can complete the steps below once the portal opens for a new year.
STEP 1 - Visit the official Registration Page on the National Awards Portal.
STEP 2 - Fill in all required details and verify the information. Complete the declaration and submit the form to receive login credentials on the registered mobile number.
STEP 3 - Log in to the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal using the credentials. Select the relevant award category for Institutions and choose 'Nominate / Apply Now'.
STEP 4 - Fill out the application form carefully in Hindi or English, attach the required documents, and click submit before the last date.
Documents
The following documents should be kept ready while filling the application:
- Registration Certificate that confirms the year of establishment.
- Proof of communication address.
- Documentation detailing the nature of the institution's work.
- Certificates or appreciation letters highlighting achievements from the last 10 years at international, national, state, or district level.
- A detailed list of previous awards or honours received with their citations.
- Any additional evidence of the institution's impact for the committee's consideration.
References
Guidelines for National Awards 2026 | Public Notice Inviting Nominations 2026 | Official Guidelines on Department Website
FAQ's
When was this award first introduced?
National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities was first introduced in 1969.
Are offline applications accepted?
No. Applications must be submitted only through the online portal. Applications sent directly to the department in physical or soft copy will not be considered, as per the 2026 public notice.
Until when were the 2026 nominations open?
For the year 2026, the nomination window on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal was open from 15th May to 31st July 2026.
Can an organization apply for more than one category?
Yes. A separate nomination can be submitted if the organization is eligible for multiple categories, though only one award may be granted per year at the discretion of the national selection committee.
Can the application be edited after submission?
Details can be edited any number of times before the final submission. Once the final form is submitted, no further changes are allowed.
Is the document size limited during upload?
Yes. Any PDF document uploaded should not be larger than 5 MB.