State Award for the Welfare of the Handicapped

State Award for the Welfare of the Handicapped is a recognition scheme of the Social Welfare Department, Government of Puducherry, for persons with disabilities and for individuals and institutions working for their welfare. Awards are announced every year on 3rd December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, with cash prizes and honorary shields. As per the official details updated on the department website, the award amounts now stand at ₹ 20,000, ₹ 25,000 and ₹ 35,000 depending on the category.

The scheme is open for nominations through the offices of the Social Welfare Department and the e-District portal of Puducherry. Eligible people and organisations in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam can apply and get recognised for their work towards differently abled citizens.

State Award for the Welfare of the Handicapped - Introduction

State Award for the Welfare of the Handicapped is a state-level honour given by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Puducherry. It recognises the outstanding work of differently abled employees, self-employed persons, individuals and institutions who serve the cause of persons with disabilities.

The award ceremony is held on 3rd December every year to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The aim is to encourage awardees to keep contributing to society and become more financially independent. The prize money was increased in the revised scheme details published by the department, which makes the award more useful for the winners.

Key Information

Benefits

As per the latest details on the official website of the Social Welfare Department, the award money for State Award for the Welfare of the Handicapped is as follows:

Note: All awards are officially conferred on 3rd December every year.

Eligibility

To apply for State Award for the Welfare of the Handicapped, you should meet the following conditions:

1. The applicant should have a disability of 40% or above, supported by a valid disability certificate, for the employee and self-employed categories.

2. There is no income limit and no age restriction for any category under this scheme.

3. Individuals and institutions serving the cause of differently abled people can also be nominated if they have been working for the welfare of persons with disabilities.

4. The applicant should belong to or be a resident of the Union Territory of Puducherry, including the Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions.

Application Process

Offline Application Process

STEP 1 - Visit the nearest office or sub-office of the Social Welfare Department during working hours and ask for a hard copy of the application form.

STEP 2 - Alternatively, download and print the prescribed application format from the official website.

STEP 3 - Fill the form carefully, attach a recent passport-size photograph and copies of the required supporting documents. Self-attest the copies wherever asked.

STEP 4 - Submit the completed application to the Deputy Director for Puducherry, the Assistant Director for Karaikal, or the Welfare Officer for Mahe and Yanam.

STEP 5 - Collect the acknowledgement receipt from the office, which records the date and time of submission.

Online Application Process

STEP 1 - Go to the official e-District portal of the Government of Puducherry.

STEP 2 - New users should click on Login and choose Register a New Membership to create an account.

STEP 3 - Enter your personal details, set a password and complete the registration.

STEP 4 - Log in with your credentials and look for State Award for the Welfare of the Handicapped in the list of schemes.

STEP 5 - Fill in the required fields, upload scanned copies of the documents and accept the declaration.

STEP 6 - Submit the application and save the reference number. Use the track application page to check the status regularly.

Documents

Keep these documents ready before you start the application:

• Aadhaar Card - for identity proof of the applicant.
• Ration Card - to show the family details of the applicant.
• Residence-cum-Nativity Certificate - confirms the applicant belongs to Puducherry.
• Recent Passport-Size Photograph - to be attached with the application form.
• Bank Passbook Details - for receiving the award amount, wherever applicable.
• Disability Certificate - showing disability of 40% or above.

References

Official Scheme Page | Official Notification and Advertisement | Download Application Form | Citizen's Charter | Track Application Status | Grievance Redressal

FAQ's

Is there an age limit to apply for this award?

No, there is no age restriction for applicants in any category of the scheme.

Can someone who is not differently abled but serves this community apply?

Yes, individuals dedicating themselves to helping persons with disabilities can apply and may receive the ₹ 25,000 award.

Who manages the application and selection process?

The Department of Social Welfare, Government of Puducherry handles the complete administration, and a State Level Committee makes the final selection for institutions.

What is the award amount for institutions?

Institutions serving the cause of differently abled persons can get ₹ 35,000, subject to final selection by the State Level Committee.

Do applicants need to meet any income limit?

No, there is no income limit for any category under State Award for the Welfare of the Handicapped.