Disabled people will not get money for skill development scheme without this document, central government changes the rules

In a significant policy update, the Central Government has made it mandatory for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) to provide their Aadhaar number to receive benefits under the national Skill Development Scheme (NAP-SDP). This new rule came into effect from July 2, 2025, following an official notification published in the government gazette.

Under the updated guidelines, beneficiaries must submit their Aadhaar number or a valid registration certificate during enrolment. Only then will they be eligible to receive financial support covering transportation allowance, boarding and lodging expenses, and job placement assistance.

🎯 Why This Change?

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) launched the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP) in March 2015. Its core objective is to empower Divyangjan by providing them with high-quality vocational training, helping them gain meaningful employment and become financially independent.

Officials say the mandatory Aadhaar authentication aims to ensure greater transparency, prevent fraud, and guarantee that the benefits reach the genuine and deserving beneficiaries without any leakages.

🧾 What If You Don’t Have an Aadhaar Number?

The new notification clarifies that any eligible person who does not yet have an Aadhaar number must apply for one. In the case of minors, parents or legal guardians can submit the application on their behalf.

Until the Aadhaar number is issued, beneficiaries can temporarily use alternative documents such as a birth certificate, school records, or any government-issued ID to avail of the benefits. However, once the Aadhaar is generated, it will become mandatory for continued disbursement of scheme benefits.

🏢 Govt to Set Up Accessible Aadhaar Enrollment Centers

To make the process easier for persons with disabilities, the ministry has directed its implementation agencies to set up Aadhaar enrollment centers at accessible locations. In some cases, these agencies may even become official Aadhaar registrars themselves.

Additionally, designated officials will verify the enrolment and identification documents through the UIDAI portal and coordinate with other government departments as needed to facilitate the Aadhaar process for beneficiaries.

📢 Awareness Campaign to Spread the Word

To ensure that no eligible beneficiary misses out on financial support due to lack of awareness, the ministry will soon roll out a special media awareness campaign. This will educate Divyangjan and their families about the requirement of Aadhaar for accessing benefits under the skill development scheme.

Officials emphasize that the aim is not to deprive anyone of benefits but to make the entire process more streamlined, efficient, and foolproof.

🚍 What Costs Are Covered Under NAP-SDP?

Under the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities, the following costs are covered:

✅ Transportation Allowance: Reimbursement of travel costs to and from training centers.
✅ Boarding and Lodging: Free accommodation and meals for outstation candidates during the training period.
✅ Placement Assistance: Financial support for job placement activities post-training.

The scheme’s focus is on skill training in sectors with good employment potential, customized to the specific needs and capabilities of different categories of disabilities.

💡 Why Aadhaar Matters

The government has been progressively linking welfare schemes with Aadhaar to eliminate duplicate or fake beneficiaries and to ensure that funds reach the rightful recipients.

Similar Aadhaar requirements already exist for schemes like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), PM-Kisan, and Ujjwala Yojana, among others.

By extending this requirement to the skill development program for Divyangjan, the government aims to bring consistency and accountability across social welfare initiatives.

📅 When Do the New Rules Apply?

The new Aadhaar mandate for the Skill Development Scheme for Divyangjan is effective from July 2, 2025, the date on which the official notification was published in the gazette.

The notification also instructs all concerned ministries, departments, and implementing partners to comply with the updated rule immediately.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Mandatory Aadhaar: Beneficiaries must provide an Aadhaar number or valid registration proof to receive financial support.

• Alternate Proofs Accepted Temporarily: Birth certificates or school records can be used until Aadhaar is issued.

• Accessible Enrollment: New Aadhaar enrollment centers will be set up at Divyang-friendly locations.

• Awareness Campaign: Govt to launch media drives to spread information about the new rules.

📌 Bottom Line

This policy update is a step toward making the National Skill Development Scheme for Divyangjan more robust, transparent, and efficient. While it places an additional documentation requirement on beneficiaries, the government promises to make the process smooth and accessible for everyone.

Eligible persons with disabilities are advised to keep their Aadhaar and related documents ready and to enroll promptly if they haven’t already, to continue receiving timely support for transportation, accommodation, and employment assistance under the scheme.