Support you can get in India

Some of what your family needs is already paid for by the government. Most parents are never told. Here is what exists, who it is for, and the first step.

These are government programmes. We do not run them and we cannot get you a place on one. Who qualifies and what is available does change, so each one below shows when we last checked it and links to the official page.

Getting recognised

Unique Disability ID (UDID) card and disability certificate

What it gives you: A single national ID card and certificate that records your child's disability, once a government medical board has assessed it. It is the document most other entitlements on this page - and many outside it - ask you to produce first, so it is usually the right place to start.
Who it is for: Children assessed by a government medical authority as having one of the disabilities currently recognised under the scheme (the official page says the list runs to 21 disability categories and is "subject to updates"). A medical board decides the disability and its percentage.
What it costs: The official page does not state a fee for applying.
How to start: Register your child on the UDID portal, then apply for the disability certificate and UDID card either online or offline. A hospital or government medical board carries out the assessment before the card is issued.
What to take with you: Your child's Aadhaar number - the official page says this is now mandatory for both adults and children applying.
Who runs it: Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Read the official page

Checked 7 September 2026.

Getting therapy and early support

District Early Intervention Centres (RBSK)

Also called Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), the national child health screening programme

What it gives you: Free screening for children from birth to 18 years across 32 health conditions, including developmental delay, and free treatment and follow-up - including surgery where needed. For children aged 0-6, ongoing developmental support and follow-up happens at a District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC).
Who it is for: Any child from birth to 18 years. Developmental delay is one of the four categories the programme screens for, alongside birth defects, deficiencies and childhood diseases.
What it costs: Free. The official page states: "All these services are provided free of cost, thus helping their families reduce out of pocket expenditure incurred on the treatment."
How to start: Children are usually first screened by an ASHA worker, at an Anganwadi centre, or at a government school. If you have a concern before or outside a scheduled screening, you can approach your District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) directly for follow-up management.
Who runs it: National Health Mission, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Read the official page

Checked 7 September 2026.

General Services and Cross Disability Early Intervention Centre (CDEIC), NIEPID

Also called NIEPID (Divyangjan)

What it gives you: Assessment (special education, psychology, and medical assessment including EEG/EMG where needed), and therapy - physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Children aged 0-6 are seen through the Cross Disability Early Intervention Centre (CDEIC) unit; special education classes run from age 3 to 18; vocational training is offered from 18. The institute also runs a resource room for individuals with autism and one for individuals with sensory impairments.
Who it is for: Children and adults with intellectual disability, autism, or other developmental disabilities, across the age ranges the different units serve (0-6 for early intervention, 3-18 for special education, 18+ for vocational training).
What it costs: The official page does not state a fee amount. It says a concession on the service charge is available if you produce a white ration card or income certificate.
How to start: Register in person at the General Services & CDEIC Unit counters, National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), Manovikas Nagar, Bowenpally, Secunderabad. The unit is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. You can also call ahead: 040-27751741-45, extension 225.
What to take with you: A white ration card or income certificate, if you want a concession on the service charge.
Who runs it: National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Read the official page · Find your nearest

Checked 7 September 2026.

Money and equipment

Scheme of Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP)

Also called ADIP Scheme

What it gives you: Aids and assistive devices - the official page names wheelchairs and other equipment from an approved list - provided through grants-in-aid to implementing agencies such as ALIMCO, the National Institutes, and approved NGOs. Corrective surgery is provided first where a device cannot be fitted without it.
Who it is for: The scheme is described on the official page as being for "needy persons with disabilities" who require an aid or appliance. The page does not state an income limit or disability percentage.
What it costs: The official page does not state what a family pays. It describes the scheme as grants-in-aid to the agency providing the device, not a direct cash payment to families.
How to start: Apply through the ARJUN portal at adip.depwd.gov.in, or approach an implementing agency near you, such as a Composite Regional Centre or National Institute.
Who runs it: Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Read the official page

Checked 7 September 2026.

Niramaya Health Insurance Scheme

What it gives you: Health insurance cover up to Rs. 1,00,000 a year, on a reimbursement basis. The official page breaks this down as: hospitalisation and corrective surgery up to Rs. 55,000, outpatient care and dental treatment up to Rs. 19,000, ongoing therapies (including speech and occupational therapy) up to Rs. 20,000, AYUSH/alternative medicine up to Rs. 4,000, and transport up to Rs. 2,000. No medical test is required before enrolling.
Who it is for: People with a disability recognised under the National Trust Act, 1999 - the Act's own name lists autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation (intellectual disability) and multiple disabilities - who hold a valid disability certificate with a UDID card or UDID enrolment number.
What it costs: An annual premium applies, paid through the National Trust's own payment portal or by bank challan. The official page does not state the premium amount.
How to start: Enrol through the National Trust's Niramaya portal, linked from the scheme page, using your child's UDID card or UDID enrolment number.
What to take with you: A valid disability certificate with a UDID card or UDID enrolment number.
Who runs it: The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Read the official page

Checked 7 September 2026.

School

We have not been able to check this one yet. Samagra Shiksha is the national programme that funds school support for children with disabilities, and we know it exists, but we could not reach the official pages that set out its terms. We will not write it up from memory. When we can read the page ourselves, it goes here.

If you're told no

Complaint to the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

Also called CCPD

What it gives you: A formal way to complain when a government body denies your child something they are entitled to, or does not act. You write to the Chief Commissioner, who takes the matter up with the office concerned.
Who it is for: The official page says "an aggrieved person may present a complaint" about any "Ministry/Department/Establishment/Institution/Organization/Authority controlled or aided by Government of India". A parent can complain on their child's behalf.
What it costs: The official page does not mention a fee for filing a complaint.
How to start: You can complain in four ways: in person or through a representative with a written complaint, by registered post, by email, or through the online complaint portal the page links to. Say who you are, the nature of your child's disability, who you are complaining about, what happened, when and where, and what you want done about it.
What to take with you: A copy of your child's disability certificate - the page says enclosing it is mandatory. Other supporting documents help but the page says they are not mandatory.
Who runs it: Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

Read the official page

Checked 7 September 2026.

If you need to talk to someone now

These are free and run by the government.

Tele-MANAS — 14416. Answers day and night, in 20 languages.
CHILDLINE — 1098. For a child who is in danger or needs help.