Who is eligible to apply for the NAP-SDP scheme and what are the basic requirements?

To be eligible for this scheme, applicants must be Indian citizens between the ages of 15 to 59 years and should have a disability of at least 40%, certified by a government authority. They must not have participated in a similar skill training program under NAP in the past year. Additionally, candidates must enrol in courses approved by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and meet the criteria laid out for each course in terms of education, age, and disability specifics.

What kind of training and benefits does the scheme provide to PwDs?

The NAP-SDP scheme offers multiple benefits including vocational training, job placement services, mentorship programs for entrepreneurship, and self-employment support. Training is delivered through a network of public, private, and NGO partners, coordinated under the guidance of the Sector Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD). These partners provide market-relevant skills, job readiness programs, and even financial assistance or guidance for launching small businesses—helping PwDs become economically independent.

What is the Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) Scheme and why was it launched?

The Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) Scheme, also known as the National Action Plan for Skill Development of PwDs (NAP-SDP), was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Its primary aim is to empower persons with disabilities by offering them high-quality vocational training that enhances their employability and helps them become self-reliant. The initiative also promotes social inclusion and economic independence, especially for those facing challenges in accessing education or jobs due to physical or cognitive disabilities.

How can one apply for the Skill Development of PwDs scheme through the PM-DAKSH portal?

Eligible applicants can apply for the scheme online through the PM-DAKSH portal. They need to register as a candidate by providing their personal, training, and bank details along with a valid email and mobile number. After verifying the OTP, applicants can log in, fill out the detailed application, upload necessary documents, and submit the form. The status of the application can be tracked via the dashboard, and notifications are shared via SMS or email.

What documents are required to complete the application for the PwD Skill Development scheme?

Applicants must upload specific documents to verify their identity and eligibility. These include the UDID Card or enrolment number, Aadhaar number or enrolment ID, valid disability certificate, proof of age such as a birth certificate or school record, and a caste certificate if applicable. These documents help ensure that the benefits reach the right individuals and that the training programs are inclusive and well-targeted.

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National Action Plan For Skill Development Of Persons With Disabilities

Alankar Mishra

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Updated: 28-01-2025 at 7:36 AM

National Action Plan For Skill Development Of Persons With Disabilities

Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) program seeks to build the capacity of the PwD communities through training geared toward making them self-reliant and contributing members of society. This is one of the initiatives launched by the government in response to the economic challenges and marginalisation that those living with a disability encounter. Along these lines, the government has prepared a National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities, which includes both e-learning as well as regular classes.

These government programs are intended to equip the PWDs with relevant occupational skills, improving their chances of getting decent jobs and better employment opportunities. The initiative further aims at meeting the need for good rehabilitation services which will address the disabled people more effectively.

Overview

Scheme Name	National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP)
Launched By	Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Launch Year	2015
Target Group	Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)
Key Components	Vocational training, mentorship, entrepreneurship support
Eligibility	Indian citizens with at least 40% disability, aged 15-59 years
Application Portal	PM-DAKSH Official Portal

What is The Skill Development Of PwD?

The National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP) or the National Agency for Skill Development for the Disabled scheme is a government program designed to provide high-quality vocational training specifically for people with disabilities. The government scheme was launched in March 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Its main goals are to enhance the skills of people with disabilities, enabling them to secure employment and become self-reliant and productive.

Components of NAP

The National Action Plan (NAP) envisions Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) as active members of society who are provided with skills, opportunities, and support to improve their lives. NAP seeks to accomplish this through vocational training, job placements, and self-employment activities. The following are the important components of NAP:

Skills Training: Disabled People Empowerment incorporates skills training programs which are developed in partnership with training institutions, international NGOs and organisations.
SCPwD (Sector Skill Council of Persons with Disabilities): This is in collaboration and partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship to ensure that training is industry-informed.
Mentorship Projects help people with disabilities set up their ventures with guidance from the industry.
Job Placement Services, work towards linking trained PwD to available job opportunities.
Self-Employment Support, provides funds and other resources to people in need of employment to become resources themselves.

Significance of NAP

The National Action Plan or NAP enhances the life experiences of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). It enables them to be self-sufficient, assimilate within society, and seize chances for self as well as career development. Here’s Why NAP is Important:

Economic Independence: Equips PwDs with skills that would enable them to generate sustainable sources of income.
Social Inclusion: Facilitates the active involvement of PwDs in society.
Access to Opportunities: Addresses barriers to educational and job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Skill Enhancement: Provides customised training courses that respond to market needs of the industry.

Benefits Of The Skill Development Of Persons With Disabilities Scheme

The goal of The Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities Scheme is to enhance the skill set and employability of disabled individuals. It offers a structural approach to training, mentoring and finding a job. Here are the key benefits of this government initiative:

Training is provided by various partners, including government bodies, the public sector, training centres, private institutions, and NGOs.
A network of these partners helps offer effective training with good job chances.
A special Sector Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) works with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and NSDC.
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) also offers mentorship projects to help PwDs start their businesses, working with industry groups and experts.

Schemes/Programs Implemented Under This Initiative

PM-DAKSH: Skill development and job creation for PwDs.
NSDC Initiatives: Industry-aligned training modules for employability.
Entrepreneurship Support Programs: Grants and loans for self-employment.
SCPwD Training Projects: Vocational training with a focus on specific disabilities.

Eligibility Criteria To Apply For The Skill Development Of PwD

The Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities Scheme has minimum eligibility requirements that the applicants have to meet to ensure that only those most in need can avail the benefits of the govt scheme. The requirements are as follows:

The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
The applicant should have at least 40% disability.
The applicant should be between 15 and 59 years old when starting the course.
The applicant should not have taken another skill training course under the National Action Plan for PwDs in the past year.
The applicant must enrol in courses approved by NCVET and meet the age, qualification, and disability requirements listed in the course guidelines.

Application Process Of The Skill Development Of PwD Scheme

Applying for the Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities Scheme is quite easy and it's reachable to the interested eligible people. For this government yojana here is a step-by-step guide to the application scheme:

Registration Process

Step 1: Go to the PM-DAKSH Official Portal.

Step 2: Click "Candidate Registration" at the top right to start.

Step 3: Fill in the basic, training, and bank details.

Step 4: Create a username, and password, and provide an email address.

Step 5: Enter the OTP to verify.

Application Process

Step 1: Log in with your credentials.

Step 2: Fill out all the required details.

Step 3: Attach the necessary documents.

Step 4: Review your information and documents, and make any corrections.

Step 5: Agree to the terms, declaration, and privacy policy.

Step 6: Click "Submit" or "Apply" to send your application. You’ll get a confirmation message.

Tracking Of Application

Step 1: Check your application status on your dashboard.

Step 2: The portal may also update you via email or SMS.

Documents Required

To be eligible for the Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities Scheme, applicants are required to submit certain documents as evidence of their qualifications. Here’s the list of required documents:

UDID Card Number or UDID Enrolment Number.
Aadhaar Number or Aadhaar Enrolment Number.
Disability Certificate.
Proof of Age.
Caste Certificate (if applicable).

Conclusion

Differently-abled people usually have to be dependent to get things done and they are usually financially dependent as well. To help them be self-reliant, the government introduced the Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities scheme. With the help of this government scheme, they will be provided with training programs to help them be more self-reliant.

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