National Awards For Empowerment Of Persons With Disabilities: National Awards For Institutions Engaged In Empowering Persons With Disabilities: Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan Ke Karyanvayan/badhamukta Vatavaran Ke Srijan Mein Sarvshrestha Rajya/ Ut/ Zila
National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
The “National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities” serve as a prestigious recognition for individuals and organizations dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for persons with disabilities in India. Established by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DoEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, these awards have been presented annually since 1969. They honor remarkable contributions towards the implementation of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, aimed at creating a barrier-free society.
Overview of the Scheme
The awards acknowledge the efforts of entities that have made significant strides in the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, focusing on the development of accessible workplaces and facilities for individuals with disabilities. This includes ensuring mobility, providing suitable toilet facilities, and offering guidance in sign language.
Award Categories
- National Awards for Individual Excellence
- National Awards for Institutions Engaged in Empowering Persons with Disabilities
Additionally, the “Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan Ke Karyanvayan/Badhamukta Vatavaran Ke Srijan Mein Sarvshrestha Rajya/UT/Zila” award is conferred for exceptional work related to creating a barrier-free environment. This award encourages initiatives that promote easy access and integration of persons with disabilities into society. The awards are presented in a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd each year, presided over by the Hon’ble President or Vice President of India.
Benefits of the Awards
Recipients of the awards receive a certificate and a shield as recognition for their outstanding contributions.
Categories of Recognition
- One award is designated for organizations providing holistic rehabilitation services.
- Another award is aimed at educational institutions that promote inclusive education for children with disabilities, preparing them for higher studies.
Award Presentation Ceremony Details
- The awards ceremony takes place at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi every year on December 3rd, in observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
- The awards are presented by either the Hon’ble President or the Hon’ble Vice President of India.
- The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities covers the boarding and lodging expenses for awardees and one accompanying person.
- Travel expenses for the awardees and their escorts, including accommodation for one day before and after the ceremony, are reimbursed by the Department.
- Travel and Daily Allowance (TA/DA) for awardees and escorts is set at the level equivalent to a Class-I officer of the Central Government.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Criteria 1 (Weightage: 15%)
- Count of public buildings in the state.
- Number of public buildings identified for a barrier-free environment.
- Public buildings made accessible with funds from the Accessible India Campaign.
- Criteria 2 (Weightage: 15%)
- Number of cost estimates submitted to the DoEPwD.
- Details of buildings funded and utilized since the financial year 2015-16.
- Criteria 3 (Weightage: 30%)
- Details of buildings retrofitted for accessibility, including:
- Accessible parking, routes, reception counters, entrances, ramps, lifts, signage, toilets, and staircases.
- Criteria 4 (Weightage: 20%)
- Number of buildings made accessible using state funds.
- Additional initiatives improving accessibility in public buildings.
- Criteria 5 (Weightage: 20%)
- Other assessment parameters established by the Screening Committee for applicant shortlisting.
Eligibility for Nominations
Eligible nominators include:
- Any State/UT, Autonomous Body, Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), or registered non-governmental organization under the Trust Act, Society Act, or Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Application Process
To apply for the National Awards, follow these steps:
- Online Application: The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment will announce the opening of the National Awards Portal along with the application period through advertisements and their official website.
- Registration:
- Visit the National Awards Portal.
- Click “Register” in the top-right corner of the homepage.
- Complete all mandatory fields marked with a red asterisk.
- Agree to the declaration and fill in the Captcha code, then click “Submit”.
- Receive login credentials via your registered mobile number.
- Application Submission:
- Log in to the National Awards Portal using your credentials.
- Select the relevant award from the list.
For more information, please visit the official website: www.awards.gov.in.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria 1, Weightage: 15%
Total number of Public buildings in the State*
Total Number of Public buildings* identified for the creation of the barrier-free environment.
Total number of public buildings out of the above made accessible from Accessible India Campaign funds.
* Offices, Cinema Halls, theatres, Parks, Hospitals, Museums, Police Stations, tourist places, Monuments, Educational Institutes, Banks, Post offices, ATMs, Commercial Complexes, Market places, Streets, Libraries, Courts etc.
Criteria 2, Weightage: 15%
Total number of cost estimates sent to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Total number of buildings for which funds have been given and utilized. (financial year-wise details to be given beginning 2015-16 onwards)
Criteria 3, Weightage: 30%
The total number of buildings retrofitted with the following details:
a) Accessible Parking with marking as per accessibility standards
b) Accessible route connecting parking to alighting point
c) Tactile tiles/pavers from parking to the main accessible entrance and till rooms
d) Accessible reception counter
e) Accessible entrance/doors/corridors f) Ramps – wherever there are level differences or a lift is absent
g) Accessible lift
h) Signage (audio-visual) conspicuously placed
i) Accessible toilet on each floor
j) Accessible staircase (colour contrasting strip and Continuous handrails)
Criteria 4, Weightage: 20%
The total number of buildings made accessible from state funds.
Other important initiatives are taken up to improve the accessibility of public buildings.
Criteria 5, Weightage: 20%
Screening Committee may devise any other assessment parameter which may facilitate short-listing of applicants
Agencies Eligible to Make Nominations
Any State/UT/ Autonomous Body / PSU and nongovernmental organization registered under the Trust Act/Society Act/Section 8 of Company Act, 2013.
Benefits
Decoration
The Awardee is given a Certificate and a Shield
Award Categories
One Award for providing holistic comprehensive Rehabilitation Services.
One Award for promoting and imparting Inclusive Education or educational institutions that are preparing children with disabilities for inclusive education for higher studies.
Presentation of Award (Ceremony Details)
1. The ceremony of the National Awards is held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 3rd December, every year which has been declared as the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities”.
2. The National Awards are presented through the Hon'ble President or Hon'ble Vice President of India.
2. The boarding and lodging expenses of the awardees and one escort shall be borne by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
3. To and fro travelling expenses and accommodation for up to one day prior to and after the day of the awards ceremony shall be arranged and the expenditure shall be reimbursed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
4. The TA/DA admissibility of the awardees and their escorts shall be equivalent to a Class-I officer of the Central Government.
Application Process
Apply OnlineApply Now →Call for Applications
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) shall intimate the opening of the National Awards Portal as well as the prescribed period for submission of applications through advertisement in the newspapers/website of the Department. Applications/nominations are invited through online mode only on the centralized portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs. (www.awards.gov.in) which is open (w.e.f. 15th June to 31st July).
Registration
Step 1: Visit the National Awards Portal
. On the top right of the homepage, click "Register
".
Step 2: You will be directed to the Registration Page. Fill in all the mandatory fields (marked with a Red Asterisk).
Step 3: Check the "Declaration" checkboxes provided at the bottom of the page. Fill in the Captcha Code, and click "Submit".You will receive the Login Credentials on your Registered Mobile Number.
Application
Step 1: Visit the National Awards Portal
. On the top right of the homepage, click "Login".
Step 2: Login using credentials. From the list of awards, select "National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities", then click "Nominate / Apply Now".
Step 3: On the next page, fill in all the mandatory fields in the online application form, and then click "Submit".
Note 1: The Application should be in Hindi or English language only.
Calendar of Activities
1. Advertisement of National Awards/Opening of National Awards Portal: 1st May
2. Last date of receipt of applications: 31st July
3. Constitution of Screening Committees and National Selection Committees: 31st August
4. Meetings of the Screening Committees: 30thSeptemebr
5. Meeting of the National Selection Committee: 15th October
6. Verification of short-listed candidates: 15th October
7. Information/confirmation to awardees: 31st October
8. Presentation of National Awards: 3rd December (International Day of Persons with Disabilities)
References & Official Links
Scheme Details
| Full Name | National Awards For Empowerment Of Persons With Disabilities: National Awards For Institutions Engaged In Empowering Persons With Disabilities: Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan Ke Karyanvayan/badhamukta Vatavaran Ke Srijan Mein Sarvshrestha Rajya/ Ut/ Zila |
| Short Title | Naepwd:naieepwd:sbakk/bvksmsrutz |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Infra |
| Ministry | Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Categories | Social welfare & Empowerment |
| States | All India |
| Gender | All |
| Age Range | Any — 18 years |
| Caste/Category | PwD |
| Area | Both |
| Source | www.myscheme.gov.in ↗ |
Pragati
Deepika Raikwar is an Education Analyst and scholarship researcher who focuses on public welfare and merit-based scholarships. She simplifies complex eligibility rules, deadlines, and application processes to help common people access reliable funding opportunities worldwide.
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