Details
The “National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities” are being awarded by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment every year since 1969 in recognition of the skills and contribution of persons with disabilities, individuals and institutions engaged in the empowerment of persons with disabilities.

Award Categories
1. National Awards for Individual Excellence
2. National Awards for Institutions Engaged in Empowering Persons With Disabilities

The “Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Placement Agency” award is given by DoEPwD to the placement agency of Persons with Disabilities (excluding Government/State Government/local bodies). The Department confers national awards to commemorate the ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ which falls on 3rd December every year. The ceremony of the National Awards is held at Vigyan Bhawan. The National Awards are presented through the Hon’ble President or Hon’ble Vice President of India.

Benefits
Decoration
The Awardee is given a Certificate and a Shield

Award Categories
1. One Award for providing holistic comprehensive Rehabilitation Services.
2. 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.

Eligibility
The “Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Niyoktha” award is given by DoEPwD to the outstanding employers of the disabled under:
1. Government organization.
2. Public Sector Undertaking or Autonomous Body or Local Government Body.
3. Private or Non-Governmental Organization.

Selection Criteria & Weightage
Placed at least 50% registered unemployed disabled persons in employment during the last five years and that at least 30% of them were women – 20%
Total number of persons with disabilities placed during the last five years – 10%
His/her follow-up during the last five years coupled with placements of the people registered with him/her up to the end of the last year is outstanding – 25%
The percentage of dropout employees should not exceed 20% in a given year – 15%
The placement officer shall provide placement to all categories of disabled persons and maintain a balance amongst them while assisting for placement – 10%
Screening Committee may devise any other assessment parameter which may facilitate short-listing of applicants – 20%

Application Process
https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/naepwdnaieepwddklspa
Online

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)

Documents Required
1. Certificate of Registration (showing the Year of Establishment)
2. Proof of Address (for communication)
3. Proofs reg. the Nature of work undertaken by the Institution
4. Special or Outstanding Achievements (Certificates/Appreciation letters) in the past 10 (ten) years in the field of the Category of the Award at a) International level; b) National Level; c) State level; d) District level; e) Organisation level
5. Details of Awards or Honours received (Name of the Award; Conferring Agency; Year of Conferment), if any (attach citations), along with Justification for the Award
6. Any other Achievement for Consideration of the Award