## Policy Summary: National Fund for Persons with Disabilities (2020-2025)
This document summarizes the status and operation of the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities (NFPwD) from 2020 to 2025, as presented to the Lok Sabha on July 22, 2025. The NFPwD, overseen by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, aims to support individuals with benchmark disabilities through financial assistance.
**Financial Overview:**
* **Corpus Allocated:** ₹250 Crore
* **Fund Sanctioned (Till March 31, 2025):** ₹23.69 Crore
* **Fund Disbursed (Till March 31, 2025):** ₹22.75 Crore
* **Fund Utilized (Till March 31, 2025):** ₹17.24 Crore
**Beneficiary Data:**
The department does not maintain state-wise data on beneficiaries. However, the following year-wise data is available regarding the number of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) benefited across different categories:
| Category | F.Y. 2021-22 | F.Y. 2022-23 | F.Y. 2023-24 | F.Y. 2024-25 | Total |
| -------------------- | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | ----- |
| Education | 34 | 0 | 60 | 728 | 822 |
| Assistive Devices | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Entrepreneurship Support | 50 | 336 | 282 | 0 | 668 |
| Skill Development | 0 | 11 | 2 | 179 | 192 |
| **Total** | **84** | **347** | **346** | **907** | **1684**|
**Mechanisms for Identification and Disbursement:**
The Ministry has established guidelines for financial assistance, with applications accepted year-round through an online portal. Eligibility is assessed based on established criteria, and eligible cases are submitted to the Governing Body for approval and fund disbursement. In 2025, the income criteria exemption was continued.
**Expansion and Scope:**
The disabilities specified under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, are eligible for financial assistance. This includes multiple disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Specific Learning Disability (SLD), and intellectual disabilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for social justice and empowerment.
Department of Empowrerment of Persons with Disabilites Divyangjan: A department focused on the empowerment of persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
National Fund for Persons with Disabilities: A fund established to provide financial assistance and support to persons with disabilities.
Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar: Member of Parliament who raised a question regarding funds allocated for the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske: Member of Parliament who raised a question regarding funds allocated for the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
Smt. Shambhavi: Member of Parliament who raised a question regarding funds allocated for the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde: Member of Parliament who raised a question regarding funds allocated for the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities RPwD Act, 2016: Indian legislation that protects the rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWRERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES (DIVYANGJAN)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 451
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22/07/2025
Funds Allocated for National Funds for Persons with Disabilities
451. Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar:
Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske:
Smt. Shambhavi:
Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the total corpus allocated, sanctioned, disbursed and utilized under the National Fund for Persons
with Disabilities since 2020;
(b) the details and the number of persons with benchmark disabilities have benefited from the Fund
across various categories for education, assistive devices, entrepreneurship support and skill
development, State-wise and year-wise;
(c) the details of the mechanisms that are in place to ensure timely identification of eligible
beneficiaries and disbursement of benefits under the Fund;
(d) the details of the steps that have been taken by the Government to operationalize and expand the
scope of the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities in 2025; and
(e) whether the Government is considering to increase the Fund’s allocation or coverage under Budget
2025–26 to support new categories such as neurodivergent individuals or those with multiple
disabilities, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) The details of corpus allocated, sanctioned, disbursed and utilized under the National Fund for
Persons with Disabilities since 2020 are as under:
Till 31.03.2025 (Amt in Cr.)
Corpus allocated Fund Sanctioned Fund Disbursed Fund Utilized
250 23.69 22.75 17.24(b) State wise data in respect of Persons with Benchmark disabilities benefited in the category of
Education, assistive devices, entrepreneurship support and skill development is not maintained in the
Department. However, year-wise details as under :
Category No. of PwDs benefited
F.Y. 2021-22 F.Y. 2022-23 F.Y. 2023-24 F.Y. 2024- Total
25
Education 34 0 60 728 822
Assistive devices 0 0 02 0 02
Entrepreneurship Support 50 336 282 0 668
Skill Development 0 11 02 179 192
Total 84 347 346 907 1684
(c) & (d) : The Ministry has established guidelines for financial assistance under the National Fund,
with applications accepted year-round through an online portal for individuals with disabilities and
related organizations. Applications are reviewed based on eligibility criteria, and eligible cases are
presented to the Governing Body for final approval for fund disbursement. In 2025, the guidelines
has been revised to continue the exemption from income criteria, aiming to benefit more persons with
disabilities.
(e) The disabilities specified under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016
including Multiple Disabilities ASD, SLD and Intellectual disabilities are considered eligible for
financial assistance under the National Fund.
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