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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
(DIVYANGJAN)
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2218
ANSWERED ON- 11/03/2026
UNIVERSAL COVERAGE FOR PROVIDING COCHLEAR IMPLANTS
2218: SHRI MUKUL BALKRISHNA WASNIK:
Will the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment be pleased to state:
(a) the estimated number of children requiring cochlear implant in the country, State-wise;
(b) the details of the scheme that provides for cochlear implant, including the financial
assistance and the eligibility criteria to identify beneficiaries;
(c) number of beneficiaries covered under the scheme and the amount spent by Government
during last five years, year-wise;
(d) whether Government plans for universal coverage for providing cochlear implants; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B. L. VERMA)
(a) and (b): The Department is implementing the Assistance to Persons with Disabilities
for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP) Scheme, under which there is a
provision for Cochlear Implant(CI) for children with hearing impairment. The ADIP
Scheme is demand-driven, and cochlear implants are provided to eligible
beneficiaries who register under the Scheme, subject to eligibility criteria and
availability of funds. The eligibility criteria for beneficiaries and the quantum of
financial assistance provided under the ADIP Scheme is as under:
(I) Eligibility criteria for the beneficiaries
(i) Indian citizen;
(ii) Having at least 40% disability;
(iii) Monthly income from all sources not exceeding Rs. 30000(iv) Age below 5 years for congenital/pre-lingual hearing loss
(v) Age below 18 years for acquired/post-lingual hearing loss
(II) Financial Assistance
(i) Age below 5 years for congenital/pre-lingual hearing loss-Maximum of 7 lakhs per
beneficiary
(ii) Age below 18 years for acquired/post-lingual hearing loss-Maximum of 6 lakhs per
beneficiary
(c): Number of beneficiaries covered and funds released under the ADIP Scheme during
the last five year, year-wise is as under:
Year Number of CI beneficiaries Funds released
(Rs. in crore)
2020-21 543 17.92
2021-22 678 41.57
2022-23 1152 42.05
2023-24 1395 55.02
2024-25 41 8.00
(d) and (e): No.
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