**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2651, answered on December 16, 2025, regarding the government's efforts to upgrade rehabilitation centers for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and elderly citizens. The response details the measures taken to assess challenges, improve facilities and programs, and introduce new initiatives for social inclusion and economic empowerment. The Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri B L Verma, delivered the response.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Welfare Scheme Implementation:**
* The government regularly reviews the implementation of welfare schemes through various mechanisms.
* **ADIP Scheme:**
* A third-party evaluation report for the ADIP Scheme (assistive devices distribution by ALIMCO and other Implementing Agencies) shows improved mobility, access to education and livelihood, and overall well-being for beneficiaries.
* Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendras have further strengthened the department's integrated and accessible rehabilitation services.
* **Scholarships for Students with Disabilities (Divyangjan):**
* The Umbrella Scheme is regularly monitored through internal reviews and third-party evaluations.
* Strengthened delivery through mandatory UDID, One-Time Registration, bio/face authentication, and mapping of the National Scholarship Portal with the UDID Portal to ensure authentic disbursals.
* **Senior Citizens:**
* The Department implements Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana.
* A Third Party Evaluation study shows that the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens, enhancement of grant-in-aid, monitoring by Project Monitoring Unit, and initiation of projects in uncovered States have led to a positive outreach.
* A dedicated Senior Citizen Portal was launched in 2025 to strengthen digital access and faster grievance redressal.
* **Rehabilitation and Skill Development:**
* The Department approved 30 Composite Regional Centres as outreach arms of National Institutes for rehabilitation services, personnel training, education and skill development, and community awareness.
* Skill training is provided under the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (ages 15-59) through government and non-government training partners.
* **General Initiatives:**
* The Government is taking steps to strengthen inclusive welfare measures, ensure regular reviews with stakeholders, expand rehabilitation and skill initiatives, and improve digital access to schemes for all vulnerable groups.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Persons with Disabilities
* **Impact:** Improved access to assistive devices, rehabilitation services, scholarships, and skill development programs.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available resources and programs, register for UDID and One-Time Registration where applicable.
**Stakeholder:** Elderly Citizens
* **Impact:** Enhanced access to welfare schemes, digital access, and grievance redressal through the Senior Citizen Portal.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the Senior Citizen Portal and related schemes.
**Stakeholder:** Government and Non-Government Training Partners
* **Impact:** Involvement in the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities.
* **Action Required:** Provide skill training to persons with disabilities (ages 15-59) according to the National Action Plan.
**Stakeholder:** Vulnerable Groups
* **Impact:** Improved social inclusion and economic empowerment through various welfare schemes and initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Access available welfare schemes and utilize offered support.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The primary ministry responsible for the welfare schemes and rehabilitation centers mentioned in the document.
ADIP Scheme: Scheme distributing assistive devices to persons with disabilities, beneficiaries reported improved mobility, greater access to opportunities for education and livelihood and overall well-being.
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities (Divyangjan): An Umbrella Scheme
Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana: Implemented for senior citizens
National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities: Provides skill training to persons with disabilities aged 15 to 59 years through Government and non-government training partners.
Government of India
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No - 2651
TO BE ANSWERED ON - 16/12/2025
UPGRADATION OF REHABILITATION CENTRES FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS
2651. Shri Zia Ur Rehman:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed challenges faced by persons with disabilities,
elderly citizens and other vulnerable groups in accessing welfare schemes, if so, the details
thereof;
(b) the measures taken to upgrade rehabilitation centres, scholarship programmes and skill
training facilities; and
(c) whether the Government plans to introduce new initiatives to ensure social inclusion
and economic empowerment of disadvantaged communities, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B L VERMA)
(a) to (c): The Government regularly reviews implementation of welfare schemes through
various mechanisms.
As per the latest Third Party Evaluation report for ADIP Scheme distributing assistive devices by
ALIMCO and other Implementing Agencies, beneficiaries reported significant improved
mobility, greater access to opportunities for education and livelihood and overall well-being.
Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendras established under the Scheme have further strengthened the
department’s integrated and accessible rehabilitation services.
The Umbrella Scheme “Scholarships for Students with Disabilities (Divyangjan)” is regularly
monitored through various regular internal reviews and its Third Party Evaluation report states
that beneficiaries have seen its delivery has been strengthened through mandatory UDID, One-
Time Registration, bio/face authentication and mapping of the National Scholarship Portal with
the UDID Portal ensuring authentic disbursals.For senior citizens, the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment implements Atal Vayo
Abhyuday Yojana, and a Third Party Evaluation study has shown that through its Integrated
Programme for Senior Citizens, enhancement of grant-in-aid, monitoring by Project Monitoring
Unit for surprise inspections and initiation of projects in uncovered States, all has led to a
positive outreach. A dedicated Senior Citizen Portal was also launched in 2025 to further
strengthen digital access to schemes and faster grievance redressal.
The Department has approved 30 Composite Regional Centres as outreach arms of National
Institutes to provide rehabilitation services, train personnel, support education and skill
development, and raise community awareness on rights of persons with disabilities. Skill
training is being provided under the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons
with Disabilities to persons aged 15 to 59 years through Government and non-government
training partners.
The Government takes steps for further strengthening inclusive welfare measures, ensure regular
reviews with stakeholders, expand rehabilitation and skill initiatives, improve digital access to
schemes for all vulnerable groups.
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