Central Govt Social welfare & Empowerment

Gharaunda-Group Home for Adults Scheme

Lifelong residential care for adults with autism/cerebral palsy · NGO-run Gharaunda centres · National Trust

The Gharaunda scheme funds registered NGOs to set up group homes providing lifelong care for adults with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, or Multiple Disabilities. Administered by the National Trust under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, it ensures residents receive medical care, vocational training, and a dignified living environment. NGOs can apply online at thenationaltrust.gov.in; individuals can enroll directly at a nearby Gharaunda Centre.

Department Of Empowerment Of Persons With Disabilities For: Individual Official Source

About This Scheme

Full official description

Gharaunda-Group Home for Adults scheme, launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities,aims at setting up Gharaunda Centres or Registered Organisations (RO) for for all Adult PwDs covered under the National Trust Act with adequate and quality care service with acceptable living standards including provision of basic medical care from professional doctors.

The objective of Gharaunda scheme is to provide an assured home and minimum quality of care services throughout the life of the person with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities and ensure the following for them:

Facilitate establishment of requisite infrastructure for the assured care system throughout the country
Encourage assisted living with independence and dignity
Provide care services on a sustainable basis

Benefits

Lifelong assured housing and care for persons with the covered disabilities
Professional medical care, counselling, and vocational/pre-vocational activities
Government funding for setup costs and ongoing operations disbursed through the National Trust

💡 Why Startups Should Care

If your startup serves the disability-care or social-impact sector, partnering with a Gharaunda Centre can provide a use case and potential pilot environment — National Trust is actively seeking NGO partners.

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

For persons with disabilities (PwDs):

Must be over 18 years of age
Must have one of the four disabilities under the National Trust Act 1999: Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, or Multiple Disabilities

For NGOs / Registered Organisations:

Must be registered with the National Trust and have a valid PwD Act registration
Must have at least 2 years' experience with PwDs (including 1 year in one of the four covered disabilities)
Must own the group home land or hold a lease of at least 10 years
Must not be blacklisted by the National Trust or any government body

How to Apply

PwD arrives at or is brought to an approved Gharaunda Centre — find the list at thenationaltrust.gov.in.
The centre conducts an individual assessment by a therapist or counsellor.
If eligible, enrolment form is filled by parent/guardian along with required documents.
Upon verification, PwD receives an ID card, starter kit, and Niramaya health insurance registration.
For NGOs wishing to set up a Gharaunda centre: apply online at thenationaltrust.gov.in and pay the ₹1,000 enrolment fee, then send hard copies of documents within 15 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which department has launched Gharaunda scheme?

This scheme has been launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

What are the main benefits of this scheme?

Benefits includes life long shelter and care of Persons with Disability (PwD) covered under the National Trust Act.

From where the PwD can get the facilities?

PwD can avail the benefits from Gharaunda Centres or Registered Organisation.

What is the main objective of this scheme?

The main purpose of this scheme is to provide an assured home and minimum quality of care services throughout the life of the person with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.

What would be batch size in a Gharaunda Centre ?

Batch size of a Gharaunda centre is 20 PwDs with a maximum number of PwDs allowed is 30% extra of batch size i.e. 26 for Gharaunda Centres.

What are the other benefits of the scheme?

PwD will be also provided with Vocational activities, pre-vocational activities and assistance for further training.

Who will be covered under this scheme?

Adult PwDs with more than age of 18 years will be covered under this scheme.

What is the enrolment process of the of PwD at the Gharaunda Centre?

Parent/legal guardian of the PwD have to come together at the Gharaunda Centre.Then the centre will conduct a PwD Assessment Test with the help of a Therapist or Counsellor.

How this scheme is also beneficial to the family of the PwD?

This scheme also helps in supporting family members of the PwDs to get some time during the day to fulfil other responsibilities.

What documents are required for enrolment ?

Enrolment form.
Birth certificate or Date of Birth proof of the PwD.
Disability certificate.
BPL certificate or Income certificate of Parent or Guardian issued by competent authority as authorized by the concerned State/ Union Territory (for LIG or BPL family).
ID proof of parent or guardian.
LG certificate in case parents are not the guardians, OR
LG certificate, if PwD>18 years of age and parents are not the guardians.

How to find the nearest Gharaunda center ?

Following the below URL Link : https://thenationaltrust.gov.in/content/centre-sanctioned-list.php

Ready to apply?

Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.

Apply on myScheme.gov.in

Documents Required

Enrolment form
Birth certificate or date of birth proof
Disability certificate
BPL certificate or income certificate (if applicable)
ID proof of parent or guardian
Legal guardian certificate (if parents are not guardians)
Land ownership or lease deed (for NGO applicants)
Bank account details