National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities
NAP-SDP provides free vocational and skill training to Indian citizens with disabilities (40%+ disability certificate) aged 15–59, helping them gain employment or self-employment. Training is delivered through government, public sector, and private training partners linked to sector skill councils. Apply online via the PM-DAKSH portal at pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in.
About This Scheme
NAP-SDP provides free vocational and skill training to Indian citizens with disabilities (40%+ disability certificate) aged 15–59, helping them gain employment or self-employment. Training is delivered through government, public sector, and private training partners linked to sector skill councils. Apply online via the PM-DAKSH portal at pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in.
Full official description
The National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP) is a dedicated skill development program aimed at providing high-quality vocational training with a focus on Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). Launched in March 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, this Central Sector Scheme operates as part of the Umbrella Scheme SIPDA (Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act). The primary objectives of this scheme are:
To enhance the skills of Persons with Disabilities by providing quality vocational skill training, enabling them to gain meaningful employment.
To empower PwDs to become self-reliant, productive, and contributing members of society.
Benefits
- Free vocational and skill training (short-term and long-term) through approved training partners nationwide
- Access to a dedicated Sector Skill Council for PwDs (SCPwD) for industry-relevant certifications
- Mentorship projects for self-employment, developed in collaboration with industry bodies and domain experts
- Training available in multiple sectors including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and more
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be an Indian citizen
- Must have a documented disability of at least 40% as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
- Must be between 15 and 59 years of age
- Must not have completed another NAP-SDP training course within the past year
- Must enroll in NCVET-approved courses matching your disability type and age
How to Apply
Step 1: Registration
- Visit the Official Portal of PM-DAKSH. Create an Account: Click on the "Candidate Registration" icon at the top right of the page. You will be taken to the registration page.
- Fill in the following mandatory fields:
- Basic Details: Social Category, Name of Trainee, Father's/Husband's Name, Date of Birth, Gender, State, District, Address with PIN Code, Location, Educational Qualification, Upload Photo (Upload file size 10 to 50 kb )File Format type (JPG, PNG). - Training Details: Choose State, District, Job Preference, Training Institute, Duration. - Bank Details: Account Holder Name, Bank Name, Branch Name, Active Bank Account Number, IFSC Code.
Step 2: User Credentials and OTP Verification
Choose a username, password, and email address. Ensure the password meets security requirements.
You will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) on your registered mobile number or email.
Enter the OTP to verify your identity.
Step 3: Application
Use the credentials you created during registration to log in.
Fill in all the mandatory fields of the Application Form and upload all the mandatory documents in the specified format and size.
Carefully review all the information provided and the documents uploaded. Make any necessary corrections.
Acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions, declaration, and privacy policy.
Click the "Submit" or "Apply" button to send your application. You'll receive a confirmation message.
Track Application Status
You can check your application status on your dashboard. The portal may provide updates via email or SMS regarding your application status.
Help and Support
Frequently Asked Questions
O is responsible for developing or customizing job roles for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) under this scheme, and what types of courses are generally provided?
Sector Skill Councils for PwDs are responsible for job role development, and training is typically offered in NSQF-aligned courses developed by SCPwD and other Sector Skill Councils.
Can organizations enter into MOUs with specific companies to create special courses, and are assessment and certification based on specific criteria?
Yes, MOUs can lead to customized courses, and assessment and certification are conducted based on National Occupational Standards (NOS).
What role do Employability Skills (E.S.) courses play in the training, and what are the minimum qualifications and experience required for Trainers?
E.S. courses are mandatory before Domain Skills, and Trainers must meet the qualifications and experience as specified in the Qualification Pack (QP).
Who conducts the assessment, and what criteria are used, and what is the role of the NDFDC in monitoring training provided by training partners?
Assessment is done by SCPwD or authorized agencies based on QP criteria, and NDFDC monitors training quality.
Can the Department inspect the premises of Training Partners, and what is the budget allocation for administrative expenses?
Yes, the Department can inspect premises. Administrative expenses utilize 3% of the NAP-SDP budget.
What are the components covered under administrative expenses, and what norms apply to the funding of this scheme?
Administrative expenses include human resources, publicity, monitoring, software development, and more. The funding norms follow Common Norms for Skill Development Schemes.
What organizations are responsible for developing the training curriculum, and what are the requirements for linking trainee details?
Sector Skill Councils for PwDs develop the curriculum, and trainee details should be linked with UDID Card numbers or enrollment numbers and disability certificates if UDID cards are unavailable.
How can organizations prove placements, and when will projects be canceled if they don't commence?
Organizations must submit documents as proof of placements, and projects not commencing within two months from approval will be automatically canceled.
When does training commence, and how is the first installment of funding processed?
Training can start after 7 days of commencement, and the first installment is processed after 7 days of training with biometric attendance. Training without biometric attendance or certified trainers is not valid.
What are the criteria for trainers to be considered valid?
Trainers must be certified in the relevant domain SSC and SCPWD, as per the eligibility criteria mentioned in the course QP by NCVT.
Can empanelled training partners request to train new batches at validated centers?
Yes, they can request to train new batches at centers that have been previously validated.
What documents must NGOs provide when applying for this scheme?
NGOs must be registered with the NGO Portal of NITI Ayog and provide a Unique ID at the time of application for grants.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- UDID Card Number or UDID Enrolment Number
- Aadhar Number or Aadhar Enrolment Number
- Disability Certificate
- Proof of Age
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)