FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in respect of the National Action Plan (NAP) for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)

1. When was the Scheme launched?

“National Action Plan (NAP) for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)” was launched on
21^st March, 2015.

2. What is the Objective of the “National Action Plan (NAP) for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)”?

To provide skill training to PwDs for enabling them to become self-reliant and productive members of society in order to achieve gainful wage/self-employment and to integrate them with the mainstream of society.

3. What are the basic features of the scheme guidelines?

Some of the basic features of the scheme guidelines are:

1. It is a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) implemented as one of the components of the
   “Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (SIPDA)”.
2. It is implemented as per Common Norms and relevant guidelines issued by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
3. Skill training is imparted through various Government and Non-Government organizations empanelled with the Department as Training Partners.
4. Empanelment of Training Partners and approval of Project Specific Proposals (PSPs) are carried out by a Selection Committee headed by a Joint Secretary-level officer of the Department.

4. Who is eligible for skill training?

1. Any citizen of India with not less than 40% disability and possessing a disability certificate issued by the competent authority.
2. The applicant should be at least 15 years old and not more than 59 years old on the last date of receipt of applications for the course.
3. The applicant should not have undergone any other skill training course sponsored by the Government of India during the two years preceding the last date of application for the course.

5. Whether a person with any category of disability can avail training facilities?

Yes. A person belonging to any category of disability identified under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, having not less than 40% disability and possessing a disability certificate issued by a competent medical authority, may avail skill training facilities if otherwise eligible.

6. Whether there is any provision of reservation for women candidates?

Yes. As provided in the guidelines, 30% of the total intake of each training programme is earmarked for women candidates to encourage their participation.

7. Whether any certificate is issued to the trainee after completion of the course?

Yes. Candidates who successfully pass the examination conducted by assessors empanelled with the Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) or other Sector Skill Councils are awarded certificates.

8. Whether there is an opportunity for employment after completion of the training course?

Yes. There are opportunities for both wage employment and self-employment after successful completion of training. As per Common Norms, Empanelled Training Partners (ETPs) are expected to provide placement (including self-employment) to at least 70% of trained candidates who pass the assessment.

9. What are the trades/courses taken up for training under the scheme?

Training is provided only in trades/courses aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and approved by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training under MSDE.

10. Whether applicants are required to submit any application to the Department/Ministry for skill training?

No. Skill training is provided through Empanelled Training Partners (ETPs). Details of ETPs are available on the Department’s website. PwD candidates intending to avail training facilities under the scheme may contact ETPs operating in their area and offering the trade of their choice.

15. What is the procedure of application and selection as ETPs?

1. Organizations are required to submit duly filled application forms along with the list of documents as per the prescribed Proforma (EOI) and information available on the Department’s website, i.e., disabilityaffairs.gov.in.
2. Organizations found suitable by the Selection Committee constituted in the Department are empanelled as Training Partners for a period of three years for organizing training programmes for PwDs.

16. What are the financial provisions and funding norms under the scheme?

1. Financial assistance is calculated on the basis of Common Norms notified by MSDE on 15^th July, 2015 and 20.05.2016, as amended from time to time.
2. Grant-in-aid is released in three instalments covering training cost, job outreach activities, boarding and lodging, etc.

17. Whether implementing agencies are provided additional financial support over and above the base cost for imparting skill development training to persons with disabilities?

Yes, additional support over and above the base cost is provided to ETPs for imparting skill training to persons with disabilities as follows:

1. 10% for Orthopedically Handicapped/Physically Handicapped.
2. 20% for Visually Impaired/Hearing Impaired.
3. 25% for Intellectual and Learning Disabilities, Mental Illness/Mental Retardation.

18. What is the mechanism for fund release in respect of skill training to ETPs?

Funds in lieu of skill training of PwDs are released to ETPs in three instalments on a batch-wise basis as follows:

19. Is there any provision of financial assistance to PwD trainees during or after training?

Yes. PwD beneficiaries are provided an amount of Rs. 5,000 for purchasing assistive devices during training and a conveyance allowance of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 1,500 per month for attending training at centres located within or outside their district of domicile, respectively.

PwDs can also avail residential facilities arranged by ETPs, and expenditure incurred by ETPs in this regard is reimbursed as per approved rates.

In addition, PwDs are provided Rs. 3,000 per month for a period of two to six months if they are placed/employed within three months of completion of training.

20. Whether skill development training of PwDs can also be conducted online?

Yes. Skill development training may be conducted online or in blended mode depending upon the nature of the course and prevailing guidelines.

21. Whether release of Grant-in-Aid depends upon successful completion of the training?

Yes. Assessment of PwDs on completion of training is conducted by the Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD). The second instalment of Grant-in-Aid is released in respect of those trained PwDs who successfully pass the assessment.

22. What measures have been taken by the Department to deal with the challenges arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Department has taken various measures to address the challenges arising out of the pandemic, which are as follows:

1. ETPs are allowed to conduct training in blended mode, under which training is imparted online to the extent possible as per the course curriculum, while practical sessions are conducted in offline/physical mode.
2. A Management Information System (MIS) has been developed to enable organizations to submit proposals for empanelment and training in online mode.
3. The Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) has been advised to conduct online assessment of PwDs upon completion of training.
4. SCPwD has developed an exclusive online application for Centre Inspection under NAP and a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate online training for Trainers and Assessors (ToT and ToA).