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 the society in order to achieve gainful wage/self-employment and to integrate them with the mainstream of the society.

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

Some of the basic features of scheme guidelines are:

1. It is a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) implemented as one of the components of “Scheme for Implementation of Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (SIPDA).
2. It is implemented as per Common Norms and relevant guidelines issued by the M/o 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 PSP (Project Specific Proposal) are done by a Selection Committee headed by 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 having a certificate of disability to this effect issued by the competent authority.
2. Age of the applicant should be not less than 15 years and not more than 59 years on the last date of receipt of application for the course.
3. Applicant should not have undergone any other skill training course sponsored by Govt. of India during the period of two years to the last day of receipt of application for the course applied for.

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

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

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

Yes, as provided in the guidelines, as an endeavor to encourage women, 30% of the total intake of each training program shall be earmarked for women candidates.

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

Yes. Trained candidates who pass their examination conducted by Assessors empanelled with Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) or other Sector Skill Councils are awarded certificate.

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

Yes, there is opportunity of employment, both wage and self-employment after successful completion of training. As per Common Norms guidelines, Empaneled Training Partners(ETPs)are expected to provide placement (including self-employment) to at least 70% trained candidates who pass assessment on completion of the training.

9. What are the trades/courses taken up for training in the Scheme?

As per guidelines, training is provided only in the trades/ courses aligned with National Skill Qualification Framework (NSAQ) and approved by National Council for Vocational Education and Training under MSDE.

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

No, skill training is provided by the Department through ETPs. Details of ETPs are available at the Department’s Website i.e. disabilityaffairs.gov.in. PwD candidates intending to avail training facilities under scheme can contact ETPs providing training in their areas and in trade of their choice.

11. Who can apply for empanelment as Implementing Agencies/ETPs?

1. Department of the States Governments/Union Territories, or
2. Autonomous Bodies/Statutory Bodies/ Public Sector Undertakings set up by Central/State Government/UT Administrations including Central/State Universities, or
3. National Institutes/CRCs/DDRCs/RCs/Outreach Centres under MSJ&E, or
4. Organizations registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860, or Indian Trusts Act, 1882 or Companies Act, 1956 who are recognized for skill training by Central/State Government Departments or subordinate bodies there-under.

12. How many organizations have been empanelled as Training Partners for skill training by the Department so far?

292 organizations have been empaneled as training partners (ETPs) which includes Govt. as well NGOs. These ETPs are spread in different states / across the country. List of ETPs is available on website of the Department.

13. What is the eligibility criteria for becoming a Training Partner (ETP) of the Department under this scheme?

There are certain eligibility criteria for empanelment of an organization as a Training Partner under scheme which include mandatory requirement of having the organization at least 03 years’ old and minimum 03 years’ experience of skill training and registered with NGO-Partnership (NGO-PS) portal of the NITI Ayog.

14. Is there any marks matrix applicable for empanelment?

Yes, a marks matrix (criteria) of 100 marks is followed for empanelment and out of 100 marks an organization (NGO) is require to obtain 75 marks for empanelment. Marks matrix presently being followed is available on website of the Department and can be Viewed by clicking the link  also.

15. What is the procedure of applications and Selection as ETPs?

1. Organizations are required to submit duly filled up application along with list of documents as per the Pro-forma (EOI) and information available at 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 programs 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 on 20.05.2016, as amended from time to time.
2. Grant-in-aid is released in three installments covering training cost, job outreach activity, boarding & 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, the additional support- over and above the base cost is provided to ETPs for imparting skill training to persons with disabilities as under:

1. 10% for Orthopedically Handicapped/Physically Handicapped;
2. 20% for visually Impaired/Hearing Impaired; and
3. 25% for intellectual & 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 03 installments and batch wise mode in following manner:

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

Yes, PwD beneficiaries are provided an amount of Rs.5000/- for purchasing any assistive device during training and conveyance allowance of Rs.1000 and 1500 per month respectively for attending training at centres located in their district of domicile or outside district. PwDs can also avail residential facility during training arranged by ETPs and expenditure incurred by ETPs in this regard is reimbursed to ETPs as per approved rates. PwDs are also provided Rs.3000/- monthly up to 02 to 06 months if they are placed/employed within 03 months of completion of training.

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

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

Yes, assessment of PwDs on completion of training is done by Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD). 2^nd installment of GIA (50% of grant) is released in respect of those trained PwDs who pass the assessment.

22. What are the measures taken by the Department to deal with the challenges arisen out of the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Department has taken various measures to face the challenges arisen out of the pandemic which are as under:

1. The ETPs are being allowed to conduct training in blended mode under which training is imparted online to the extent possible as per the course curricula and practical is conducted in offline/ physical mode. It is being considered on a case-to-case basis on receipt of proposals from ETPs and considering the feasibility of online training of the proposed courses.
2. Management Information System (MIS) has been developed to enable the organization to submit the proposals for empanelment and training in online mode.
3. Skill Council of Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD) has also been advised to conduct online assessment of PwDs on completion of training.
4. SCPwD has developed an exclusive online application for Centre inspection under NAP and also a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate the online trainings for the Trainers and Assessors (ToT and ToA).