Medical Board (Government Doctors)
Designated Government Hospital / District Hospital
Steps 3–4
Conducts medical examination of the applicant, assesses disability type and percentage, and issues Disability Certificate in prescribed format
Identity & Civil Registration#031
Understanding Disability Certificate and UDID (Unique Disability ID) card
Obtain a disability certificate and UDID card for 40%+ disability to access reservations and benefits.
At a glance
Jurisdiction
All of India — Disability Certificate issued by State government hospitals; UDID (Unique Disability ID) card issued by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Central Government) via swavlambancard.gov.in
Who applies
Persons with disabilities (PwD) as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act) — covering 21 specified disability categories — seeking a Disability Certificate and UDID card for government scheme benefits, concessions, and reservations
Typical time
Disability Certificate: Same day to 7 days (after medical board examination). UDID card: 15–30 days after uploading the Disability Certificate online.
Fee
Disability Certificate: Free (issued by government hospitals). UDID card: Free.
Who should use this process
- ✓Any person with one or more of the 21 specified disabilities under the RPwD Act, 2016, including: blindness, low vision, leprosy cured, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, dwarfism, intellectual disability, mental illness, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, chronic neurological conditions, specific learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis, speech and language disability, thalassemia, haemophilia, sickle cell disease, multiple disabilities, deafblindness, acid attack victims
- ✓The disability must be assessed as at least 40% by the medical authority (for eligibility under the RPwD Act and most central schemes); some state schemes and certain categories may have different thresholds
- ✓Indian citizen residing in the state where the certificate is sought
Who does NOT need to apply
- ✕Persons whose disability is assessed at less than 40% are not eligible for the Disability Certificate for most central government reservations and schemes, though state-specific schemes may have lower thresholds
- ✕Temporary or transient disabilities (e.g., a fracture that is expected to heal) are not eligible for a permanent Disability Certificate; they may receive a temporary certificate with a review date
Documents required
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identity proof — Aadhaar card / Voter ID / PAN card / Passport | Self-attested Copy | Establishes identity of the applicant for the medical board's record and UDID application |
| 2 | Residence proof — Aadhaar card / Voter ID / Ration card / Utility bill | Self-attested Copy | Establishes that applicant is resident of the state where the certificate is sought |
| 3 | Recent passport-size photographs (3–4 copies) | Soft copy (PDF) | Affixed to the Disability Certificate and UDID card; one photo must show the nature of disability where applicable |
| 4 | Existing medical reports, test reports, diagnostic reports (X-rays, audiometry reports, ophthalmic reports, psychiatric evaluation, etc.) relevant to the disability(optional)Not always required — the Medical Board may independently examine; but carrying existing reports significantly speeds up the process | Original | Medical evidence of the disability presented to the Medical Board for assessment; helps speed up the board examination |
| 5 | Birth certificate (for children)(optional)Required when the applicant is a minor | Self-attested Copy | Establishes age and guardianship for minors applying for disability certificate |
| 6 | Prescribed UDID application form (online registration on swavlambancard.gov.in) | Soft copy (PDF) | Central UDID registration application capturing personal details, disability type, and scanned disability certificate for UDID card issuance |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Register on the UDID portal and apply for Disability Certificate
OnlineVisit swavlambancard.gov.in and register a new account. Fill the online application form for Disability Certificate and UDID Card. Select the type of disability from the 21 listed under the RPwD Act. Select the nearest designated government hospital from the list. The portal generates an application number and a referral letter to the hospital.
Same dayhttps://swavlambancard.gov.in - 2
Visit the designated government hospital / Medical Board
OfflineTake the UDID portal application printout, identity proof, address proof, photographs, and all existing medical reports to the designated government hospital's Medical Board. The hospital may have specific days for disability certificate camps or walk-in examination. Register at the hospital's disability certificate desk.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) / Medical Superintendent of designated government hospital - 3
Medical Board examination and disability assessment
OfflineA Medical Board comprising two or more government doctors (including a specialist relevant to the disability type) examines the applicant. The Board assesses the nature, type, and percentage of disability as per the prescribed guidelines for each of the 21 disability categories. Specialist investigations (audiometry, ophthalmic assessment, psychiatric evaluation) may be conducted on the same day or referred.
Same day for straightforward cases; up to 7 days if specialist investigations are neededMedical Board (Government Doctors / Specialist Doctor) - 4
Medical Board issues Disability Certificate
OfflineAfter examination, the Medical Board issues a Disability Certificate in the prescribed format (Form VII under the RPwD Act Rules, 2017) stating: type of disability, percentage of disability, whether permanent or temporary (with review date if temporary), and the applicant's details. The certificate is signed by all Board members and carries the hospital seal.
Same day to 7 daysMedical Board Chairman / Civil Surgeon - 5
Upload Disability Certificate on UDID portal
OnlineLog in to swavlambancard.gov.in and upload a clear scan of the issued Disability Certificate against your existing UDID application. The hospital may also upload it directly if the hospital is integrated with the UDID portal. Verify that all uploaded details match the physical certificate.
Same day as certificate receipthttps://swavlambancard.gov.in - 6
Track UDID card processing and receive card
OnlineAfter certificate upload, the UDID portal processes the application and prints the UDID Card (Swavlamban Card). The card is dispatched by post to the applicant's registered address. Track dispatch status on the UDID portal. The UDID number is also generated online and can be used immediately for scheme benefits even before the physical card arrives.
15–30 days for card dispatchhttps://swavlambancard.gov.in
Government officers involved
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) / Civil Surgeon
District Health Department
Step 4
Chairs or countersigns the Medical Board; final authority on the disability percentage and certificate issuance
District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO)
State Social Welfare / Social Justice Department
Steps 1 and 6
Coordinates UDID programme at district level; resolves issues with certificate verification and UDID card dispatch
Government portals
UDID Portal (Swavlamban Card)
https://swavlambancard.gov.inRegister and apply for UDID card, upload disability certificate, track card status, download e-UDID
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD)
https://disabilityaffairs.gov.inInformation on RPwD Act 2016, disability schemes, National Trust benefits, and accessible India campaign
Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat)
https://accessibleindia.gov.inInformation on accessible infrastructure, assistive technology schemes, and rights under RPwD Act
Things to watch out for
Only 21 specific disability types are covered under RPwD Act 2016 — check if your condition qualifies
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 expanded the recognised categories from 7 (under the older 1995 Act) to 21. However, not all health conditions are recognised as disabilities under this Act. Before visiting the hospital, confirm whether your condition is listed among the 21 categories on the UDID portal.
40% disability threshold is required for most central scheme benefits
Most central government reservations (in education, employment), railway concessions, income tax rebates (under Section 80U), and DBTL benefits require the disability to be assessed at 40% or more. A certificate showing less than 40% will not entitle the holder to these benefits. State schemes may have lower thresholds — check state-specific norms.
Temporary certificates require renewal — do not miss the review date
For conditions that may improve over time (e.g., certain locomotor disabilities post-surgery), the Medical Board may issue a temporary certificate with a review date. The UDID card linked to a temporary certificate will also have an expiry date. Renew before expiry or benefits will lapse.
Medical Board may not be available every day — plan the hospital visit in advance
Government hospital Medical Boards for disability assessment typically sit on specific days of the week (e.g., Tuesdays and Thursdays). Call the hospital's CMO office in advance to confirm the Medical Board schedule and whether an appointment is needed to avoid long waiting times.
UDID number enables digital verification — use it instead of carrying the physical certificate
The UDID number generated online is accepted for digital verification by many government departments and scheme portals. Use the UDID number and e-UDID card (downloadable from swavlambancard.gov.in) for online scheme applications. Carry the physical UDID card for railway concessions and access to hospital queues.
Income Tax rebate under Section 80U requires assessment at 40% or 80% disability
Income Tax rebate under Section 80U of the Income Tax Act allows ₹75,000 deduction for 40%+ disability and ₹1,25,000 for severe disability (80%+). The Disability Certificate must specifically state the percentage. Ensure the Medical Board records the percentage clearly on the certificate.