If you or a family member has a disability, the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card is the single government-recognised proof you need — it replaces the older paper disability certificates issued separately by each state and works everywhere in India, from railway counters to school admissions to job applications. This guide explains exactly how to apply for it online, what documents to keep ready, and how to track and download your card once it's approved.
What Is the UDID Card?
The UDID (Unique Disability ID) card is issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. It gives every person with a benchmark disability a unique 18-digit ID number linked to a digital record of their disability details, medical certificate, and personal information. It combines the disability certificate and the ID card into one document, so you no longer need separate paperwork from each state or department to prove your disability status.
Why You Need a UDID Card
- ●4% reservation in government jobs under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016
- ●Reserved seats and fee concessions in schools, colleges, and scholarships under the National Scholarship Portal
- ●Concessions on railway and state bus travel
- ●Income tax deductions under Section 80U (self) and Section 80DD (dependent) of the Income Tax Act
- ●Priority registration and treatment at government hospitals
- ●Free or subsidised aids and appliances (wheelchairs, hearing aids, artificial limbs) under the ADIP Scheme
- ●Eligibility proof for disability pension and welfare schemes
- ●One card accepted nationwide instead of multiple state-specific certificates
Who Is Eligible
Any Indian citizen certified with a benchmark disability of 40% or more, as defined under the RPwD Act, 2016, can apply. There is no age limit — children, working-age adults, and senior citizens can all apply, though cards issued to minors under 18 need to be renewed periodically as explained below.
Disability Types Covered (RPwD Act, 2016)
| Physical disabilities | Locomotor disability, leprosy cured persons, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, acid attack victims, muscular dystrophy |
| Visual disabilities | Blindness, low vision |
| Hearing & speech disabilities | Deaf, hard of hearing, speech and language disability |
| Intellectual disabilities | Specific learning disability, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability |
| Mental behaviour | Mental illness |
| Blood disorders | Thalassemia, haemophilia, sickle cell disease |
| Multiple disabilities | Deaf-blindness, multiple disabilities combined |
Documents Required
- ●Aadhaar card (or Aadhaar enrolment slip if the number hasn't arrived yet)
- ●Existing disability certificate from a government hospital or medical board, if you already have one
- ●Recent passport-size colour photograph
- ●Address proof — Voter ID, ration card, or a recent utility bill
- ●Mobile number linked to Aadhaar, for OTP verification
How to Apply for a New UDID Card Online
- 1Go to the official portal: https://www.swavlambancard.gov.in
- 2On the homepage, click "Apply for Disability Certificate & UDID Card"
- 3Read the instructions on screen, tick the box "I have read and understood the process", then click Submit
- 4On the next screen, select "Apply for New UDID Card" (or the option matching your status) and click Submit
- 5Choose "Apply with Aadhaar Number", enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and the captcha code shown
- 6Click Get OTP, enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number, then click Verify
- 7Fill in the application form — personal details, disability details, employment details, and identity details
- 8Upload the passport-size photo, existing disability certificate (if any), Aadhaar copy, and address proof
- 9Click Submit and note down the Enrolment ID / Application ID shown on the confirmation screen — you'll need it to track status and download the card
Don't have a disability certificate yet? The same application form lets you apply for one directly — your case is automatically forwarded to the nearest government hospital's medical board for assessment.
Medical Assessment Process
If you applied without an existing certificate, the district medical board schedules an in-person assessment at a government hospital. You'll receive the appointment date via SMS on your registered mobile number. Carry your Aadhaar, any prior medical records, and the acknowledgement slip to the appointment. The board examines you and records the disability type and percentage, which then feeds directly into your UDID application.
How to Check UDID Application Status
- 1Visit https://www.swavlambancard.gov.in
- 2Click "Track your Application / Registration / Certificate / UDID Card" on the homepage
- 3Enter your Enrolment Number or UDID Number along with your date of birth
- 4Click Submit to view the current status of your application
How to Download Your UDID Card and Certificate
- 1Go to https://www.swavlambancard.gov.in
- 2Click "Download your Certificate / UDID Card"
- 3Enter your UDID Number or Enrolment Number along with your date of birth
- 4Click Submit and download the PDF of your Disability Certificate and UDID Card
Once approved, both your Disability Certificate and UDID Card are available as free PDF downloads on the portal — no need to visit any government office to collect a physical copy.
Fees & Validity
| Application fee | Free — no charge on the official portal |
| Typical processing time | 4–8 weeks; can extend to 3–6 months depending on state medical board load |
| Validity for adults (18+) | Lifetime |
| Validity for minors (under 18) | 5 years — must be renewed with a fresh assessment |
| Card format | Digital PDF (immediate download) plus a physical PVC card sent by post |
Never pay any agent, cyber café, or third-party website to apply for a UDID card. The official portal swavlambancard.gov.in is completely free — websites charging a "processing fee" for UDID applications are frauds.
Renewing or Updating Your UDID Card
For a minor whose card is nearing the 5-year expiry, log in on the portal using the existing UDID number and apply for renewal before it lapses — a fresh medical assessment is usually required. Adults with lifetime-validity cards can still log in to update personal details such as address or mobile number, or to request a duplicate card if the physical copy is lost.
Helpline & Support
For queries related to registration, status, or card delivery, call the UDID helpline at 1800-11-4515 (toll-free). If your application is stuck at the medical assessment stage, you can also contact your district's Chief Medical Officer or the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities office directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- ●Can I apply for UDID without Aadhaar? Yes, an Aadhaar enrolment slip along with another accepted ID proof can be used if you haven't received your Aadhaar number yet.
- ●Is the UDID card accepted in every state? Yes, it is a central government ID valid across all states and union territories.
- ●What if my disability percentage is below 40%? You can still get a disability certificate, but benchmark-disability benefits like job reservation require 40% or more.
- ●Can I edit my application after submitting it? Minor corrections can be made by logging in with your Enrolment ID before final approval; after approval, use the update option for changes.
- ●Do I need to renew an adult's UDID card? No, cards issued to persons aged 18 and above are valid for life and do not need renewal.