Basics
- PwDs in India: ~2.68 crore as per Census 2011 (~2.2% of population; real number likely higher).
- UDID Scheme:
- Launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
- Aim: Create a national database of PwDs; issue Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards.
- Benefits:
- Access to welfare schemes (ADIP for assistive devices).
- Scholarships, reservations in jobs/education.
- Recognition of disability uniformly across states.
- Earlier system: State-specific disability certificates at district/taluka level → fragmented, not portable.
Relevance : GS II (Governance – Welfare Schemes, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, Digital Divide) + GS II (Federalism – Centre–State implementation gaps).
Current Status
- Coverage: Less than 40% of projected PwDs have UDID cards.
- Only 4 states (TN, Odisha, Meghalaya, Karnataka) crossed 50% coverage.
- West Bengal: ~6% coverage (lowest).
- Pending Applications: Over 11 lakh, with 60% pending for 6+ months.
- High pendency: Himachal Pradesh (80%+), Ladakh, Mizoram.
Causes of Low Coverage
- Implementation Delays: Staggered rollout, weak ground-level communication.
- Digital Divide:
- Applications only via website.
- Need to upload scanned documents → barrier for digitally illiterate.
- Govt survey: Only 60% of Indians above 15 yrs can use basic digital tools (copy-paste); lower among women.
- Administrative Bottlenecks: Processing delays at state/district levels.
- Funding Constraints: While overall PwD schemes saw higher allocation, UDID sub-scheme funding declined.
- Political Marginalisation: PwDs (~2.68 crore) form a small vote bank, hence low political priority.
Implications
- Exclusion from Welfare: PwDs without UDID denied assistive devices, scholarships, reservations.
- Inequity in Access: State-specific disparities widen inequalities.
- Trust Deficit: Long pendency erodes faith in institutions.
- Digital Inequality: Exposes systemic exclusion of vulnerable groups in “Digital India” push.
Governance & Policy Concerns
- Rights Perspective: PwDs’ rights enshrined in Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
- Failure of Convergence: UDID intended as a universal identity for seamless access → failing due to weak implementation.
- Centre–State Gaps: Execution uneven, states vary widely in outreach & processing.
- Data Reliability Issues: Projections based on 2011 Census & NSSO → outdated, underestimates real PwD population.
Global Comparisons
- US: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures rights + central database integration with welfare programs.
- EU: European Disability Card → mutual recognition across member states.
- India: Still struggling with universal coverage, digital barriers, and fragmented implementation.
Way Forward
- Administrative Efficiency: Clear deadlines to process applications; reduce pendency backlog.
- Offline/Hybrid Access: Allow UDID applications at CSCs, panchayat offices, PHCs → bridge digital divide.
- Awareness Campaigns: Grassroots communication on benefits of UDID.
- Digital Literacy Training: Special modules for PwDs and caregivers.
- Updated Data: Use NFHS/updated census for realistic PwD numbers.
- Enhanced Funding: Increase UDID-specific allocation, not just general PwD schemes.
- Political Mainstreaming: Recognise PwDs as a rights-based constituency, not just a welfare target.
