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The Unique Disability ID (UDID) project, launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, aims to create a national database of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and provide them with a single identification document that is valid across the country. Despite its importance, recent data highlight serious gaps in its coverage and implementation.

Current Status and Coverage

• Less than 40% of India’s projected PwD population have been issued UDID cards.
• Over 11 lakh applications remain pending, with more than 60% delayed for over six months.
• In most States, fewer than half of PwDs possess the card; only Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Odisha, and Karnataka have crossed the 50% coverage mark.
• West Bengal stands out with an extremely low coverage of around 6%.
• Data for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were unavailable separately.

Features of the UDID Card

• Structure: An 18-character alphanumeric ID, encoding details such as state, district, disability type, year of birth, and a security checksum.
• Types of Cards (based on disability percentage):
  • White: Below 40% disability.
  • Yellow: 40%–80% disability.
  • Blue: Above 80% disability.
• Issuance: Authorized by district hospitals or the hospital where the PwD is undergoing treatment, under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

Objectives of the UDID Project

• Creation of a centralized, nationwide database of PwDs.
• Elimination of duplicate records and ensuring portability across States.
• Online and offline submission of applications, with provision for renewal and updates.
• Tracking of physical and financial progress of beneficiaries through an integrated Management Information System (MIS).
• Facilitation of access to benefits under schemes such as:
  • ADIP Scheme – providing assistive devices like wheelchairs, prostheses, and hearing aids.
  • Scholarships for education.
  • Reservations in employment and educational institutions.

Implementation Challenges

• Delayed Processing: Over half of all applications remain pending beyond six months, with Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Mizoram having the highest backlog.
• Digital Divide: The application process requires online submissions and document uploads, which excludes many due to low digital literacy. Only about 60% of Indians above 15 years can use basic digital tools; the share is even lower among women and PwDs.
• Staggered Roll-out: Earlier, States issued disability certificates locally; the transition to UDID was not communicated effectively, leading to confusion.
• Reduced Funding: While overall allocation for PwD welfare has increased, budgetary support for the UDID sub-scheme has declined, constraining outreach.
• Political Marginalization: PwDs constitute only 2.68 crore people (2011 Census), making them a relatively small political constituency. This reduces policy priority, as their collective influence on electoral outcomes is limited.

Significance

• Welfare Access: UDID acts as a gateway to schemes, ensuring uniformity and portability across States.
• Data-Driven Policy: Enables real-time monitoring and evidence-based policymaking.
• Administrative Efficiency: Prevents duplication and leakages in welfare delivery.
• Social Inclusion: Supports the objectives of the RPwD Act, 2016 and aligns with India’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).