In India, less than 40% of persons with disabilities (PwDs) have received the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card, essential for accessing government benefits. Over 11 lakh applications are still pending, with more than 60% delayed beyond six months.

The UDID system, under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, replaces older state-level disability certificates and connects PwDs to schemes like ADIP, providing wheelchairs, hearing aids, scholarships, and government job reservations. However, many states struggle: Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Odisha, and Karnataka cross 50% coverage, while West Bengal lags at just 6%.

Experts say delays stem from slow processing, poor ground-level communication during the UDID rollout, and limited digital literacy, as applications must be submitted online with scanned documents. Only 60% of India’s population above 15 can use basic digital tools, an even lower share among women.

Despite increased funding for PwD schemes, UDID-specific allocations have decreased. Advocates argue political neglect also plays a role: with PwDs forming a small constituency, their needs often go unheard. Without timely ID access, millions of disabled Indians continue to miss essential support meant to improve their lives.