Specially-abled individuals in India — especially those with low income — who need assistive devices (hearing aids, wheelchairs, white canes, screen readers, prosthetics) but cannot afford them, and do not know the government will provide them for free.
The right assistive device could transform your ability to work, study, and live independently — but quality devices cost tens of thousands of rupees. You want to know if you qualify for government assistance and how to access it without navigating confusing bureaucracy.
This guide covers every aspect of the ADIP scheme: eligibility criteria, the full list of approved devices, how to apply online and offline, which NGOs distribute devices in your state, and how assistive technology directly expands your career options.
ADIP Scheme: How to Get Free Assistive Technology from the Government of India
The Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme is one of the most generous and least-known government programmes for specially-abled Indians. Run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the scheme provides free or subsidised assistive devices — worth up to Rs 10,000 per device in most categories and significantly more for high-cost items — to specially-abled individuals who meet the income criteria.
If you or a family member needs a hearing aid, wheelchair, white cane, prosthetic limb, tricycle, Braille kit, or screen reader software — this scheme may get it for you at zero cost.
What Is the ADIP Scheme?
ADIP stands for Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances. It has been running since 1981 and is implemented through:
- ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India) — the government-owned manufacturer of assistive devices based in Kanpur
- NGOs registered with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment — distribute devices at camps and through their networks
- District-level Social Welfare Offices — coordinate and verify applications
The scheme is demand-driven — when you apply, you get assessed, and eligible items are provided either immediately at a camp or dispatched to you.
Who Is Eligible for the ADIP Scheme?
Income Criteria
- Individuals with monthly income up to Rs 20,000 — receive devices free of cost
- Individuals with monthly income between Rs 20,001 and Rs 35,000 — receive devices at 50% of cost
- Individuals above Rs 35,000 monthly income — not eligible for ADIP subsidy
Condition Criteria
- Must have a condition of 40% or above (benchmark condition under RPWD Act)
- Must have a valid UDID card or disability certificate
- Must be an Indian citizen
- Age: Generally no age restriction (children and adults both eligible)
Frequency Restriction
The same person can receive assistance for the same device only once every 3 years. For growing children (below 18), frequency may be reduced based on need.
Devices Covered Under ADIP — Full List
For Visually Impaired
- White folding cane (standard and long)
- Braille kits (Braille slate, stylus, writing frame)
- Talking books / digital audio books
- DAISY player
- Braille watch
- Smart cane (advanced GPS-enabled cane — selected camps)
For Hearing Impaired
- BTE (Behind-The-Ear) hearing aids — both ears if needed
- Batteries for hearing aids (3-year supply in some programmes)
- Cochlear implant support (through select government hospitals)
For Locomotor / Physical Conditions
- Manual wheelchairs (standard and folding)
- Motorised wheelchairs (for severe locomotor conditions — limited availability)
- Tricycles (hand-operated for lower limb conditions)
- Crutches, axillary and elbow type
- Prosthetic limbs (upper and lower — fitted by ALIMCO or certified prosthetists)
- Callipers (metal and polypropylene)
- Calipers with shoes
- Walking sticks
- Rollators
For Multiple and Intellectual Conditions
- Special seating systems
- Communication boards and AAC devices (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)
- Cervical collar and spinal support
Software and Technology (Emerging Category)
- Screen reader software (JAWS, NVDA) — through select empanelled organisations
- Magnification software
- Modified keyboards for limited mobility
How to Apply for the ADIP Scheme
Method 1: Through an ADIP Camp
The most common method. ALIMCO and empanelled NGOs organise ADIP distribution camps in cities and rural areas throughout the year. These camps are announced through:
- District Social Welfare Office notices
- Local government advertisements
- NGO newsletters and WhatsApp groups
- ALIMCO website: alimco.in
At a camp, you get assessed on the spot, fitted for the device (where applicable), and receive it the same day or within a few weeks.
Method 2: Through an Empanelled NGO
Apply directly to an NGO registered with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in your area. Submit your application form with income proof, UDID card, and recent photograph. The NGO processes your application and facilitates device delivery.
Method 3: Through the District Social Welfare Office
Walk in or post your application to your District Social Welfare Office. They will refer you to the nearest ALIMCO service centre or empanelled NGO for assessment and distribution.
Documents Required
- UDID card / disability certificate (minimum 40% condition)
- Income proof (salary slip, BPL card, or income certificate from tahsildar)
- Aadhar card
- Recent passport-size photographs (typically 2–3)
- Medical prescription or assessment note for the specific device (for hearing aids, prosthetics)
- Bank account details (for direct benefit transfer subsidy in some cases)
ALIMCO: The Manufacturing Backbone
ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India) is the government entity that manufactures and supplies most ADIP scheme devices. Based in Kanpur, ALIMCO has service centres and fitting camps across India. For prosthetics and callipers, you will typically be referred to an ALIMCO service centre for fitting and customisation.
ALIMCO's major service centres operate in: Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Noida/Delhi, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
How Assistive Technology Changes Career Opportunities
The right device is not just a welfare item — it is a career enabler. Here is how specific devices expand professional possibilities:
Hearing Aids → Professional Communication
A well-fitted hearing aid opens every meeting, phone call, and professional interaction. Hearing-impaired professionals with appropriate hearing aids work successfully in every sector — banking, IT, education, media, and manufacturing.
Screen Readers → Tech and Finance Careers
Visually impaired professionals using screen readers like JAWS or NVDA work as software developers, data analysts, content writers, lawyers, and financial analysts. NASSCOM has documented how screen reader-proficient professionals contribute across India's technology industry.
Wheelchairs and Mobility Devices → Physical Access
A quality wheelchair — especially a lighter folding model — enables professionals with locomotor conditions to commute, use public transport, and attend workplaces. Motorised chairs extend independence further for those with upper limb involvement.
Once you have the assistive technology you need, explore IMAbled's ability-inclusive job listings to find roles from employers who have created genuinely accessible workplaces.
State-Specific ADIP Programmes
Karnataka
The Karnataka government supplements ADIP through its own Viklangata Sahaya Nidhi scheme, providing additional devices not covered federally. Contact DEDASC (Department for Empowerment of Differently-Abled and Senior Citizens) in Bengaluru.
Maharashtra
The Maharashtra state government's Social Justice Department runs supplementary assistive device camps, particularly during special ability awareness events. Large annual camps are held in Mumbai, Pune, and Aurangabad.
Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women administers specialised women-focused assistive device support. The Department for the Welfare of Differently Abled Persons also runs state-funded camps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find an ADIP camp near me?
Check the ALIMCO website (alimco.in) for upcoming camps. Contact your District Social Welfare Office or any large NGO working in the specially-abled space in your area. State disability welfare departments also advertise camps on their websites and through local newspapers.
Can I get a hearing aid under ADIP without a prescription?
At ADIP camps, on-the-spot audiological assessment is typically conducted before fitting a hearing aid. You do not need to bring a prior prescription, but an existing audiogram helps. The camp audiologist or ENT specialist will verify your hearing loss and determine the appropriate device.
Is the ADIP scheme available in rural areas?
Yes. ADIP camps specifically target rural and semi-urban areas. ALIMCO and empanelled NGOs organise mobile camps that travel to taluk and block levels. District Social Welfare Offices in every district also process applications from rural applicants.
What if I earn more than Rs 35,000 per month but still cannot afford the device?
If your income exceeds the ADIP limit, explore the NHFDC (National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation) loan schemes that provide low-interest or subsidised loans for assistive devices. Some state governments also have higher income threshold schemes. Additionally, some NGOs and CSR programmes provide devices irrespective of ADIP income limits.
Can working professionals (employed) apply for ADIP?
Yes, absolutely. Employment status is not a disqualifier — only the income limit matters. If your monthly income is below Rs 20,000 (or between Rs 20,001 and Rs 35,000 for 50% subsidy), you qualify regardless of whether you are employed, self-employed, or a student.
