The Government of Goa has taken another significant step towards building an empowered society by introducing the Divyang Kaushal Yojana.
The scheme focuses on skill development, vocational training and employment-oriented opportunities for persons with disabilities, while strengthening institutions that work towards their empowerment and rehabilitation.
Through financial assistance for setting up and operating sheltered workshops, the scheme aims to create an enabling environment where persons with disabilities can develop skills, participate in productive activities and move towards greater independence.
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At a Glance:
- Divyang Kaushal Yojana is for persons above 18 years of age
- Institutions to receive up to ₹2.90 lakh per month for operational expenses
- A one-time grant of ₹10 lakh is provided
- Government will reimburse 75% of approved expenditure
- Eligible institutions must have at least three years of experience with a minimum enrolment of 20 persons with disabilities.
- Up to six units per district to be sanctioned
A New Chapter towards Inclusive Goa
The Government of Goa places Divyang Kaushal Yojana at the heart of disability inclusion with skill development and economic empowerment.
The objective of the scheme is to provide skill-based training to persons with disabilities so that they are empowered and skilled for employment and lead an independent life.
The scheme supports registered and government organisations, NGOs, trusts and institutions working in the field of disability empowerment. These institutions will play an important role in providing vocational training and supervised work opportunities through sheltered workshops.
The Government’s support, therefore, extends beyond establishing physical facilities as it covers important operational requirements that will help these workshops to function effectively.
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Up to ₹2.90 Lakh Monthly Operational Assistance
To ensure that sheltered workshops have the necessary human resources and operational support, the scheme provides recurring financial assistance of up to ₹2.90 lakh per month.
| No. | Admissible Grant as per Norms | Amount |
| I | Financial Assistance to 1 Vocational In-charge | ₹25,000 per month |
| II | Financial Assistance to Vocational Assistants / Special Educators | |
| a) | For 2 Vocational Assistants / Special Educators for 20 persons with disabilities, at ₹20,000 each per month | ₹40,000 per month |
| b) | For 1 additional Vocational Assistant / Special Educator for every additional 10 persons with disabilities, at ₹20,000 per month | ₹20,000 per month |
| Maximum of 4 Vocational Assistants / Special Educators are permissible under the scheme, at ₹20,000 each per month | ₹80,000 per month (maximum) | |
| III | Financial Assistance to 1 Clerk-cum-Accountant | ₹18,000 per month |
| IV | Financial Assistance to 2 Attendants / Caretakers, at ₹16,000 each per month | ₹32,000 per month |
| V | Administrative Expenses (Rent, Maintenance, Electricity, Water, Telephone, etc.) | ₹15,000 per month |
| VIII | Transport Allowance at ₹2,000 per month per inmate | ₹40,000 per month |
| IX | Food Expenses at ₹200 per inmate | ₹1,20,000 per month |
Source: Government of Goa
The operational grant is provided on a reimbursement basis. Against eligible expenditure supported by bills, vouchers and receipts, the Government will reimburse 75% of the approved cost, while the organisation will bear the remaining 25%.
This structured financial support will help institutions provide the human resources and facilities required for quality vocational training and care.
The Government is also providing a one-time infrastructure grant of ₹10 lakh for setting up sheltered workshops and purchasing furniture, machinery and other approved requirements.
The assistance includes support towards 50% of the cost of raw materials, subject to the applicable rules and formalities. The one-time grant can be sanctioned once in five years.
By supporting both infrastructure creation and operational requirements, the scheme seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity available for vocational rehabilitation across Goa.
Ensuring Quality and Accountability
To ensure effective implementation, the Divyang Kaushal Yojana sets clear eligibility criteria for participating institutions.
- The scheme is open to registered organisations, government organisations, NGOs, trusts and institutions working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
- Institutions must generally be registered under Section 50 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, have at least 20 persons with disabilities enrolled, and possess three years of relevant field experience.
- Applicants must have the financial capacity to operate the sheltered workshop independently for at least six months in case of delays or discontinuation of government grants.
- Institutions must have a good reputation, no registered criminal cases, and accessible physical and digital infrastructure.
- A maximum of six units per district can be sanctioned under the scheme.
- Government organisations are exempt from certain eligibility requirements, including the registration and minimum-enrolment conditions.
These provisions aim to ensure that government assistance reaches credible, experienced and capable institutions equipped to provide effective skill development and employment-oriented support to persons with disabilities.
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Keeping Persons with Disabilities at the Centre
One of the notable provisions of the scheme is that the entire profit generated by the sheltered workshop is required to be distributed among the persons with disabilities who are part of the workshop.
This reinforces the Government’s emphasis on ensuring that economic activity directly contributes to the empowerment and financial well-being of beneficiaries.
The scheme also encourages institutions to maintain accessible physical and digital infrastructure and build effective networks to mobilise communities and make optimum use of available resources.
Strengthening Goa’s Future
The Divyang Kaushal Yojana reflects Goa’s commitment to creating opportunities where persons with disabilities can learn, work and participate more fully in society.
With financial assistance for infrastructure, vocational professionals, transport, food and other operational requirements, the scheme provides institutions with a comprehensive framework to support skill development and employment-oriented activities.
The scheme will be reviewed after three years based on its performance, feedback and emerging needs, allowing the Government to strengthen and refine the programme in line with the evolving requirements of persons with disabilities.
The vision is clear: an inclusive Goa where disability does not limit opportunity, and where every individual has the support to build skills, pursue meaningful work and move towards an independent and dignified life.
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