Gujarat announces 32 Divyang awards across three categories for 2025
Synopsis
Gujarat has picked 32 winners from 69 applicants for its 2025 State Divyang Awards — honouring disabled workers, disability-friendly employers, and a placement officer. With a ₹10,000 cash incentive and state-level recognition, the scheme reflects Gujarat's structured push to bring persons with disabilities into the economic mainstream.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat has finalised 32 state-level Divyang awards for 2025 across three categories.
23 awards go to persons with disabilities in employment or self-employment; 8 to employers; 1 to a placement officer.
Selection was made from 69 applications by a 13-member State Divyang Awards Selection Committee.
Awardees who are persons with disabilities will receive ₹10,000 cash plus a certificate; employers and the placement officer receive a shield and certificate.
The meeting was chaired virtually by Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya and held in Gandhinagar .
The Gujarat government has finalised 32 state-level awards for persons with disabilities (Divyang) and those supporting their employment, following a review of 69 applications submitted for 2025, the State Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department announced on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. The selection was conducted in Gandhinagar under the virtual chairmanship of Labour, Skill Development and Employment Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya.
Award Categories and Distribution
The 32 awards span three distinct categories. Of these, 23 awards go to persons with disabilities who are engaged in employment or self-employment, while eight awards recognise employers who have created meaningful job opportunities for Divyang individuals. The remaining one award is earmarked for a placement officer who assisted in facilitating such placements.
Minister of State Kantilal Amrutiya also attended the selection committee meeting. The State Divyang Awards Selection Committee comprises 13 members drawn from both government and non-government sectors, who collectively reviewed all applications before arriving at the final list.
What Awardees Will Receive
Persons with disabilities recognised for employment or self-employment will receive a cash incentive of ₹10,000 along with a certificate of merit. Outstanding employers and the selected placement officer will be honoured with a shield and a certificate. The awards take into account the type and degree of disability when evaluating candidates at the state level.
About the State Divyang Awards Scheme
The State Divyang Awards Scheme was introduced by the Gujarat government to encourage persons with disabilities to pursue employment and self-employment and achieve financial self-reliance. The scheme also extends recognition to employers who proactively provide job opportunities to Divyang individuals and to placement officers who facilitate their absorption into the workforce. This dual focus — on the employee and the enabler — distinguishes the scheme from purely individual-centric disability welfare programmes.
Notably, the scheme received 69 applications for the 2025 cycle, from which 32 awardees were selected — a conversion rate that signals both growing awareness of the scheme and a competitive evaluation process.
Officials Present at the Meeting
Senior officials in attendance included Labour, Skill Development and Employment Secretary Lochan Sehra, Commissioner for Divyang Persons V.J. Rajput, Director of Employment and Training A.K. Vastani, and Joint Secretary Tejas Soni. Non-government members Kaushalya Kunwarba Parmar and Kantibhai Parmar were also present. Assistant Director of the Employment Department Prashant Trivedi outlined the programme and delivered the vote of thanks.
The formal award presentation ceremony is expected to follow in the coming weeks, further spotlighting Gujarat's push to mainstream disability-inclusive employment across the state.
Point of View
The employer, and the placement officer — rather than limiting recognition to the individual with a disability alone. That structural thinking is sound, but the ₹10,000 cash incentive for awardees has not been revised in line with inflation, and its symbolic value risks overshadowing its material impact. With 69 applications for 32 slots, participation is still narrow relative to Gujarat's Divyang population; scaling outreach, especially to rural districts, will determine whether the scheme becomes a genuine inclusion driver or remains a ceremonial annual exercise.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gujarat State Divyang Awards Scheme?
The Gujarat State Divyang Awards Scheme recognises persons with disabilities who are engaged in employment or self-employment, employers who provide job opportunities to Divyang individuals, and placement officers who assist in their placement. It was introduced by the state government to encourage financial self-reliance among persons with disabilities.
How many awards were given under the scheme for 2025?
A total of 32 awards were finalised for 2025, selected from 69 applications. The awards span three categories: 23 for persons with disabilities in employment or self-employment, 8 for outstanding employers, and 1 for a placement officer.
What do the Divyang award winners receive?
Persons with disabilities recognised under the scheme receive a cash incentive of ₹10,000 along with a certificate. Employers and the placement officer are honoured with a shield and a certificate.
Who chaired the selection committee meeting?
The State Divyang Awards Selection Committee meeting was held in Gandhinagar under the virtual chairmanship of Labour, Skill Development and Employment Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya. The committee has 13 members from government and non-government sectors.
On what basis are the Divyang awards decided?
The awards are decided at the state level, taking into account the type and degree of disability of the applicant. The 13-member selection committee reviews all applications before finalising the awardees.
