How to Apply for a Disability Identity Card in Nepal
A bilingual guide to Nepal's disability identity card application: where to apply, how the four card categories work, which records to prepare, what happens when classification is unclear, and how to challenge a ward-level refusal under the reviewed model procedure.
Independent guide, not an official website
Nepal Docs Guide is not affiliated with the Government of Nepal. This guide helps you prepare, but official portals and offices control final rules, fees, forms, and timelines.
Quick answer
Apply at the ward office for the applicant's permanent address using the local level's current prescribed form and supporting records. Nepal's model and local procedures classify disability identity cards by functional severity into A/red, B/blue, C/yellow, and D/white; the responsible local authority decides the category. स्थायी ठेगाना भएको वडा कार्यालयमा स्थानीय तहको हालको फाराम र प्रमाणसहित आवेदन दिनुहोस्; कार्डको वर्ग आफैं घोषणा नगरी आधिकारिक मूल्याङ्कन प्रक्रिया पूरा गर्नुहोस्।
Eligibility
- A Nepali citizen with a disability applying through the ward office of their permanent address under the applicable local procedure
- A parent or guardian preparing an application for a child or a person who cannot complete the process alone
- An applicant ready to provide records describing identity, permanent address, age, disability, functional limitation, and the supporting evidence required by the local level
- An applicant willing to use medical, specialist, or disability-organization assessment when the ward or local coordination committee needs help classifying a condition
Required documents checklist
- □ The current prescribed disability identity-card application form from the applicant's ward or local level
- □ Birth-registration certificate or citizenship certificate used as the identity and age basis under the reviewed procedure
- □ A certified written record or copy showing the applicant's name, permanent address, age, and disability details
- □ Passport-size photograph; the reviewed procedure asks, where possible, for a photo that makes the disability visible
- □ A description of disability severity, affected function, and limitations in daily activities
- □ Any medical report, specialist opinion, prior assessment, or other evidence requested for a disability that is not directly observable or is difficult to classify
- □ Guardian or parent details and authority where the applicant is a child or needs a representative
- □ The number of copies required by the applicant's local procedure; the reviewed model adopted by Birendranagar specifies two sets
Step-by-step process
- Open or contact the official website or office of the applicant's municipality/rural municipality and obtain its current disability identity-card form and adopted procedure.
- Apply through the ward office for the applicant's permanent address. The applicant, parent, or guardian may submit under the reviewed procedure.
- Complete the form using the same name, date of birth, permanent address, and identity details shown on the birth-registration or citizenship record.
- Attach the current photograph, disability description, daily-function limitations, and supporting records requested by the local level. Do not self-diagnose or alter a medical report to fit a preferred card colour.
- Ask the ward to check completeness and keep a dated receipt or inward-registration number for the application.
- The ward reviews the evidence and sends a recommendation to the local level. Where classification is difficult, the ward or local coordination committee may seek a doctor, specialist, or disability-organization opinion.
- The local authority or coordination committee determines the category under the applicable law and procedure, then the local level issues the identity card.
- Compare the issued card's name, date of birth, address, category, card number, and photograph with the approved record before leaving.
- If the ward says it cannot recommend the application, request the reason in writing and use the review route in the adopted local procedure. The reviewed model allows an application to the local level within 15 days of the notice.
- Use a separate guide or the responsible programme's official rule for any allowance, health service, transport concession, scholarship, or other benefit. Possessing a card does not by itself prove eligibility for every programme.
Fees and timelines
- The reviewed official model/adopted procedure states that the local level provides the disability identity card free of charge. Confirm whether the local office has any lawful ancillary copy, photo, assessment, or replacement cost before paying.
- The reviewed Birendranagar procedure says a complete ward application should be forwarded with recommendation within a maximum of three days, or the applicant should be informed of missing evidence within three days. Treat this as model/local-procedure evidence, not a guaranteed nationwide completion time.
- The same reviewed procedure allows an applicant dissatisfied with a ward's refusal to apply to the local level within 15 days after receiving the notice. Check the applicant's own municipality's adopted rule before relying on that deadline.
- No universal end-to-end issuance time was found in the reviewed national ministry page. Committee scheduling and the need for additional assessment can affect completion.
Common mistakes
- Applying at a temporary-residence ward without first checking the permanent-address rule
- Using different spellings or dates across the form, birth registration, citizenship, and medical records
- Treating a diagnosis alone as the card category when the official framework considers functional severity and daily-life limitation
- Demanding a particular card colour based only on a benefit expected from another programme
- Assuming every municipality uses the same form, copy count, assessment calendar, or internal desk
- Submitting only a photograph without the written disability and daily-function description
- Failing to keep a dated receipt, copy of the application, or written refusal
- Paying an intermediary for a card described as free in the reviewed procedure
- Posting medical records, identity numbers, or a disability card publicly while asking for help
- Assuming the disability identity card automatically approves every allowance or service
Disability identity card in Nepal at a glance
| Question | Verified guidance |
|---|---|
| Where to start | Ward office for the applicant's permanent address, under the local level's current procedure |
| Who may submit | The applicant or, where appropriate, a parent or guardian |
| Who determines the category | The responsible local authority/coordination process—not the applicant or NepalDocsGuide |
| Four groups | A/red, B/blue, C/yellow, and D/white, based on functional severity |
| Fee | Free under the reviewed model/adopted procedure; verify any claimed ancillary charge |
| National completion time | No single end-to-end guarantee found in the reviewed national ministry page |
| Appeal clue | The reviewed model allows application to the local level after a ward refusal; verify the local adopted deadline |
| Last verified | August 1, 2026 |
This page does not duplicate the disability-allowance guide
This guide explains how to obtain the disability identity card itself, including classification and ward/local-level review. An allowance application is a separate programme with its own eligibility, enrollment, renewal, and payment rules. The card can be evidence for a programme, but it is not an automatic approval for every benefit.
The four disability identity-card groups
| Group | Colour | Official severity label | Plain-language preparation note |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (क) | Red | Profound/complete disability (पूर्ण अशक्त) | Prepare evidence describing the very high level of support needed for daily activities |
| B (ख) | Blue | Severe disability (अति अशक्त) | Prepare evidence of substantial and continuing support, mobility, communication, or functional needs |
| C (ग) | Yellow | Moderate disability (मध्यम) | Prepare evidence showing functional limitation and the role of assistive devices or adaptations |
| D (घ) | White | Mild/general disability (सामान्य) | Prepare evidence of the impairment even where many daily activities are performed independently |
Do not self-select a card category
The legal and model-procedure criteria contain detailed functional descriptions. A diagnosis, photograph, or expected allowance is not enough to choose a colour. Submit truthful evidence and let the responsible authority use the official classification process.
Application process from ward to card
- 1Get the current form and procedure from the permanent-address local level.
- 2Match the application to birth-registration or citizenship details.
- 3Describe the disability, severity, affected functions, and daily-activity limitations accurately.
- 4Attach the photograph and supporting records requested locally.
- 5Submit through the permanent-address ward and keep dated proof.
- 6Respond to any request for missing evidence or specialist assessment.
- 7Allow the ward/local coordination process to determine the official category.
- 8Check every identity and category field on the issued card.
- 9Request written reasons and use the local review route if a recommendation is refused.
What to do in common difficult cases
The goal is a correct, supported classification—not a fast but inaccurate card.
- 1Disability is not directly visible: ask which doctor, specialist, assessment, or coordination-committee evidence the local level accepts.
- 2Applicant cannot attend collection: the reviewed procedure permits collection through a family member, guardian, or local official in certain profound/severe cases with ward recommendation.
- 3Ward says evidence is incomplete: ask for the exact missing item in writing and resubmit a complete set.
- 4Ward refuses recommendation: request the written notice and check the local procedure's review route and deadline.
- 5Card details are wrong: report the mismatch before using the card for another programme and ask for the approved correction route.
- 6Card is lost or damaged: use the local duplicate-card procedure; do not present an edited scan as a valid card.
Protect health and identity information
Medical reports, citizenship or birth-registration records, photographs, and disability-card numbers are sensitive. Share them only through the responsible official process. NepalDocsGuide never needs these records to explain the application.
National model versus local adopted procedure
The Ministry publishes a model disability identity-card distribution procedure, while municipalities and rural municipalities apply their adopted local process. The reviewed Birendranagar procedure provides concrete evidence for the permanent-address ward route, supporting records, four categories, free issuance, handling of unclear classifications, ward-to-local-level referral, and review after refusal. Applicants must check their own local level's current form and rule because desks, forms, copy counts, and schedules can differ.
नेपालीमा छोटो उत्तर
अपाङ्गता परिचयपत्रका लागि आवेदकको स्थायी ठेगाना भएको वडा कार्यालयबाट प्रक्रिया सुरु गर्नुहोस्। स्थानीय तहको हालको फाराम लिनुहोस्, जन्मदर्ता वा नागरिकताको विवरणसँग नाम, जन्ममिति र ठेगाना मिलाउनुहोस्, फोटो तथा अपाङ्गताको अवस्था र दैनिक क्रियाकलापमा परेको सीमितताको विवरण राख्नुहोस्। वर्ग क/रातो, ख/नीलो, ग/पहेँलो वा घ/सेतो कुन हुने भन्ने निर्णय आवेदकले होइन, आधिकारिक मूल्याङ्कन प्रक्रियाले गर्छ।
अपाङ्गता परिचयपत्रका चार वर्ग
| वर्ग | रङ | आधिकारिक गम्भीरता | के बुझ्ने |
|---|---|---|---|
| क | रातो | पूर्ण अशक्त | दैनिक जीवनका काममा अत्यधिक वा निरन्तर सहयोग आवश्यक पर्ने अवस्थासँग सम्बन्धित आधिकारिक मापदण्ड |
| ख | नीलो | अति अशक्त | हिँडडुल, सञ्चार वा दैनिक काममा धेरै/निरन्तर सहयोग आवश्यक पर्ने आधिकारिक मापदण्ड |
| ग | पहेँलो | मध्यम | सहायक सामग्री वा अनुकूलनसहित कार्य गर्न सकिने तर स्पष्ट कार्यगत सीमा रहने आधिकारिक मापदण्ड |
| घ | सेतो | सामान्य | धेरै दैनिक काम आफैं गर्न सकिए पनि प्रमाणित अपाङ्गता वा कार्यगत सीमा रहने आधिकारिक मापदण्ड |
नेपाली आवेदन चरणहरू
- 1स्थायी ठेगाना भएको नगरपालिका/गाउँपालिकाको आधिकारिक फाराम र कार्यविधि लिनुहोस्।
- 2जन्मदर्ता वा नागरिकताको अभिलेखसँग व्यक्तिगत विवरण मिलाउनुहोस्।
- 3अपाङ्गताको प्रकृति, गम्भीरता र दैनिक काममा परेको सीमितता सत्य रूपमा लेख्नुहोस्।
- 4फोटो र स्थानीय तहले मागेको प्रमाण संलग्न गर्नुहोस्।
- 5वडा कार्यालयमा आवेदन बुझाएर दर्ता नम्बर वा मितिसहितको प्रमाण राख्नुहोस्।
- 6वर्गीकरण अस्पष्ट भए चिकित्सक, विशेषज्ञ वा स्थानीय समन्वय समितिले मागेको मूल्याङ्कन पूरा गर्नुहोस्।
- 7स्थानीय तहले निर्धारण गरेको वर्ग र परिचय विवरण कार्डमा ठीक छ कि छैन जाँच्नुहोस्।
- 8वडाले सिफारिस नगरे लिखित कारण माग्नुहोस् र स्थानीय कार्यविधिको पुनरावलोकन/निवेदन प्रक्रिया प्रयोग गर्नुहोस्।
- 9भत्ता वा अन्य सुविधा चाहिएको भए सो कार्यक्रमको छुट्टै आधिकारिक योग्यता र आवेदन नियम जाँच्नुहोस्।
नेपाली कागजात जाँचसूची
- स्थायी ठेगाना पुष्टि भएको
- हालको स्थानीय फाराम लिएको
- जन्मदर्ता वा नागरिकता तयार भएको
- नाम, जन्ममिति र ठेगाना सबै अभिलेखमा मिलेको
- पासपोर्ट साइज फोटो तयार भएको
- अपाङ्गता र दैनिक कार्य सीमाको विवरण तयार भएको
- आवश्यक मेडिकल/विशेषज्ञ प्रमाण तयार भएको
- अभिभावक वा संरक्षकको विवरण आवश्यक भए तयार भएको
- कति प्रति चाहिन्छ स्थानीय कार्यालयबाट पुष्टि भएको
- बुझाएको आवेदनको प्रतिलिपि र दर्ता प्रमाण राख्ने व्यवस्था भएको
नेपाली गोपनीयता चेतावनी
मेडिकल रिपोर्ट, जन्मदर्ता/नागरिकता, फोटो र परिचयपत्र नम्बर सार्वजनिक समूहमा पोस्ट नगर्नुहोस्। वर्ग वा भत्ता मिलाइदिन्छु भन्ने अनधिकृत व्यक्तिलाई पैसा वा सक्कल कागजात नदिनुहोस्।
NepalDocsGuide is an independent information website. It is not a municipality, ward office, medical assessment body, or Government of Nepal authority, and it cannot decide a disability category or approve a benefit.
Office and portal links
Printable checklist
How to Apply for a Disability Identity Card in Nepal
- Applicant's permanent-address ward confirmed
- Current local form and adopted procedure obtained
- Birth-registration or citizenship record ready
- Name, date of birth, and permanent address matched across records
- Passport-size photograph ready
- Written disability and daily-function description ready
- Medical/specialist evidence ready when relevant
- Parent or guardian details ready when applicable
- Required copy count confirmed
- Receipt and copy of the submitted application planned
- Written reason and review deadline requested if refused
FAQ
Official sources
Use these references for final confirmation before applying. Nepal Docs Guide is independent and does not replace official instructions.
- Model Procedure for Distribution of Identity Cards to Persons with Disabilities, 2075
Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security
Confirms the national ministry's publication of the model disability identity-card distribution procedure.
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2074
Nepal Law Commission
Provides the governing national legal framework for disability rights, classification, identity cards, and local coordination.
- Procedure for Distribution of Identity Cards to Persons with Disabilities, 2075
Birendranagar Municipality
Supports the permanent-address ward route, two-copy model, identity and functional evidence, four categories, handling of unclear cases, free issuance, ward-response timing, review route, collection by a representative in qualifying cases, and duplicate-card process.
- MoFAGA publication of the model disability identity-card procedure
Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration
Provides an additional central-government copy of the model procedure used for local implementation.
Need official confirmation?
If your case involves corrections, deadlines, legal use, foreign submission, or a rejected application, contact the relevant official office before paying fees or submitting documents.
Author
Nepal Docs Guide Editorial Desk
Citizen services research team
The editorial desk prepares independent, plain-language summaries from cited official sources and reader correction reports. It does not claim government affiliation, professional credentials, or field testing.
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