Office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities

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Guidelines for evaluation and assessment of Mental illness and procedure for certification

1. Mental illness has been recognized as one of the disabilities under section 2 (i) of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. “Mental illness has been defined under Section 2 (q) of the said Act as any mental disorder other than mental retardation.
2. In order to prescribe guidelines for evaluation and assessment of mental illness and procedure for certification, a committee was constituted by the Department of Health, Government of India vide Order dated 6th August, 2001under the Chairmanship of Director General of Health Services on the basis of request made by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. The committee has submitted its report.
3. After having considered the report of the Committee, the undersigned is directed to convey the approval of the President to notify the guidelines for evaluation and assessment of mental illness and procedure for certification. Copy of the Report is enclosed herewith as ANNEXURE- A.
4. The minimum degree of disability should be 40% in order to be eligible for any concessions/benefits.
5. According to the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Rules, 1996 notified by the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and (2) of section 73 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (1 of 1996), authorities to give Disability Certificate will be a Medical Board duly constituted by the Central or the State Government. The Committee has recommended that certification of disability for the purpose of the Act may be carried out by a Medical Board comprising of the following members :

   a.	The Medical Superintendent/Principal/Director/Head of the Institute or his nominee	Chairperson
   b.	Psychiatrist	Member
   c.	Physician	Member

6. At least two of the members, including Chairperson of the Board must be present and sign the disability certificate.
7. The State Governments are, therefore, requested to constitute Medical Boards as indicated above immediately.
8. Specified test as indicated in ANNEXURE – A should be conducted by the medical board and recorded before a certificate is given.
9. The certificate should be valid for a period of five years for those whose disability is temporary and are below the age of 18 years. For those who acquire permanent disability, the validity can be shown as „permanent in the certificate‟.
10. The Director General of health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shall be the final authority, should there arise any controversy/doubt regarding the interpretation of the definitions/classifications/evaluation tests etc.

SMT. RAJWANT SANDHU, Jt. Secy.