The Sant Surdas Scheme is one of Gujarat’s lesser-known welfare schemes — and one of the most impactful for families raising a child with severe disability. A mother near Ahmedabad shared her story last year. Her son has been 90% visually impaired since birth. Years of office visits, paperwork, rejections — nothing came through.
Then she applied for the Sant Surdas Scheme. Three months later — ₹1,000 every month, directly in her bank account. No chasing, no middlemen. “It pays for his therapy,” she said. “And knowing it comes every month — that itself feels like support.”
If you have a child with 80% or more disability in Gujarat — this guide covers everything you need to apply.
💡 Quick Answer: Sant Surdas Scheme is a Gujarat Government welfare initiative that provides ₹1,000 per month via DBT to children aged 0 to 17 years with 80% or more disability from BPL families. Apply at: 👉 esamajkalyan.gujarat.gov.in
What is the Sant Surdas Scheme?
The Sant Surdas Scheme is run by the Social Justice & Empowerment Department (સામાજિક ન્યાય અને અધિકારીતા વિભાગ) of the Government of Gujarat.
The scheme is named after Sant Surdas — the blind saint-poet whose devotion and poetry were unparalleled. The name itself reflects the spirit of the scheme: disability is not a weakness, it is a different kind of strength.
What the scheme provides:
- ₹1,000 per month — transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer)
- No middlemen — money goes directly to the family
- Regular monthly payment — consistent and reliable
This scheme specifically targets children in their developmental years, ensuring that financial constraints do not become an additional burden on families already dealing with a disabled child.
Eligibility — Who Can Apply?
Not everyone qualifies. Read these conditions carefully before applying.
✅ Must be a native of Gujarat (ગુજરાત) The applicant must be a permanent resident of Gujarat state.
✅ Age: 0 to 17 years The beneficiary (the disabled child) must be between 0 and 17 years of age.
✅ Disability: 80% or more The child must have a disability of 80% or above — or must be unable to move independently even with the help of artificial limbs.
✅ BPL Family The family must be registered in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list:
- Rural areas: Ministry of Rural Development BPL list
- Urban areas: Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation BPL list
- BPL score must be 20 or below
✅ Must have a Disability Card A disability identity card issued by the Gujarat state government is mandatory.
❌ Not eligible if:
- Not a permanent Gujarat resident
- Disability is below 80%
- BPL score is above 20
- Child is 18 years or older
⚡ Note: The BPL score limit of 20 is strict. Before applying, confirm your family’s BPL score from your local Gram Panchayat or Municipal office.
Documents Required
Keep these ready before starting the application — missing even one document can delay the process.
- 📄 Passport size photograph of the child
- 📄 Aadhaar Card of the child
- 📄 Caste Certificate from competent authority (if applicable)
- 📄 Disability Identity Card / Disability Certificate from District Civil Surgeon (જિલ્લા સિવિલ સર્જન) — must clearly mention disability percentage
- 📄 Proof of Age — any one of:
- School Leaving Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Medical Certificate
- 📄 BPL Certificate — confirming BPL score is 20 or below
- 📄 Proof of Residence — any one of:
- Ration Card
- Electricity Bill
- Driving License
- Aadhaar Card
- 📄 Bank Passbook — of the child or guardian (for DBT)
⚡ Important: The Disability Certificate must be issued by the District Civil Surgeon and must clearly state that the disability is 80% or above. If the certificate is old or does not mention the percentage clearly — get it updated before applying. This is the single most common reason for rejection.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Online Application
Step 1: Visit the Gujarat Social Justice Department portal 👉 esamajkalyan.gujarat.gov.in
Step 2: Find “Sant Surdas Scheme” on the homepage and click on it
Step 3: The application form will open — fill in all mandatory details carefully:
- Child’s full name
- Date of Birth
- Disability percentage
- BPL details
- Bank account details
Step 4: Upload all required documents — check the format and size limit shown on the portal
Step 5: Read and agree to the Terms & Conditions
Step 6: Click “Save Application”
Step 7: Submit the form and note down your Application Number — you will need this to track status later
Step 8: Print a copy of the submitted application — keep it safe for future reference
Offline Application
No internet access? Visit your nearest District Social Defence Office (જિલ્લા સામાજિક સુરક્ષા કચેરી). Collect the application form there, fill it in, and submit it along with all required documents.
Check Application Status
After applying, track your application here:
Log in or enter your Application Number to see the current status.
What the status stages mean:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Submitted | Application received |
| Under Verification | Documents being verified |
| Approved | Approved — payments will begin |
| Rejected | Check reason — reapply after fixing |
Sant Surdas Scheme vs IGNDPS — What is the Difference?
Many families confuse these two. Here is a clear comparison:
| Sant Surdas Scheme | IGNDPS (Central Govt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Gujarat Government | Central Government |
| For | Children 0–17 years | Adults 18–79 years |
| Disability | 80%+ | 80%+ |
| Monthly Amount | ₹1,000 | ₹300 |
| BPL Required | Yes | Yes |
| Available In | Gujarat only | All of India |
When the child turns 18 — Sant Surdas Scheme eligibility ends. Apply for Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) after that.
Official Links — All in One Place
| Task | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | esamajkalyan.gujarat.gov.in |
| myScheme Portal | myscheme.gov.in/schemes/sss-gujarat |
| Gujarat Social Justice Dept | sje.gujarat.gov.in |
| Disability Certificate (UDID) | swavlambancard.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much money does Sant Surdas Scheme give? Gujarat Government provides ₹1,000 per month directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through DBT. No cash — direct transfer only.
- Is this scheme only for Gujarat? Yes — Sant Surdas Scheme is specifically a Gujarat Government scheme. Other states have their own disability pension schemes with different names and amounts.
- What happens after the child turns 18? Eligibility under Sant Surdas Scheme ends at 18. After that, the family can apply for the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) — a central government scheme for adults with 80%+ disability.
- Where can I get the Disability Certificate? From the District Civil Surgeon (જિલ્લા સિવિલ સર્જન) of your district. Alternatively, apply for a UDID card at swavlambancard.gov.in — this is now accepted as disability proof.
- Application was rejected — what to do? The rejection reason will be shown on the portal. Most common reasons: BPL score above 20, disability certificate outdated or unclear, or documents incomplete. Fix the specific reason and reapply.
- Can two children from the same family both apply? Yes — if both children individually meet all eligibility criteria, separate applications can be submitted for each child.
- How long does approval take after applying? There is no fixed timeline officially stated. Generally, 2-4 months from submission to first payment. Track your status regularly on esamajkalyan.gujarat.gov.in.
Final Note
That mother near Ahmedabad — her son now receives ₹1,000 every month. It covers his therapy. And the consistency of knowing it will come — that matters as much as the amount itself.
Thousands of families across Gujarat are eligible for this scheme but have never applied simply because they did not know it existed.
If you know a family with a disabled child in Gujarat — share this article with them. One share can make a real difference in a child’s life.
Have a question about the application process? Drop it in the comments — we reply to every query.
For more Gujarat welfare scheme guides: Gujarat Government Schemes 2026
This information is based on official records from the Gujarat Social Justice & Empowerment Department and the myScheme government portal. Scheme eligibility and terms may be updated — always verify current details at esamajkalyan.gujarat.gov.in before applying.