Policy Update
Viksha Adhinarayanan
Background
The rights and dignity of persons with disabilities (PwDs) have increasingly become a focus of India’s welfare policies, especially after the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Among the initiatives designed to provide holistic support, the GHARAUNDA Scheme (Group Home for Adults) was launched in 2015 by the National Trust under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The scheme recognizes that many adults with disabilities, particularly those with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and multiple disabilities require lifelong residential care and support systems that go beyond family structures.
The scheme’s name, GHARAUNDA (meaning “nest” or “home”), symbolizes its mission to create safe, inclusive, and supportive living environments. It aims to provide assured lifelong shelter, care, and rehabilitation services for PwDs, while also offering respite care for families. The scheme is part of the National Trust’s broader mandate to empower persons with disabilities and ensure their integration into society.
Functioning
The GHARAUNDA Scheme functions through partnerships between the National Trust and registered organizations. These organizations establish group homes that provide residential facilities, medical care, vocational training, and recreational activities. Each home is designed to accommodate a limited number of residents, ensuring personalized attention and community living. Eligible organisations register online, undergo verification and receive financial assistance from the National Trust to establish and maintain group homes. In 2018, GHARAUNDA was integrated with the Samarth scheme, strengthening residential support and monitoring.
According to the National Trust guidelines, the scheme provides financial support for setting up and maintaining group homes, including infrastructure, staff salaries, and medical facilities. Families contribute a nominal fee, while the government subsidizes the majority of expenses. The scheme also emphasizes respite care, allowing families temporary relief while ensuring their wards are cared for in a safe environment.
The India Autism Center (2025) notes that GHARAUNDA homes are structured to provide not only shelter but also opportunities for skill development, social interaction, and therapeutic interventions. The scheme integrates with other welfare programs, ensuring residents have access to healthcare, education, and vocational opportunities.
1. One-time Setup Cost – ₹2.90 lakh
Provided to registered organisations to establish residential centres. It covers basic infrastructure, furniture, equipment and other essential facilities.
2. Monthly Recurring Cost – ₹5,000 per beneficiary
Provided as monthly reimbursement to meet expenses such as food, accommodation, healthcare, caregiving and maintenance. Funding is subject to beneficiary eligibility and the prescribed LIG criteria.
3. Crisis Fund – ₹5 lakh
Reserved for unexpected emergencies affecting residential centres. Its utilisation requires approval from the State Government, and the fund is not replenished once used.
4. Work-centre Setup Assistance – ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh
Provided to organisations establishing vocational and employment-oriented work centres for persons with disabilities. The centre must have at least 10 trained beneficiaries to qualify.
Performance
Over the past decade, GHARAUNDA has expanded across several states, with multiple group homes established under the scheme. PIB press releases (2024–25) highlight the government’s commitment to scaling up residential facilities and strengthening monitoring mechanisms. The scheme has provided thousands of PwDs with secure residential support, reducing dependence on families and preventing neglect.
However, performance evaluations reveal challenges. A study published in the International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR, 2023) found that while GHARAUNDA homes have improved quality of life for many residents, gaps remain in infrastructure, staffing, and specialized care.
Independent reports also highlight regional disparities. Urban centers have seen better implementation, while rural areas lag behind due to lack of awareness and institutional capacity. Families often face bureaucratic hurdles in accessing the scheme, and monitoring mechanisms are not uniformly effective.
Impact
GHARAUNDA is considered to be and has been significant in terms of providing dignity and security to the PwDs. For many families, the scheme has offered relief from the constant anxiety of lifelong caregiving. Residents benefit from structured routines, therapeutic interventions, and opportunities for socialization. The scheme has also contributed to reducing stigma by promoting community‑based living models.
Yet, the impact is always viewed unevenly for example The India Autism Center blog (2025) mentions that while the GHARAUNDA homes provide essential support, they also often lack in specialized staff training in behavioral therapy and advanced medical care. Therefore, this limits the scope of the rehabilitation and reintegration. Moreover, the financial sustainability of group homes remains a concern, with many relying heavily on government subsidies and struggling to mobilize community support.
Emerging Issues
Several issues have emerged from the functioning and evaluation of the GHARAUNDA Scheme:
- Infrastructure gaps: Many group homes, especially in rural districts, lack adequate facilities such as accessible housing, medical units, and recreational spaces. This uneven infrastructure means that while urban centers see relatively well‑equipped homes, rural PwDs remain underserved.
- Case Study – Infrastructure Gaps (NILERD Evaluation, 2020):
A field survey of GHARAUNDA centres found that 12.5% lacked adequate living infrastructure, 10.4% lacked hygienic toilets and bathrooms, and 8.3% lacked safe drinking water. This highlights the continuing infrastructure gaps despite government financial assistance.
- Shortage of trained staff: Homes often struggle to recruit and retain therapists, counselors, and medical professionals. With caregiver‑to‑resident ratios frequently exceeding recommended standards, personalized care and rehabilitation are compromised.
- Financial sustainability concerns: The scheme relies heavily on government subsidies, with limited community or CSR contributions. This dependence makes homes vulnerable to budget fluctuations and raises questions about long‑term viability.
- Limited vocational training opportunities: Only a fraction of homes provide structured skill development programs. This restricts residents’ chances of achieving economic independence and reinforces dependency on welfare support.
- Regional disparities in implementation: Urban centers perform better due to stronger institutional capacity and awareness, while rural areas lag behind. This uneven distribution creates inequity in access to care and rehabilitation.
- Weak monitoring mechanisms: Oversight remains inconsistent, with irregular audits and limited use of digital monitoring tools.
These issues highlight a critical paradox where the GHARAUNDA has expanded coverage but struggles with depth and consistency. Thus, without stronger infrastructure, skilled staff, diversified financing, and robust monitoring, the scheme risks becoming uneven in impact, benefiting the urban PwDs while leaving rural populations vulnerable to neglect and exclusion.
Suggestions
To address these issues, several measures can be considered:
- Strengthen infrastructure and ensure uniform standards across states.
- Invest in training programs for caregivers, therapists, and medical staff.
- Develop sustainable financing models by encouraging community participation and CSR support.
- Expand vocational training tailored to local industry needs, enabling residents to achieve partial economic independence.
- Enhance monitoring through digital dashboards and independent audits.
- Promote awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage families to utilize the scheme.
Measures to Address Infrastructure Gaps
- 1. Increase Financial Assistance: Revise the existing grants to account for rising construction, food and maintenance costs, enabling organisations to maintain better facilities.
- 2. Regular Infrastructure Audits: Conduct annual inspections of residential centres to identify deficiencies in sanitation, drinking water, accessibility and safety, ensuring timely improvements.
- 3. Public–Private Partnerships (PPP): Encourage CSR funding from private companies to support construction, renovation and disability-friendly facilities, particularly in rural areas.
- 4. Strengthen Monitoring Mechanisms: Introduce digital monitoring and beneficiary feedback systems to track infrastructure quality and ensure that government funds are properly utilised.
Way Forward
The GHARAUNDA Scheme represents a crucial step in India’s journey toward inclusive welfare for persons with disabilities. However, its success depends on addressing systemic challenges and ensuring sustainability. A way forward involves integrating GHARAUNDA with broader disability rights frameworks, strengthening partnerships with civil society, and expanding coverage to underserved regions.
Digital monitoring systems can enhance transparency, while vocational training and community engagement can ensure long‑term sustainability. The scheme must also evolve to provide specialized medical and therapeutic care, recognizing the diverse needs of PwDs.
Ultimately, GHARAUNDA embodies the vision of a compassionate and inclusive India, where persons with disabilities are assured dignity, security, and opportunities for growth. Strengthening residential support systems is not just a welfare measure—it is a moral imperative to uphold human rights and social justice.
References
National Trust. (2015). GHARAUNDA Scheme guidelines. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. https://nationaltrust.nic.in/gharaunda-scheme/
National Trust. (2015). GHARAUNDA official page. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. https://nationaltrust.nic.in/gharaunda/
India Autism Center. (2025). GHARAUNDA Scheme: Strengthening residential support systems for persons with disabilities. India Autism Center Blog. Retrieved from https://indiaautismcenter.org/blog/gharaunda-scheme/
Press Information Bureau. (2024–2025). Government initiatives to expand GHARAUNDA residential facilities. PIB. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2042009®=48&lang=2
International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews. (2023). Evaluation of GHARAUNDA homes for persons with disabilities. IJRAR. https://ijrar.org/papers/IJRAR23C2571.pdf
Acknowledgement
The author extends sincere thanks to the IMPRI team for their guidance.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organization.
About the Author:
Viksha A is currently pursuing a Master’s in International Relations at Loyola College, Chennai, and serves as a Research & Editorial Intern at IMPRI. She is passionate about public policy research and writing, with interests in governance, social impact, and contributing to evidence-based policy discussions through research and informed analysis.
Name of the Reviewers:
Ashi Verma and Madhuritha D
