National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID)

April 26, 2024

The Union Government is expected to roll out a new test designed by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) to diagnose Specific Learning Disabilities (SLDs) in adults in India.

About National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID):

  • NIEPID (formerly the National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped), established in 1984, is an autonomous body under the administrative control of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
  • It is dedicated to providing quality services to Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan) in the national interest. 
  • It is the apex body functioning for training, research, and surveys in the field of intellectual disability in the country.
  • The institute is headquartered in Secunderabad, Telangana, and has regional centres in Kolkata, Navi Mumbai and Noida.
  • It empowers persons with intellectual disabilities (Divyangjan) to access state-of-the-art rehabilitation interventions, educational, therapeutic, vocational, employment, leisure and social activities, sports, cultural programmes and full participation. 
  • Objectives
    • Human Resources Development
    • Research and Development
    • Development of models of care and rehabilitation.
    • Documentation and dissemination.
    • Consultancy services to voluntary organizations
    • Community Based Rehabilitation
    • Extension and Outreach programmes
  • To achieve optimum results, the institute has developed and introduced innovative structured training courses like Early Intervention, Rehabilitation Psychology, Special Education, and Disability Rehabilitation at the Masters level.
  • The Institute conducts international and national-level Conference/Seminars/Workshops on Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan) in partnership with leading voluntary organizations and parent associations.