1. Government of India with the assistance of USA, set up two Vocational Rehabilitation Centres for handicapped (renamed as National Career Service Centres for Differently Abled), one each at Mumbai and Hyderabad in 1968. Over the years more such Centres were set up and presently, there are 21 Centres functioning in various states at Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Patna, Puducherry, Ranchi, Srinagar, Thiruvanthapuram, Una and Vadodara. The Centre located at Vadodara caters to the rehabilitation needs of disabled women exclusively.

2. The erstwhile DGE&T was mandated with the task of improving the technical and vocational education in the country. Vocational rehabilitation of PwDs and those from weak social, economic and educational background remained a challenge especially for those that could not pursue formal technical or vocational education. The Vocational Rehabilitation Centres for Handicapped (presently renamed as NCSC-DAs) play an unique role in the process. These centres evaluate the residual capacities of persons with disabilities; assist them in the process of planning their career, preparing for obtaining and retaining the employment commensurate with their socio-psychological, physical and educational abilities. They also impart non-formal training in the trades best suited to their strengths and weaknesses in selected  trades. The rehabilitation services are also provided to the disabled living in rural areas at their door steps through outreach services viz. mobile camps and Job Fairs. Partnership with State Government agencies, leading NGO, Financial institutions, Corporate Sectors etc, are done to facilitate vocational rehabilitation services to PwDs.

3. OBJECTIVES of  NCSC-DAs:  NCSC-DA play the role of a multi disciplinary service centre with prime objective to (1) evaluate the residual capacities of PwDs and asses their suitability for various employment opportunities (2) provides vocational guidance and career counsellings (3) impart non-formal vocational training to those PwDs who are otherwise not suitable for formal mode of vocational training either due to severity of disabilities or inadequate educational qualification for formal mode of training (4) assists PwDs in the process of vocational rehabilitation through wage and self employment (5) extend outreach services through camps and job fairs (6) stimulate and promote  awareness and sensitise the PwDs on the facilities available through various agencies (7) coordinate and establish liaison with State/Central Government agencies, Corporate Sector, NGO, Financial Institution for accessing the benefits offered by these organizations.

4. Eight NCSC-DAs are housed in disabled friendly buildings (Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Kanpur, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati and Agartala) owned by DGE. The NCSC-DAs are being aligned to become National Career Service centres under the NCS Project. 5 Model Career Centres have been established in NCSC-DAs under the NCS Project.

Physical progress of NCSC-DAs  for last three years: