The Government of India has revised guidelines governing exempted FASTags for eligible Divyangjan and persons with disabilities (PwD), changing the validity period from annual renewal to longer periods based on the disability percentage recorded in official documents.
New validity periods
Under the revised guidelines, vehicles specially designed and constructed for people with physical disabilities and vehicles registered under the ownership category ‘Divyangjan’ can receive exempted FASTags subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.
Beneficiaries with a disability percentage of 70% to 100% will receive an exempted FASTag with five-year validity. Those with a disability percentage of 40% to less than 70% will receive validity for three years.
Annual renewal requirement changed
The revised system replaces the earlier annual renewal process with a three-year or five-year validity period, depending on the disability percentage recorded in the beneficiary’s official documentation.
Once the validity period expires, the exempted FASTag can be renewed if the beneficiary continues to meet the eligibility requirements and applicable provisions under the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.
Official documents required
The validity period is linked to the disability percentage recorded in documents such as a valid Disability Certificate or Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card, subject to the requirements specified under the guidelines.
The revised process is intended to provide greater consistency in issuing and renewing exempted FASTags while reducing the need for eligible beneficiaries to complete the renewal process every year.
Separate from the FASTag Annual Pass
The Divyangjan exempted FASTag facility is separate from the FASTag Annual Pass available for eligible non-commercial vehicles. The two facilities have different eligibility conditions and purposes.
The revised guidelines for exempted FASTags are effective from October 2, 2026. Eligible beneficiaries can continue to use the exemption subject to the validity of their FASTag and compliance with the applicable rules.