Divyangjan Exempted FASTag New Rules (Oct 2026): 5 Year Validity, No Annual Renewal

From 2 October 2026, the Divyangjan exempted FASTag new rules replace the old annual renewal system with validity linked to your disability percentage. Tags issued to persons with 70 to 100 percent disability now stay valid for 5 years, while those with 40 to under 70 percent disability get 3 year validity. The tag itself is completely free, and the toll exemption at National Highway plazas continues as before.

What the Divyangjan Exempted FASTag New Rules Changed

Until now, every eligible Divyangjan vehicle owner had to renew their exempted FASTag every single year: repeat visits to the RTO or NHAI office, fresh paperwork, and long queues, all to keep a benefit the person was already entitled to.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has now revised the guidelines for the issuance and renewal of exempted FASTags for Divyangjan and PwD beneficiaries, and the revised framework came into effect on 2 October 2026. The aim is greater uniformity in how tags are issued across the country and fewer repeated formalities for eligible beneficiaries.

The headline change is that validity is no longer annual for everyone. It is now decided by the percentage of disability recorded in the beneficiary’s valid Disability Certificate, Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card, or other applicable records. After the validity period ends, the tag may be renewed, subject to continued eligibility and compliance with the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.

New Validity Slabs: 5 Years or 3 Years

Under the revised guidelines, there are exactly two validity slabs. Which one applies to you depends on the disability percentage on your certificate or UDID card:

A few practical points to keep in mind:

• The percentage that counts is the one written on your valid Disability Certificate or UDID card.
• Persons with less than 40 percent disability do not fall into either slab, because the benefit is tied to the recorded disability percentage.
• The exempted FASTag is a zero-transaction tag, so no money is deducted at toll plazas. It is issued free of charge by NHAI.

Who Is Eligible for the Exempted FASTag

Not every vehicle owned by a person with a disability qualifies automatically. Under the revised guidelines, the exempted FASTag is issued to two categories:

1. Vehicles specially designed and constructed for use by persons with physical disabilities. These are vehicles built or modified (for example, hand-controlled) so that a person with a physical disability can drive or travel in them.
2. Vehicles registered under the ownership type “Divyangjan”. The RC must carry the ownership type as Divyangjan, which is how NHAI and toll systems identify your vehicle as eligible.

The benefit applies to the exempted vehicle at National Highway toll plazas. This is completely different from the FASTag Annual Pass, which is a paid pass for ordinary private vehicle owners. The Divyangjan exempted FASTag is a toll-exemption scheme, and it costs nothing.

Documents You Need to Apply

Keep these documents ready before you apply:

• Valid Disability Certificate or UDID Card. The disability percentage on it decides whether you get 5 year or 3 year validity. A UDID card works best because it is verifiable online.
• Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC). The RC must show the ownership type as Divyangjan. If your RC still shows a regular ownership type, get it updated through your RTO first.
• Identity proof. Aadhaar card or PAN card, as required on the application form.
• Vehicle details. Registration number, chassis number and engine number, as printed on the RC.
• Applicant details. Name, address and contact information, exactly as per the RC and disability certificate.

Keep the disability percentage and all names consistent across documents; mismatches are the most common reason applications get delayed.

How to Apply and Where the Tag Is Issued

Exempted FASTags are issued through official NHAI and IHMCL (Indian Highways Management Company Limited) channels:

1. Get your RC in order. Confirm that your RC carries the ownership type as Divyangjan. If not, visit your RTO and get this corrected before applying.
2. Keep your Disability Certificate or UDID card valid. The tag’s validity is anchored to it, so renew the certificate before it expires.
3. Fill the exempted FASTag application. Use the official NHAI/IHMCL exempted FASTag process, fill in the applicant and vehicle details, and select the Divyangjan exemption category.
4. Submit documents and wait for verification. Upload the RC, disability certificate or UDID card, and identity proof. NHAI verifies eligibility, the disability percentage and the RC ownership type, then issues the zero-transaction tag.
5. Affix and activate. Stick the tag on the windscreen as instructed and confirm it is active before your first toll plaza crossing.

Do not buy an exempted tag from roadside sellers or unknown agents. Genuine exempted FASTags come only through official channels and are issued free of charge.

What Existing Holders Must Do

If you already hold an exempted FASTag issued under the old annual-renewal guidelines, here is what changes for you:

• No more annual renewal rush. Once your tag is renewed under the new guidelines, its validity will be set by your disability percentage: 5 years for 70 to 100 percent, 3 years for 40 to under 70 percent.
• Check your current tag’s validity. Tags issued before 2 October 2026 continue on their existing terms until they come up for renewal, when the new slabs apply.
• Keep your disability documents current. Because validity is now tied to the certificate, an expired Disability Certificate or UDID card can create trouble. Renew before it expires.
• Plan ahead for renewal. After 5 or 3 years, the tag can be renewed if you still meet the eligibility conditions under the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.

Toll-Exemption Rules to Know at the Plaza

A few practical rules will save you from surprises at the toll plaza:

• The tag is linked to one vehicle. The exempted FASTag belongs to the specific vehicle named in the application. Do not try to use it on another vehicle.
• Keep the tag active. A blocked, damaged or unreadable tag causes trouble at the lane. Unpaid toll-related dues can create administrative trouble elsewhere too, for example with NOC, fitness or permit processes, as explained in our guide on unpaid toll user fee consequences.
• The exemption applies at National Highway toll plazas. The scheme is administered under the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008. State or private toll roads outside that framework may follow their own rules.
• Misuse can end the benefit. Letting others misuse the vehicle for toll-free travel can lead to cancellation and action under the rules.

Frequently Asked Questions