National Career Service Diwali Mela: UPSC Facts

National Career Service explained for UPSC aspirants

National Career Service

National Career Service centres for persons with disabilities showcased their trainees’ products at a Diwali mela. The event connects vocational training with entrepreneurship, a topic relevant to social inclusion and employment.

Quick answer: National Career Service centres for persons with disabilities organised a Diwali mela featuring products from six centre locations. The centres function under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. India has 24 such centres; the mela offered trainees and alumni opportunities to interact with visitors and explore sales and market linkages.

Important for
Prelims
Disability inclusion and vocational training
Mains
GS Paper II
Centres nationwide
24
Mela representation
Six centre locations
Parent ministry
Labour and Employment

What are National Career Service centres for Divyang?

These centres provide vocational rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities across India. They work under the Directorate General of Employment (DGE) in the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Known as National Career Service Centres for Divyang (NCSC-DA), they offer guidance, training and placement assistance. In addition, they conduct outreach to connect persons with disabilities to their services.

Feature Key fact
Administrative authority DGE, Ministry of Labour and Employment
Number of centres 24 across India
Core purpose Vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities
Services Career counselling, vocational guidance, informal training, placement assistance and outreach

Why was the Diwali mela organised?

The mela showcased handmade products and business skills developed through centre training. It brought together work by trainees and alumni from Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Dehradun, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Exhibits included jute and cloth bags, candles, paintings, soaps, crochet products and electronic items. Moreover, stalls displayed embroidery, woodwork, dress-making and festive decorations.

Visitors could interact directly with the participants. Consequently, artisans could obtain feedback and explore sales, self-employment and market connections. The source does not specify the fair’s venue or date.

What training do the centres offer?

The centres provide informal vocational training in both craft-based and technical trades. For example, courses cover sewing, knitting, embroidery, woodwork and dress-making.

They also offer training in computer applications, electronics and general mechanics. Career counselling and vocational guidance help participants consider employment-oriented skills; in addition, the centres provide placement support.

Why does the mela matter?

The mela links skills training with potential buyers and opportunities for economic independence. It also draws attention to the quality and market potential of products made by persons with disabilities.

Labour and Employment Secretary Dr Chandra Bhushan Kumar highlighted skill development and the dignity of labour. Meanwhile, the ministry plans to expand the mela gradually into a larger national platform involving more centres.

For Prelims, distinguish the 24-centre national network from the six locations represented at this mela. Also note that the planned expansion is a future objective, not an accomplished outcome.

Source: Press Information Bureau, 30 October 2026

Punjab & Haryana PCS Angle

Punjab PCS and Haryana HCS General Studies may test disability inclusion, vocational training and the ministry responsible for these centres. Also distinguish national-level services from state-level implementation questions.

Prelims Practice Corner

Q1. Consider the following statements about NCSC-DA:
1. They function under the Directorate General of Employment.
2. They provide placement assistance to persons with disabilities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Show answer

Answer: (c), because the centres operate under the DGE and offer placement assistance.

Q2. How many of the following centre locations contributed products to the mela?
1. Dehradun
2. Bhubaneswar
3. Mumbai
4. Jaipur
Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Show answer

Answer: (c), because the first three locations were represented; Jaipur was not listed.

More practice questions

Q3. Consider the following pairs:
Service or activity — Associated with NCSC-DA
1. Career counselling — Yes
2. Informal vocational training — Yes
3. Monetary policy formulation — Yes
How many pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Show answer

Answer: (b), because counselling and training are centre services; monetary policy formulation is not.

Q4. Which ministry administers the Directorate General of Employment?

(a) Ministry of Labour and Employment
(b) Ministry of Finance
(c) Ministry of Education
(d) Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Show answer

Answer: (a), because the DGE functions under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Mains Practice Questions

Q1. How can vocational training and market linkages support economic inclusion of persons with disabilities? Discuss. (10 marks, GS Paper II)

Answer Structure

Intro: Introduce vocational rehabilitation through the NCSC-DA network.

Body: Discuss skills, counselling, placement assistance and market access; also consider accessibility barriers.

Conclusion: Link accessible training and sustained opportunities to economic inclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many National Career Service centres for Divyang are there?

There are 24 centres across India. In addition to training, they provide counselling and placement assistance.

Which ministry oversees NCSC-DA?

The Ministry of Labour and Employment oversees them. Specifically, they function under its Directorate General of Employment.

What was the purpose of the Diwali mela?

The mela showcased products and skills of trainees and alumni with disabilities. It also provided opportunities to meet visitors and explore market linkages.

Preparing for UPSC, PCS or HCS?

Talk to a mentor at Chetan Bharat Learning, Chandigarh. Free guidance on choosing the right exam and building a study plan.

Chat on WhatsAppCall 97793 53345

UPSC / IAS / PCS coaching in Chandigarh · Trusted by aspirants across Punjab & Haryana

No comments to show.

Leave a Reply