PRASHAST App 2026: Complete Guide for Teachers, Headmasters and Special Educators – Disability Screening in Schools

PRASHAST App 2026 – Overview

The PRASHAST App (Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool) is an important digital initiative for promoting inclusive education in Indian schools.

Developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), PRASHAST provides schools with a structured mechanism for the initial screening of children who may require further assessment for disabilities recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

PRASHAST is designed primarily for use by school teachers, Headmasters/Principals and Special Educators.

The application supports early identification and referral so that children requiring additional assessment and support are not overlooked.

What is PRASHAST?

PRASHAST stands for:

Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool

It is a school-based disability screening tool developed by NCERT.

The tool covers the 21 disability conditions recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

One of the major reasons for introducing PRASHAST is that all disability conditions are not easily or visibly identifiable. Some children may experience difficulties related to learning, communication, hearing, vision, behaviour, development or other areas that may require professional assessment.

PRASHAST enables teachers to systematically observe students and identify those who may need further screening.

Important Point: PRASHAST is a Screening Tool, Not a Diagnostic Tool

Teachers and parents should clearly understand that PRASHAST should not be treated as a medical diagnosis.

A student being identified during PRASHAST screening does not automatically mean that the child has a particular disability.

The purpose of the screening is to identify children who may require further assessment by appropriate professionals or experts.

Therefore, the tool should not be used to label children.

Objectives of the PRASHAST App

The major objectives of PRASHAST include:

Early identification of children who may require further assessment.
Providing a uniform school-level screening mechanism.
Covering all 21 disability conditions recognised under the RPwD Act, 2016.
Enabling regular teachers to participate in initial screening.
Involving Special Educators in further validation and screening.
Supporting appropriate referral and intervention.
Facilitating school-level reporting.
Supporting disability assessment and certification processes wherever applicable.
Strengthening inclusive education in schools.

Who Developed the PRASHAST App?

PRASHAST has been developed by NCERT as part of efforts to strengthen equitable and inclusive education.

The initiative is associated with the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT, under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

It supports the broader goals of:

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

Right to Education Act, 2009

Samagra Shiksha

and the goal of providing equitable and inclusive education to every child.

Who Can Use the PRASHAST App?

The major stakeholders involved in PRASHAST implementation are:

1. Headmaster / Principal

The Headmaster or Principal plays an important administrative and supervisory role in the PRASHAST screening process.

The school head facilitates school onboarding and coordinates the participation of teachers and Special Educators.

The Headmaster/Principal is also responsible for ensuring that screening activities are carried out systematically and that required school-level information and reports are maintained.

2. Regular / Class Teachers

Regular teachers play the most important role in Part 1 screening.

Teachers interact with students every day and therefore have an opportunity to observe children's learning, behaviour, communication, physical functioning and classroom participation over a period of time.

Teachers complete the initial screening checklist based on their observations.

3. Special Educators

Special Educators play the major role in Part 2 screening.

Students shortlisted through Part 1 are examined further using the detailed Part 2 screening process.

The Special Educator validates the initial observations and helps identify cases that may require further professional assessment or referral.

PRASHAST Two-Level Screening Process

One of the most important features of PRASHAST is its two-part screening mechanism.

PRASHAST Part 1 – Screening by Regular Teachers

Part 1 is primarily meant for regular/class teachers.

Teachers observe students and answer the screening questions based on observable characteristics and behaviour.

The objective is to identify students who may require further screening.

Teachers are not expected to make a medical diagnosis.

After completion of Part 1, students requiring further assessment can move to the next stage.

PRASHAST Part 2 – Screening by Special Educators

Part 2 is a more detailed screening stage.

It is intended primarily for Special Educators and/or experts identified by the school Headmaster/Principal.

The Special Educator validates the observations recorded during Part 1 and conducts a more detailed assessment using the prescribed checklist.

The official PRASHAST guidance recommends observing the child over a considerable period and in different situations before completing the detailed screening.

Why is PRASHAST Important for Schools?

Some disabilities can be easily noticed, whereas others may remain unidentified for several years.

For example, a child experiencing learning difficulties may sometimes be incorrectly considered weak in studies or inattentive.

Similarly, certain difficulties relating to communication, hearing, vision, behaviour or development may require systematic observation.

Early screening allows schools to identify such concerns and initiate appropriate referral and support.

PRASHAST therefore helps schools move towards an education system in which every child's individual learning and support needs receive attention.

Key Features of PRASHAST

Important features of the PRASHAST system include:

School-based screening.
Coverage of 21 disability conditions under the RPwD Act, 2016.
Structured screening checklist.
Two-stage screening mechanism.
Part 1 screening by regular teachers.
Part 2 screening by Special Educators.
School-level reporting.
Teacher Sensitization Module.
Support for referral and further assessment.
Participation of Headmasters, teachers and Special Educators.
Digital/mobile-based implementation.
Focus on early identification and inclusive education.

Teacher Sensitization Module

The latest PRASHAST application also includes a Teacher Sensitization Module.

The module is intended to prepare and support teachers in carrying out the PRASHAST screening process effectively.

Teachers should understand the purpose and procedure of the screening before starting student-level screening.

Proper sensitisation is particularly important because the process deals with children who may require additional educational or professional support.

PRASHAST School-Level Implementation – Step-by-Step Process

Although the exact workflow may be updated by the competent authorities, the general PRASHAST implementation process involves:

Step 1: School onboarding/registration on the PRASHAST platform.

Step 2: Headmaster/Principal coordinates the school-level implementation.

Step 3: Teachers and Special Educators complete the required orientation/training.

Step 4: Regular teachers conduct Part 1 screening of students using the prescribed checklist.

Step 5: Students requiring further screening are shortlisted through the system.

Step 6: Special Educators undertake Part 2 screening and validate the observations.

Step 7: Cases requiring further professional assessment are identified for appropriate referral.

Step 8: School/class-level information and reports are generated and used by the competent educational authorities as prescribed.

Step 9: Eligible children may subsequently receive appropriate assessment, certification, intervention and educational support through the relevant government mechanisms.

Role of Teachers in PRASHAST

Teachers should:

Complete prescribed training/orientation before screening.
Observe students carefully.
Avoid assumptions and stereotypes.
Record observations objectively.
Complete Part 1 screening accurately.
Maintain confidentiality and dignity of children.
Coordinate with the Headmaster and Special Educator.
Avoid declaring or labelling a child as having a disability solely on the basis of initial screening.
Facilitate further screening wherever required.

Role of Headmasters and Principals

Headmasters/Principals should ensure:

Proper school onboarding.
Teacher participation in required training.
Assignment/verification of relevant users as prescribed.
Completion of Part 1 screening.
Coordination with Special Educators for Part 2.
Proper maintenance and submission of school-level information.
Appropriate follow-up for students requiring further assessment.
Confidentiality and respectful handling of student information.

Role of Special Educators

Special Educators are expected to:

Review cases shortlisted through Part 1.
Validate teachers' observations.
Conduct Part 2 screening.
Observe children carefully in different situations.
Identify cases requiring professional assessment.
Support teachers and Headmasters in understanding children's educational needs.
Facilitate appropriate referral and intervention.

PRASHAST and Disability Certification

PRASHAST can help schools identify children who may require further assessment.

Where appropriate, screening data can support subsequent assessment and certification processes under the applicable government procedures.

However, PRASHAST screening itself should not be confused with disability certification.

Formal disability certification is undertaken through the competent authorities and prescribed assessment procedures.

PRASHAST and UDID

Students who are formally assessed and certified as persons with disabilities may be eligible for a Unique Disability ID (UDID) and related benefits, subject to applicable rules and procedures.

The official PRASHAST portal also provides information connecting users to student-support resources, including the UDID system.

Benefits of PRASHAST for Students

PRASHAST can contribute to:

Early identification of support needs.
Timely referral.
Better classroom support.
Appropriate educational interventions.
Access to professional assessment.
Improved coordination between teachers, Special Educators and parents.
Access to eligible government schemes and accommodations after appropriate assessment/certification.
Reduction in the possibility of children with hidden disabilities remaining unidentified.

Benefits for Teachers

PRASHAST gives teachers a structured framework for observing students.

Instead of relying only on general impressions, teachers can use a standardised checklist to identify possible concerns and refer students for further screening.

It also helps improve teachers' awareness of inclusive education and the diverse educational needs of children.

PRASHAST and Inclusive Education

Inclusive education aims to ensure that children can participate meaningfully in education irrespective of disability or other barriers.

PRASHAST contributes to this objective by strengthening early identification at the school level.

The initiative supports the vision of NEP 2020, RPwD Act 2016, RTE Act 2009 and Samagra Shiksha.

How to Download PRASHAST App

The official PRASHAST application is available for smartphones.

Users should preferably download the application only through official sources.

Official PRASHAST Portal:
prashast.education.gov.in

Android: PRASHAST is available through Google Play under NCERT.

The official PRASHAST portal also provides access information for Android and iOS users.

Teachers should avoid downloading unofficial APK files from unknown websites.

Important Instructions for Teachers

While carrying out PRASHAST screening:

Complete the required training before beginning the process.
Read every screening question carefully.
Base responses on genuine observations.
Do not make assumptions about a child.
Do not use the screening result to stigmatise or label a student.
Maintain confidentiality of student information.
Coordinate with the Special Educator whenever further screening is indicated.
Follow the latest instructions issued by the School Education Department and competent authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions – PRASHAST App

What is the full form of PRASHAST?

PRASHAST stands for Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool.

What is the purpose of PRASHAST?

It is designed for school-based initial screening to identify children who may require further assessment for disability conditions recognised under the RPwD Act, 2016.

Who developed PRASHAST?

PRASHAST has been developed by NCERT, Government of India.

How many disability conditions are covered?

PRASHAST covers 21 disability conditions recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Who conducts Part 1 screening?

Part 1 is conducted primarily by regular/class teachers.

Who conducts Part 2 screening?

Part 2 is undertaken by Special Educators and/or designated experts.

Does PRASHAST confirm that a child has a disability?

No. PRASHAST is a screening and referral mechanism, not a substitute for formal professional diagnosis or disability certification.

Is PRASHAST useful for hidden disabilities?

Yes. One of its important purposes is to help schools identify children whose difficulties may not be immediately visible and who may require further professional assessment.

Can Headmasters generate school-level information?

The PRASHAST system provides school/class-level reporting functions for authorised school users as part of its implementation workflow.

Conclusion

The PRASHAST App 2026 is an important initiative for strengthening inclusive education in Indian schools.

Through a structured two-stage screening mechanism involving regular teachers, Headmasters/Principals and Special Educators, PRASHAST can help schools identify children who may require additional assessment and educational support at an early stage.

The most important principle is that PRASHAST should be used to identify support needs—not to label children.

Proper training, careful observation, confidentiality, professional assessment and timely intervention can help ensure that children with disabilities receive the educational opportunities and support to which they are entitled.

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PRASHAST App 2026: Registration, Teacher Screening, Part 1 & Part 2 Complete Guide

PRASHAST App 2026 complete guide for teachers and Headmasters. Know PRASHAST registration, Part 1 & Part 2 screening, 21 disabilities, Special Educator role and NCERT guidelines.

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PRASHAST App 2026: Registration, Teacher Screening, Part 1 & Part 2 Complete Guide