The Institute presently, through its human resource development programmes, offers, amongst others, training to qualify Vocational Instructors for persons with mental retardation. This course, developed by the Navajyothi Trust, is recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India and is also being offered by the National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped at Secunderabad and by the Govt. Institute of Mental Retardation at Chandigarh. The Institute offers specialised training to persons with mental retardation, in developing life skills and skills for employment. It runs an innovatively equipped Sheltered Workshop for them. These services have been developed as models for replication by other institutions working in the field.

The Institute carries out, on a continuing basis, research and development in the field of mental retardation and shares its expertise on a national basis. The Institute has an R & D workshop dedicated to creating environmental restructure (a unique concept developed by the Institute, to design and fabricate learning, working and living environments specifically suited to the unique needs of persons with disability). It has to its credit the development of many teaching and training aids for use in its special education section. Its expertise is these areas is made available to teacher trainees and others working in rehabilitation.

In recognition of its signal contributions in the field, the Trust received the National Award in 1981 (the International Year for the Disabled), and has received several State Awards including the Chief Minister's special award.