The need and importance of special education to mentally retarded children has long been realized by all educational authorities and public.

The Institute was established in the year 1965 with the aim of providing education & vocational training to mentally retarded with recognition of the fact that with proper training and facilities to such children they can be rehabilitated to adjust themselves to the demand of society. Now the Institute is under the direct control and supervision of Govt. Medical College, Chandigarh.

This is the only Govt. Institute in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab & Chandigarh with residential facility and vocational training . Recently this institute has started home based programme for parents who are other wise unable to send their children to the Institute due to some unavoidable circumstances.

• To impart education and training to mentally handicapped children.

• To impart vocational training for future employment.

• To advise and help parents through counselling and training and to foster mutual help between them.

• To undertaken and encourage scientific and other research into the problem of mental retardation.

• To develop public awareness.

As normal mental capacity of these children is restricted, they cannot be educated by the normal methods in normal schools like average healthy children. These children are often mistakenly considered uneducable and allowed to languish in neglect and social deprivation. By the adoption of suitable techniques, these children can be well trained and. made fit for leading near normal life. All behaviours are modifiable and small classes make individual attention possible.

Training in adaptive skills is through the medium of play and music. For physical fitness, outdoor sport, Yoga and gardening are utilized.