India’s Roadmap for Empowering Divyangjans

• 06 Dec 2025

Source: PIB

Why in News? 

As the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) (3rd December) reminds us of the need for an inclusive society, India is making strong progress toward inclusivity for PwDs, driven by major legal and policy reforms, government initiatives and landmark events like Purple Fest 2025. 

• As per Census 2011, India has 2.68 crore PwDs, accounting for 2.21% of the population.

What are the Key Legal Framework and Government Initiatives for Disability Rights in India?

• Legal Framework:  
  • Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: The cornerstone legislation, it recognizes 21 categories of disability, mandates reservation in education and employment, and legally obligates governments to ensure accessibility and full participation. 
    • Also, India ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2007, making a commitment to align its laws and policies with these principles 
  • National Trust Act, 1999: Focuses on welfare of individuals with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities. 
  • Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) Act, 1992: Regulates and monitors rehabilitation training programmes. Maintains Central Rehabilitation Register of qualified professionals. 
  • Scheme for Implementation of RPwD Act, 2016 (SIPDA): Provides financial and technical support to implement RPwD Act projects. Promotes accessibility, awareness, inclusion, and skill development. 
• Government Initiatives 
  • Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign): It aims to achieve universal accessibility across 3 key domains- built infrastructure, transport systems and ICT-ensuring equal access and participation for all. 
    • Its revamped Sugamya Bharat App acts as a digital hub for information, grievance redressal, and accessibility mapping. 
    • Guided by the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, the campaign addresses long-standing barriers faced by PwDs.  
  • Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) Scheme: Provides modern aids, appliances, and corrective surgeries (like cochlear implants) to support the physical and economic rehabilitation of PwDs. 
  • Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities (UDID): Creates a national database and issues a Unique Disability Identity Card to streamline the delivery of benefits and eliminate duplicate records. 
  • Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS): Offers financial assistance to voluntary organisations for the education, training, and rehabilitation of PwDs. 
    • PRASHAST App screens students for early disability identification. 
  • National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC): Promotes economic empowerment through concessional loans via schemes like Divyangjan Swavalamban Yojana for self-employment. 
  • PM-DAKSH-DEPwD Portal: A one-stop digital platform with two modules: 'Divyangjan Kaushal Vikas' for skill training and 'Divyangjan Rozgar Setu' for connecting PwDs with job opportunities from partnered companies. 
  • Divya Kala Mela: A national platform for Divyangjan entrepreneurs and artisans to showcase and sell their products, aligning with the "Vocal for Local" initiative and fostering economic empowerment. 
  • Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO): A not-for-profit CPSU that manufactures and distributes affordable assistive devices and is expanding reach through Pradhanmantri Divyasha Kendras. 
  • Promotion of Indian Sign Language (ISL): The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) is the nodal body, developing a vast digital repository of over 10,000 terms and academic videos.

What are the Challenges Confronting Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in India? 

• Accessibility Challenges: Most public spaces lack ramps, railings, tactile paths, and accessible signage, and many digital platforms do not support screen readers, captions, or other accessibility features.  
  • A 2018 government report found that only 3% of buildings were fully accessible for PwDs. 
• Inclusive Education Gap: The absence of trained teachers, accessible infrastructure, proper learning materials, and individualized support, along with attitudinal barriers, leads to high dropout rates among children with disabilities.  
  • As a result, only 19.3% of persons aged 15+ attain secondary-level education or higher. 
• Employment and Economic Exclusion: The employment rate for PwDs remains extremely low, as private sector hesitation, misconceptions about productivity, and limited accommodations restrict hiring.  
  • Consequently, out of 1.3 crore employable PwDs, only 34 lakh are employed. 
• High Healthcare Costs: High healthcare costs for assistive devices, therapies, and long-term care, combined with poor insurance coverage, make essential services inaccessible for many PwDs.  
  • This is worsened by a shortage of trained professionals and severe neglect of mental health services, especially for psychosocial disabilities.

What Further Steps are Necessary to Advance Inclusivity and Accessibility for PwDs in India? 

• Bridge the Governance Deficit: Close the compliance gap by enforcing the RPwD Act, 2016 with strict deadlines.  
  • Empower regulatory bodies like the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities with greater authority to penalize violations and resolve grievances effectively. 
• Universalize Accessibility: Enforce systematic retrofitting of all existing public assets under the Accessible India Campaign, with strict audits and deadlines aligned to UNCRPD obligations. 
• Economic Empowerment through Skilling: Scale up and integrate the PM-DAKSH scheme under Skill India, focusing on market-aligned vocational training and enhancing placement outcomes via the Rozgar Setu portal. 
• Promote Innovation in Accessible Technology: Invest in R&D for advanced AI-based solutions and accessible technologies to meet PwD needs in urban governance and digital literacy, supported through institutions like ALIMCO and dedicated start-up incubation.

Related Keywords for Mains

Socio-Economic Development: 

• “Ability over Disability”: Focus on skills and potential, not limitations. 
• “From Dependence to Dignity” – Economic empowerment and self-reliance. 
• “Inclusion is the New Growth” – Inclusive policies as drivers of development. 

Ethics & Integrity 

• “Dignity is Non-Negotiable” – Moral duty to protect rights and respect PwDs. 
• “Fairness Beyond Form” – Substantive equality, not just formal equality. 
• “Service is the Strongest Law” – Public service prioritizing marginalized citizens. 

Social Justice & Rights 

• “Empowerment Without Exceptions” – Reaching the last person in society. 
• “From Margins to Mainstream” – Integrating PwDs into all spheres of life. 
• “Accessibility is the New Equality” – Physical, social, and digital inclusion. 

Conclusion

India’s disability rights framework, anchored by the RPwD Act 2016 and the Accessible India Campaign, requires strict enforcement, expanded economic opportunities, and accessible technology innovation to fully integrate PwDs into the Viksit Bharat vision. 

Drishti Mains Question: 

Q. How can a multi-pronged approach involving legal safeguards, technology, and public-private partnerships be harnessed to empower Persons with Disabilities effectively?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q. What is the RPwD Act, 2016? 
It is India’s key legislation recognizing 21 disabilities, mandating education and employment reservations, and ensuring accessibility and full participation for PwDs. 

Q. What is the purpose of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan? 
It aims to achieve universal accessibility across infrastructure, transport, and ICT, ensuring equal access and participation for all persons with disabilities. 

Q. How does the UDID project benefit PwDs? 
UDID creates a national database and issues a Unique Disability Identity Card, streamlining benefit delivery and preventing duplication of records. 

Summary

• India has 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, supported by a robust legal framework including the RPwD Act, 2016.  
• Key initiatives like Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, PM-DAKSH, ADIP, UDID, and Divya Kala Mela ensure accessibility, skill development, and economic empowerment.  
• Digital tools like the Sugamya Bharat App and PRASHAST facilitate real-time access and early intervention.  
• Strengthening governance, universal accessibility, and assistive technology adoption remain critical for an inclusive and empowered society. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q. India is home to lakhs of persons with disabilities. What are the benefits available to them under the law? (2011)

1. Free schooling till the age of 18 years in government run schools. 
2. Preferential allotment of land for setting up business. 
3. Ramps in public buildings. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (d)

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Mains 

Q. Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss. (2017)