The world will observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 and India is preparing to spotlight this year’s UN theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress”.
With more than 2.68 crore PwDs identified in Census 2011, the government ensures that no one is deprived on account of their disability, and creates pathways to opportunity and active societal involvement for every individual.
At the forefront of this push is the government’s revamped Sugamya Bharat App, launched at the International Purple Fest 2025 in Goa. The upgraded platform serves as a digital accessibility hub featuring screen-reader compatibility, multilingual support, voice navigation, community-based accessibility mapping, and a direct grievance redressal module. Designed to enhance last-mile access to schemes and services, the app marks a significant leap in India’s Accessible India Campaign, initially launched in 2015 to remove barriers in transport, buildings and ICT systems.
The momentum is anchored in India’s robust legal and policy architecture, led by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, which recognises 21 disabilities and mandates reservation, accessibility standards, and inclusive education.
Complementing this broader policy framework are landmark statutes such as the National Trust Act (1999) and the Rehabilitation Council of India Act (1992), which together regulate rehabilitation training and ensure the delivery of welfare services across the country. Their implementation is further bolstered by the umbrella Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA), which provides crucial financial support for accessibility initiatives and awareness campaigns in States and Union Territories.
Building on this foundation, a range of flagship welfare programmes continues to expand the reach of disability support. The Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) Scheme, supplies modern aids and appliances to persons with disabilities, transforming countless lives. One such example is three-year-old Kritika from Nagpur, who received a cochlear implant under the scheme in 2024 and has since shown remarkable progress in both speech and comprehension.
Alongside this, the Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) partners with voluntary organisations to strengthen education, training and rehabilitation services, while the National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) advances economic empowerment through its concessional Swavalamban and microfinance loan initiatives.
Production and distribution of assistive devices remain central to the government’s outreach. Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) a fully government-owned PSU, continues to manufacture a wide range of aids under one roof and has begun establishing Pradhanmantri Divyasha Kendras across national institutes to widen access under the ADIP scheme. In parallel, the Unique Disability ID (UDID) project aims to build a unified national database of PwDs, streamlining certification, eliminating duplicate records and simplifying access to schemes.
Skill development and employment received further support with the PM-DAKSH DEPwD portal, a one-stop digital ecosystem offering over 250 skill courses, online learning resources, and geo-tagged job listings. Partnerships with private employers such as Amazon and Godrej Properties are boosting recruitment avenues for PwDs.
At the institutional level, India’s network of nine national institutes and 30 Composite Regional Centres continues to provide specialised rehabilitation, training and research services across disabilities.
Community engagement and economic empowerment have also been amplified through large public events such as the Divya Kala Mela, which held multiple editions in 2025 across Vadodara, Jammu and Patna, showcasing the entrepreneurship, art, and cultural expression of Divyang artisans from across the country.
The Purple Fest 2025 in Goa further spotlighted inclusion, unveiling major educational and accessibility initiatives. These include an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) training handbook for PwDs, certification in ISL interpretation for CODA/SODA communities, and a new training programme introducing Indian sign language (ISL) professionals to American and British Sign Languages.
Promotion of Indian Sign Language has gained unprecedented momentum. The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) launched the world’s largest ISL digital repository with 3,189 e-content videos, expanded the ISL Dictionary to more than 10,000 terms, and advanced ISL as an academic discipline. The PRASHAST app for early disability screening has meanwhile reached over 92 lakh students. A 2020 MoU between ISLRTC and NCERT to translate school textbooks into ISL is on track for completion by 2026.
The evolution of disability affairs in India reflects a growing recognition of the rights and potential of persons with disabilities. The establishment of dedicated departments and initiatives exemplify a commitment to fostering inclusivity, creativity, and resilience within the community.