**Summary:**
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nipman Foundation and Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) to initiate the "Breaking Barriers Fellowship." Signed on August 21, 2025, the fellowship aims to enhance capacity within DEPwD by placing young professionals across its offices to bolster policy support and advance the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. The objectives of the fellowship include providing professional support to DEPwD, offering mentorship and government experience to fellows, and injecting fresh perspectives to strengthen disability inclusion in policymaking. The MoU, signed by Shri Ashish Thakare (Director, DEPwD), Shri Nipun Malhotra (Founder, Nipman Foundation), and Shri Rohit Kumar (Co-Founder, YLAC), is valid for one year with the possibility of extension. The agreement emphasizes transparency, merit-based selection of fellows, quarterly reporting, and adherence to confidentiality as per the Official Secrets Act, 1923. Key personnel present at the signing included Shri Rajesh Agarwal (Secretary, DEPwD) and Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda (Additional Secretary, DEPwD). The initiative reflects a commitment to nurturing young leaders and promoting disability empowerment and inclusive governance in India. Release ID: 2158821.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for welfare, social justice and empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalized sections of society.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD): A department under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, focused on disability affairs.
Nipman Foundation: An organization that has signed an MoU with DEPwD and YLAC to launch the Breaking Barriers Fellowship.
Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC): An organization that has signed an MoU with DEPwD and Nipman Foundation to launch the Breaking Barriers Fellowship.
Breaking Barriers Fellowship: A program designed to place young professionals across DEPwD offices.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: An act to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto
Shri Ashish Thakare: Director, DEPwD, signatory of the MoU.
Official Secrets Act, 1923: A law in India that deals with espionage, sabotage, and other activities that threaten the security of the state.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
DEPwD, Nipman Foundation & YLAC sign MoU to
Launch the Breaking Barriers Fellowship
Posted On: 21 AUG 2025 10:03AM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nipman Foundation and Young
Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) to launch the Breaking Barriers Fellowship, a program designed to
place young professionals across DEPwD offices to strengthen policy support and advance the
implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. The MoU was signed by Shri
Ashish Thakare, Director, DEPwD; Shri Nipun Malhotra, Founder, Nipman Foundation; and Shri Rohit
Kumar, Co-Founder, YLAC; in the presence of Shri Rajesh Agarwal, Secretary, DEPwD, and Ms. Manmeet
Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary, DEPwD.
Objective of Fellowship:
Enhance capacity within DEPwD through professional support
(cid:108)
Provide fellows with mentorship and government experience
(cid:108)
Bring fresh perspectives to strengthen disability inclusion in policymaking
(cid:108)
The collaboration will remain in force for one year, with provision for extension by mutual agreement. It
emphasizes transparency, merit-based fellow selection, quarterly reporting, and confidentiality under the
Official Secrets Act, 1923.
Through this Fellowship, DEPwD and its partners reaffirm their shared commitment to nurturing young
leaders and advancing disability empowerment and inclusive governance in India.
*****
KV
(Release ID: 2158821)