This document is an answer from the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment (Shri B.L. Verma) to a parliamentary question (No. 2551) regarding the National Institute of Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai. The question concerned the halting of admissions for the "Bachelor in Prosthetics and Orthotics" course.
The response clarifies that NIEPMD, Chennai, is an autonomous body and that the Institute's Executive Council (EC) decided not to take admissions for the "Bachelor in Prosthetics and Orthotics" course from the academic year 2025-26. It further states that there are 9 institutions approved by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) in the region offering similar courses with a total intake of 185 students. There are currently 241 Prosthetics & Orthotics Professionals serving the Divyangjan Community in the region. The question was answered on 16/12/2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The ministry responsible for addressing the question related to the National Institute of Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities.
National Institute of Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai: Autonomous institute that halted admissions for the Bachelor in Prosthetics and Orthotics course.
Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI): Organization approving institutions for Bachelor in Prosthetics and Orthotics courses.
Bachelor in Prosthetics and Orthotics: The course for which admissions were halted at NIEPMD.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2551
TO BE ANSWERED ON - 16/12/2025
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE
DISABILITIES
2551. SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware that the National Institute of Empowerment of Persons
with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai has halted admissions for the course
“Bachelor in Prosthetics and Orthotics” after conducting the Common Entrance Test for
admission this year and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is also aware that the discontinuation of this course would lead
to a shortage of qualified Prosthetics and Orthotics professionals in the region and if so, the
details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to restore the admission process and if so, the details
thereof ?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B.L. VERMA)
(a) National Institute of Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD),
Chennai is an autonomous body under the aegis of the Department.
As an administrative measure Institute’s Executive Council (EC) decided not to take
admissions from current academic year 2025-26 for the “Bachelor in Prosthetics and
Orthotics” Course.
(b) & (c) There are total 9 Institutions approved by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)
in the region for conducting Bachelor in Prosthetics and Orthotics courses having a total
intake of 185 Students. As on date a total number of 241 Prosthetics & Orthotics
Professionals are actively serving the Divyangjan Community in the region.
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