**Summary:**
In response to a parliamentary inquiry regarding opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), the Ministry of Labour and Employment outlined several initiatives aimed at encouraging employment for PwDs in both public and private sectors. The government is utilizing various employment generation schemes and programs, including the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), Stand-Up India Scheme, Startup India, Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY), Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes (RSETIs), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), and the Production Linked Incentive scheme. Detailed information on these programs can be found at https://dge.gov.in/dgeschemesprogrammes.
To enhance the skills of PwDs and facilitate their employment, the government launched the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAPSDP) in March 2015. As of February 3, 2025, this scheme has provided skill training to 142,000 PwDs across the country. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has also signed 20 non-financial Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with companies and job aggregators to create and improve employment opportunities for PwDs. Furthermore, the Ministry of Labour and Employment operates 24 National Career Service Centres for Differently Abled (formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation Centres for Handicapped). These centers provide vocational guidance, career counseling, non-formal vocational training, and referral services, as well as outreach activities to assist PwDs in their vocational rehabilitation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Labour and Employment: The Indian government ministry responsible for labour and employment policies.
Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Refers to individuals with disabilities, a key focus of the policy.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): A government scheme providing loans to non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY): A government scheme to incentivize employers for creation of new employment and restoration of loss of employment during COVID-19.
National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAPSDP): A government initiative launched in March 2015 to enhance the skills of Persons with Disabilities.
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY): A placement linked skill development program for rural poor youth.
National Career Service Centres for Differently Abled: Centers established by the Ministry of Labour & Employment to provide vocational guidance and training to persons with disabilities.
Sushri Shobha Karandlaje: Minister of State for Labour and Employment
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1254
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28th JULY, 2025
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
1254. DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether any measures have been adopted by the Government to
encourage employers in the Public and Private Sectors across the
country, States/UT-wise to provide more opportunities for persons
with disabilities;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has initiated any training programme for
such establishments and their staff towards disability; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (d): Government has taken various steps for generating
employment across the country to encourage employers in both public
and private sectors to provide more opportunities for persons including
those with disabilities(PwD) through different employment generation
schemes/ programmes, such as: Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY),
Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), Stand-UP India Scheme,
Startup India, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme
(PMEGP), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY),
Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes (RSETIs), Deendayal
Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM),
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-
NULM), Production Linked Incentive, etc. The details of various
employment generation schemes/ programmes being implemented by
the Government of India may be seen at
https://dge.gov.in/dge/schemes_programmes.Further, to enhance skills of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and
to enable them to have gainful employment, to become self-reliant,
productive members of society, Government has launched the National
Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP)
in March 2015. Since launch of NAP-SDP scheme, skill training has been
provided to 1.42 lakhs PwDs till 03.02.2025 across the country.
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
has also signed 20 MoUs (non-financial) with various companies/ Job
aggregators to create and enhance the employment opportunities for
persons with disabilities.
Ministry of Labour & Employment has established 24 National
Career Service Centres for Differently Abled (earlier known as
Vocational Rehabilitation Centres for Handicapped). These Centres
provide Vocational Guidance, Career Counselling, Non-formal Vocational
Training, extend Referral Services. These Centres also conduct
Outreach Activities, and assists PwDs in the process of Vocational
Rehabilitation.
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