**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's initiatives to expand educational opportunities for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities) through Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Divyangjans (SAIEDs) and other related programs.
The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has partnered with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on June 18, 2025. This MoU aims to accredit NGOs and Special Schools under the Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) as SAIEDs. The objective is to broaden educational access for Divyangjan by leveraging the network of NGOs supported by the DDRS, with academic and technical assistance from NIOS.
NIOS, operating through Open and Distance Learning (ODL), provides concessions in online admission fees for Divyang learners.
"Project Inclusion" strengthens the inclusive education ecosystem as per the RPwD Act, 2016, by empowering teachers, professionals, and stakeholders through training and sensitization via the Project Inclusion App developed by Sri Aurobindo Society.
The government facilitates inclusive education for children with disabilities through Sections 16 and 17 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. These provisions are applicable across all regions, including the Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Divyangjan: A department under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, focused on the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
National Institute of Open Schooling NIOS: An educational institution that provides education through open and distance learning mode.
Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Divyangjans SAIEDs: Institutions set up by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to expand educational opportunities for divyangjans (persons with disabilities).
Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme DDRS: A scheme for the rehabilitation of Divyangjan (persons with disabilities) under which NGOs and special schools are accredited as Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Divyangjans SAIEDs.
National Council of Educational Research and Training NCERT: An autonomous organisation of the Government of India which provides assistance to the central and state governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education.
Project Inclusion: A government initiative to strengthen the inclusive education ecosystem, empowering teachers and other stakeholders through training and sensitization.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities RPwD Act, 2016: An act of the Parliament of India to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency: A Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh, India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT
DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
(DIVYANGJAN)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No- 3702
TO BE ANSWERED ON- 12/08/2025
Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Divyangjans
3702. Shri ChavdaVinod Lakhamshi:
Shri Bhojraj Nag:
Shri ManojTiwari:
Dr. Rajesh Mishra:
Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
be pleased to state:
(a) the manner in which Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Divyangjans
(SAIEDs) set up by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) are likely to expand
educational opportunities for divyangjans;
(b) the specific measures proposed to be implemented by the National Institute of Open
Schooling (NIOS) to ensure necessary accommodations and concessions for divyang
students;
(c) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government under 'Project Inclusion'; and
(d) the details of the efforts made to provide quality education to divyangs in Sidhi
Parliamentary Constituency ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B. L. VERMA)
(a) National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has entered in a tripartite Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
(Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India & National Council
of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on 18.06.2025 for accrediting NGOs/
Special Schools proposed by the DEPwD, under the Deendaya lDivyangjan Rehabilitation
Scheme (DDRS) as “Special Accredited Institutions for Education of the Divyangjans
(SAIEDs)”. The MoU provide broad access to education of Divyangjan through the network
of NGOs working under DDR Scheme assisted by academic and technical support from the
NIOS.
(b) NIOS offers education through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Mode and hence do
not provide accommodation to the learners. However, Divyang Learners enrolled with NIOS
are given concessions in online admission fee.
(c) The Government through Project Inclusion,strengthen the inclusive education ecosystem
as per the RPwD Act, 2016 by empowering teachers, especially General teachers,professionals and other stakeholders through training and sensitization through the Project
Inclusion App by Sri Aurobindo Society.
(d) The Government, through the provisions laid down in Sections 16 and 17 of the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 outlines measures to facilitate inclusive
education for children with disabilities. These provisions are applicable across all regions,
including the Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency.
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