Parliament Question: Special Recognised Institutions for the Education of Divyangjans

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2582 TO BE ANSWERED ON - 04/08/2026 SPECIAL RECOGNISED INSTITUTIONS FOR THE EDUCATION OF DIVYANGJANS 2582 : Shri Tejasvi Surya; Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state: (a) the measures taken by the Department of Empowerment of Divyangjans (DEPwD), through its National Institutes and Special Recognised Institutions, to improve the quality of education for Divyangjans, including educational facilities, assistive devices, scholarships and other concessions provided to students; (b) the number of trained special educators available in the Special Recognised Institutions for the Education of Divyangjans in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai, along with the sanctioned and vacant posts, if any; (c) the measures taken to strengthen infrastructure, assistive technologies, digital learning resources and the availability of trained special educators in these institutions; (d) the proposed steps to be taken by the Government under the “Project Formation/Commission" initiative; and (e) whether the Government proposes to establish additional Special Recognised Institutions or upgrade the existing institutions to improve access to quality education for Divyangjans, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B. L. VERMA) (a): National Institutes and their Composite Regional Centres under the Department conducts recognized undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programmes including for Divyangjans. These institutions have undertaken various initiatives to enhance the quality of education for Divyangjans, including the development of inclusive and accessible educational infrastructure, accessible classrooms, laboratories, clinical facilities, smart classrooms, digital libraries, and access to e-books and e-journals. They also conduct skill development programmes. 1Under ‘Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/ Fitting of Aids/ Appliances (ADIP) scheme, funds are released including to National Institutes and Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), Kanpur, a CPSE under this Department, for providing modern assistive devices to eligible Divyangjans, including students. Under the Scholarship Scheme for Students with Disabilities, scholarships are provided under six components – Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Top Class, National Fellowship, National Overseas Scholarship and Free Coaching. National Institutes functioning under the aegis of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities also allow waiver of fee to Divyangjans in academic courses etc. (b): Total 26 posts are sanctioned in the National Institutes and their CRCs/RCs under the aegis of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities situated in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai and as on date 24 Special Educators are in position. (c) to (e): National Institutes have developed barrier-free infrastructure, smart classrooms, resource rooms, therapy units, computer laboratories and accessible digital learning resources including e-learning platforms and ICT-enabled tools. ALIMCO is promoting advanced assistive technologies through partnerships with premier academic institutions, national laboratories, research organisations and start-ups. During last five years, the Department has released Rs. 452.38 Crore to National Institutes for strengthening their infrastructure and also provided Rs. 544.16 crore towards resources, equipment, training and other institutional activities. Qualified special educators are recruited as per RCI norms and their capacity is continuously enhanced through CRE programmes, Faculty Development Programmes, workshops and seminars. At present, there is no proposal to establish additional National Institutes. However, upgradation of existing institutions is a continuous process and infrastructure, equipment and facilities are upgraded as per requirements of National Institutes. ***** 2