Executive Summary:
The Indian Government, through the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, addresses support for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) via legislative frameworks, schemes, and initiatives. These efforts align with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and the National Education Policy 2020, ensuring inclusive education and comprehensive support. Over the last two years, various programs have been implemented, including financial aid, skill development, and rehabilitation services, with specific projects and sponsorships in Maharashtra.
Key Points / Main Content:
Legislative and Policy Framework:
* The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, mandates inclusive education for children with disabilities through Sections 16, 17, and 40.
* The National Education Policy 2020 advocates for inclusive education.
Schemes and Initiatives:
* The National Trust implements Vikaas Day Care, Gharaunda Group Home for Adults, and Niramaya Health Insurance schemes in Maharashtra.
* The National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) provides rehabilitation services from birth to lifespan, including a Regional Centre in Navi Mumbai with a Mobile Therapy Bus Service and eSanidhya Project for persons with Autism.
* The National Action Plan for Skill Development of PwDs (NAPSDP) aims to enhance the skills of Persons with Disabilities aged 15 and above.
* ADIP Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (ADIPSSA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, provides aids and appliances to CwSN.
* Scholarships for Students with Disabilities scheme provides financial assistance.
* Cross Disability Early Intervention Centres (CDEICs) offer specialized support for infants and young children at risk or with disabilities.
Financial Support:
* Rs. 19.98 crore released under NAPSDP scheme in the last two years, including Maharashtra.
* 5,418 CWSN benefited under ADIPSSA in Maharashtra during 2023-24 and 2024-25.
* Around Rs. 12 crore released to 2,219 students with disabilities in Maharashtra under the Scholarships for Students with Disabilities scheme over the past two years.
* Approximately 5,100 beneficiaries, including Divyangjan children, have benefited from National Trust schemes in Maharashtra over the last two years.
Impact Analysis:
Children with Special Needs (CwSN):
* Impact: Benefit from inclusive education, financial aid, access to aids and appliances, skill development programs, rehabilitation services, and early intervention support.
* Action Required: Participate in available schemes and utilize provided resources.
Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) aged 15 and above:
* Impact: Enhanced skills through the National Action Plan for Skill Development of PwDs (NAPSDP).
* Action Required: Participate in skill development programs under NAPSDP.
Educational Institutions and Educators:
* Impact: Need to implement inclusive education practices as mandated by the RPwD Act, 2016, and the National Education Policy 2020.
* Action Required: Ensure accessible schools, parks, and learning materials and provide necessary support for CwSN.
Parents and Guardians:
* Impact: Access to various schemes and initiatives supporting their children's development and well-being.
* Action Required: Enroll children in relevant schemes such as Vikaas Day Care, Gharaunda Group Home, Niramaya Health Insurance, and utilize services provided by NIEPID and CDEICs.
Government of India (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities):
* Impact: Responsible for implementing and monitoring the various schemes and initiatives.
* Action Required: Continue to provide financial and legislative support, collaborate with other ministries, and ensure effective implementation of the RPwD Act, 2016.
National Trust and NIEPID:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing specific schemes and providing rehabilitation services.
* Action Required: Continue to implement schemes such as Vikaas Day Care, Gharaunda Group Home, Niramaya Health Insurance, and provide rehabilitation services through NIEPID and its regional centers.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan): A department under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, responsible for policies and programs related to persons with disabilities.
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: A legislative framework in India that mandates inclusive education and other provisions for children and persons with disabilities.
National Education Policy 2020: A policy document that advocates for inclusive education for children with disabilities in India.
Maharashtra: A state in India where specific projects, schemes, and benefits for Divyangjan children are being implemented.
The National Trust: An organization under the DEPwD implementing schemes like Vikaas Day Care, Gharaunda Group Home for Adults, and Niramaya Health Insurance.
National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID): An institute under DEPwD that provides rehabilitation services to persons with intellectual disabilities.
National Action Plan for Skill Development of PwDs (NAPSDP): A scheme aimed at enhancing the skills of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) aged 15 and above.
ADIP Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (ADIPSSA): A collaborative program between DEPwD and the Ministry of Education to provide aids and appliances to Children with Special Needs (CWSN).
Government of India
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 249
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22/07/2025
Support to Children with Special Needs
249. Dr. Kirsan Namdeo:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is providing holistic support to children with special needs in the
country, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of schemes and initiatives that have been taken by the Government in this regard
during the last two years; and
(c) the details of such projects and sponsorship particularly in Maharashtra?
ANSWER
Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment
(SHRI B. L. VERMA)
(a) to (c) :
Yes; the Government of India is providing holistic support to children with special needs
(CwSN) through legislative frameworks, schemes, and initiatives under the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD), 2016, and programs implemented by the Department.
The section 16 and 17 of the RPwD Act, 2016 mandates inclusive education to the children
with disabilities; Section 40 promotes inclusive education through accessible schools/parks
and learning materials etc. The National Education Policy 2020 advocates for inclusive
education for children with disabilities.
The Government supports children with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and
multiple disabilities through legal and financial aid. The National Trust under DEPwD is
implementing Vikaas (Day Care) scheme, Gharaunda (Group Home for Adults) scheme, andthe Niramaya Health Insurance scheme in Maharashtra, benefiting approximately 5,100
beneficiaries including Divyangjan children over the last two years.
The National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID)
under DEPwD provides rehabilitation services to Persons with Intellectual disabilities from
birth to life-span. NIEPID Regional Centre Navi Mumbai caters services for all age groups
of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (PwIDs) from Centre-based to Community-Based
Rehabilitation. This Centre is providing Mobile Therapy Bus Service to Divyangjan. It also
provides services to persons with Autism under e-Sanidhya Project.
The Central Government has launched National Action Plan for Skill Development of PwDs
(NAP-SDP) with an aim to enhance the skills of PwDs with an age of 15 and above. In the
last two years, an amount of ₹19.98 crore has been released under NAP-SDP scheme
including Maharashtra.
The DEPwD, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, implements the ADIP-
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (ADIP-SSA) to provide aids/appliances to Children with Special
Needs (CWSN). In Maharashtra, 5,418 CWSN benefited in 2023-24 and 2024-25 under
ADIP-SSA.
Under the Central Sector Scheme named ‘Scholarships for Students with Disabilities’
scheme, around Rs. 12 crore have been released to 2,219 students with disabilities in
Maharashtra over the past two years.
DEPwD has launched single window, Cross Disability Early Intervention Centres (CDEICs)
in its various National Institutes (NIs) and Composite Regional Centres (CRCs) to give
specialized support and services for infants and young children who are at risk or have
disabilities and/or development delays to children in the age bracket of 0-6 years.
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