Government Increases The Number Of Disability Categories From 3 To 5

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 07-02-2025

Government Increases The Number Of Disability Categories From 3 To 5

Government Scheme 3 min read

On December 24, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the government has increased the number of disability categories for reservation for PwD (persons with disabilities) from 3 to 5.

Earlier, there were only three categories in which reservation was given to persons with disabilities (PWD).

These categories include –

1. Blindness and low vision
2. Deaf and hard of hearing
3. Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, cured leprosy patients, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy.

The Government of India has added two more categories-

4. Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness
5. Persons with multiple disabilities, including deaf-blindness, under clauses (1) to (4).

Reservation quota increased for disabled in services and education:

Reservation quota for the disabled in central government services has been increased from 3 to 4 percent and 5 percent in education for them.

Major initiatives for empowerment of persons with disabilities:

Accessible India Campaign:

The Prime Minister of India launched it on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2015.
The campaign aims to create a barrier-free and conducive environment for Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities - PwDs) across the country.

Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme:

This scheme was revised in 2018 and this revised scheme is effective from 1 April 2018.
Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to non-governmental organisations to provide various services to disabled persons.

ADIP Scheme:

This scheme was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 1 April 2017.
The objective of this scheme is to assist needy persons with disabilities in purchasing durable, sophisticated, scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances.

Unique Disability Identification (UDID) Portal:

This project is being implemented with the aim of creating a database of Persons with Disabilities at the national level and issuing a unique Disability Identity Card to each Person with Disability (PwDs).

FAQ

Ans. The government has increased the number of disability categories for reservation for PwD (persons with disabilities) from 3 to 5.

Ans. The reservation quota for the disabled in central government services has been increased from 3 to 4 percent and in education from 5 percent.

Ans. 3 December 2015

Ans. This scheme aims to assist needy persons with disabilities in purchasing durable, sophisticated, scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances.