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Budget 2026 Allocates Rs 300 Crore for Disability Skilling & Tech Schemes

The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled Persons (NCPEDP) has welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27 for its targeted initiatives for persons with disabilities. A Rs 300 crore allocation will support the Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana and Divyangjan Sahara Yojana for skilling and assistive technology. The budget emphasizes a shift from welfare to rights-based interventions, focusing on education, scholarships, and expanding assistive tech infrastructure. Effective implementation will be crucial to translate these policy commitments into real outcomes for the disability community.

Key Points: Budget 2026: Rs 300 Crore for Disability Inclusion & Assistive Tech

  • Rs 300 crore for Divyangjan schemes
  • Focus on skilling and assistive technology
  • Shift from welfare to rights-based approach
  • Enhanced scholarships for students with disabilities
  • Emphasis on AI-led R&D and ALIMCO expansion
2 min read

NCPEDP hails Union Budget's Rs 300 crore push for specially abled persons

Union Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 300 crore for Divyangjan schemes, focusing on skilling, assistive technology, and inclusive education for persons with disabilities.

"The Budget signals a shift from welfare-driven approaches to rights-based and capability-enhancing interventions. - Arman Ali"

New Delhi, Feb 1

The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled Persons has welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27 for introducing targeted initiatives for specially abled persons, describing the measures as timely and critical for advancing dignity, inclusion, and economic participation.

Reacting to the Budget, NCPEDP Executive Director Arman Ali said that with over 70 million persons with disabilities in India, the launch of the Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana and Divyangjan Sahara Yojana, supported by an allocation of Rs 300 crore, marks a significant step towards strengthening education, skilling and access to assistive technology for the disability community.

Ali expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for recognising education, skill development and assistive technologies as key pillars of empowerment.

He said the Budget signals a shift from welfare-driven approaches to rights-based and capability-enhancing interventions that enable independence and choice for Divyangjan.

The NCPEDP noted that it has consistently advocated a similar approach, including through its Assistive Technology Hub, which demonstrates how innovation, accessibility and user-centric design can transform lives.

According to Ali, the government's emphasis on expanding the role of the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), strengthening PM Divyasha Kendras, and investing in Artificial Intelligence-led research and development aligns closely with the organisation's long-standing efforts to mainstream assistive technology across sectors.

Welcoming the enhanced budgetary support, Ali also appreciated the increased allocation for scholarships aimed at students with disabilities. He said sustained financial backing for inclusive education would help address long-standing barriers in access, retention and completion of higher education and skill training programmes.

The NCPEDP emphasised that continued and predictable investment in inclusive education, skill development and assistive technology is essential to ensure meaningful livelihoods, greater autonomy and equal participation of persons with disabilities in the country's growth story.

"The Union Budget 2026-27 reflects an encouraging intent to move towards an inclusive and accessible India. Effective implementation of these initiatives will be crucial in translating policy commitments into real and lasting outcomes for the disability community," Ali added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some focus on capability building! The Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana sounds promising. My cousin is visually impaired and struggles to find skilling programs that are truly accessible. If executed well, this can change many lives. Kudos to the government for this move.
A
Arjun K
Good initiative, but ₹300 crore for over 70 million people? That's roughly ₹428 per person. While the direction is right, the scale of funding needs to be much larger to make a real nationwide impact. This should be just the starting point.
S
Sarah B
The emphasis on AI-led R&D for assistive technology is brilliant. India has the tech talent to become a global leader in affordable, innovative solutions for disabilities. This could create export opportunities too. A forward-thinking budget provision.
M
Meera T
As a teacher, I've seen bright students with disabilities drop out due to lack of support. Increased scholarships and focus on inclusive education are critical. Implementation at the ground level in schools and colleges is the real challenge now.
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Vikram M
Strengthening ALIMCO and PM Divyasha Kendras is key. High-quality, affordable prosthetics and aids are still out of reach for many in rural areas. Hope this funding ensures these reach the last mile. A step towards a more inclusive Bharat.

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