Tripartite MoU signed to promote inclusive education for persons with disabilities

In a significant move to advance inclusive education in India, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today in New Delhi between three key institutions: the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The MoU aims to create a strong, collaborative framework to promote inclusive education for persons with disabilities (PwDs) across the country.

The signing ceremony was presided over by Dr. Virendra Kumar, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, and Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Education. This partnership is a milestone in the government’s effort to ensure equitable learning opportunities and build an inclusive educational ecosystem—a system in which all learners, regardless of ability, can participate and thrive.

The initiative aligns closely with two landmark policy frameworks: the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates equal rights and opportunities in education, employment, and public life for PwDs; and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes accessibility, relevance, and inclusivity in education for all learners.

As part of this collaboration, NIOS will take the lead in establishing Special Accredited Institutions for the Education of Disabled learners. These institutions will recognize special schools run by NGOs that receive support under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)—a centrally sponsored scheme that funds NGOs providing education and rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, NCERT will be responsible for reviewing and adapting curricula and textbooks to reflect the pedagogical principles of NEP 2020. This will ensure that educational content is tailored to the needs of learners with disabilities—making it more accessible, inclusive, and contextually relevant.

Overall, this tripartite agreement is a transformative step toward mainstreaming disability rights in education and ensuring that no learner is left behind in India’s journey toward inclusive and equitable development.