Page 33 - NIS English 16-28 Feb, 2026

COVER STORY BUDGET
UNION

2026-27

Persons with Disabilities

Dignity, Opportunity,

and Self-Reliance

This year’s budget presents a concrete
roadmap for moving beyond social
responsibility and integrating the
empowerment of persons with disabilities
into the mainstream of inclusive
development. Through provisions focused
on education, skill development, health,
availability of assistive devices, and
expansion of employment opportunities,
the budget aims to make persons with
The budget allocation for the Department of disabilities self-reliant and provide them
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for
the financial year 2026-27 is ₹1669.72 crore. with equal opportunities for a life of dignity…

Ease of Living

Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Divyang Sahara Yojana
Persons with Disabilities Skill Development Scheme: This Timely access to high-quality assistive devices for all
scheme will ensure dignified livelihood opportunities for each eligible Divyangjans.
group of persons with disabilities through industry-relevant n Assistance will be provided to the Artificial
and customised training. It will provide dignified livelihood Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India
opportunities through industry partnerships and will include (ALIMCO) for investment in research and
special training programmes for women with disabilities. Under
the scheme, customised training will be provided to persons development and AI integration.
with disabilities in the IT, AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, n The strengthening of PM Divyasha Centres
Gaming, and Comics), and hospitality sectors. and the establishment of Assistive Technology
Disability Pension for Armed Forces Marts as modern retail-style centres have been
Disability pension for personnel of the armed forces, including proposed. Here, persons with disabilities and
paramilitary personnel, covers service conditions and disability senior citizens will be able to see, try, and
conditions. Special provisions have been made for personnel purchase assistive products.
who have suffered physical disability due to or aggravated n Under the Divyang Sahara Yojana, the
by service in the Army, Navy, or Air Force and have been government will provide assistance to the
discharged from service. Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of

Healthcare for the Elderly India (ALIMCO) to increase the production
A healthcare ecosystem and associated care service centres for the of assistive devices, invest in research
elderly will be created with private sector participation. One and a and development, and integrate advanced
half lakh care service providers will be trained in the next few years. technologies, including artificial intelligence.

February 16-28, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 31