In Focus by The Hindu Are persons with disabilities in India compensated well?
Sep 1, 2025
Shashank Pandey, a lawyer and founder of the Politics and Disability Forum, discusses the critical challenges faced by persons with disabilities in India. He highlights the importance of the Unique Disability ID card for accessing government benefits, emphasizing that only 39% of those eligible have one. The podcast delves into employment barriers, particularly the strict 40% disability threshold that limits job reservations. Additionally, Shashank addresses the educational hurdles for children with disabilities, including the lack of resources and support systems, and the gender disparities in disability representation.
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State Control Slowed A Central Rollout
- UDID rollout has been uneven because disability certification is a state-level function while UDID is a centralised digital platform.
- Different states started UDID at different times, producing wide coverage gaps.
Digital Design Creates New Barriers
- UDID's fully digital process excludes many because of low digital literacy and inaccessible interfaces.
- Medical assessment changes and unclear transitions from certificates to UDID created confusion and slowed registrations.
The 40% Threshold Shapes Access
- The 40% disability threshold exists solely to operationalize reservation in government jobs and education.
- People below 40% legally lack reservation access, leaving many unprotected in employment.