The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed universities and higher education institutions across India to strengthen accessibility and inclusion for students with disabilities, reinforcing the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. The directive calls for greater institutional accountability, barrier-free campuses and stronger support mechanisms for persons with disabilities.

Universities Asked to Strengthen Accessibility

Under the latest directions, universities are required to ensure compliance with disability reservation provisions and take steps to make their campuses more accessible. Institutions have also been asked to follow relevant accessibility standards while creating an environment where students with disabilities can participate equally in academic activities.

The UGC has emphasized that accessibility should extend beyond physical infrastructure. Universities are expected to strengthen institutional support systems and ensure that students can access education and campus facilities without unnecessary barriers.

Disability Data to Be Submitted

As part of the compliance process, universities have been asked to submit information covering students with disabilities admitted to different programmes, along with details concerning teaching and non-teaching staff and fellowships or scholarships provided to persons with disabilities.

The data is to be submitted through the UGC's designated monitoring system by September 30, 2026. The move is expected to help provide greater visibility into participation and opportunities available to persons with disabilities across India's higher education sector.

Focus on Institutional Support

The UGC has also called for stronger internal mechanisms to address the needs of students with disabilities. Universities and higher education institutions have been asked to establish internal committees involving teachers, staff, students and parents.

The Equal Opportunity Cells within institutions are also expected to function effectively and support inclusion-related initiatives. These measures are intended to make accessibility a continuing institutional responsibility rather than an isolated infrastructure exercise.

Inclusion Requires More Than Infrastructure

The importance of broader inclusion in higher education has also been highlighted by UNESCO. 

“Around 80% of students with disabilities are dissatisfied with the inclusion measures at their educational institutions.” - Francesc Pedró, Director, UNESCO-IESALC

The finding highlights why accessibility efforts need to address not only buildings and facilities but also teaching practices, digital accessibility, institutional support and the attitudes of faculty and peers.

A Stronger Push for Inclusive Education

The latest UGC direction places greater emphasis on measurable compliance and institutional responsibility. By requiring universities to report disability-related data and strengthen accessibility measures, the regulator is seeking a clearer picture of how effectively higher education institutions are supporting students with disabilities.

For universities, the directive means that accessibility and inclusion will require continued attention across infrastructure, admissions, support services and academic participation. For students with disabilities, stronger implementation could help create more equitable opportunities to enter, participate in and complete higher education.

The move reflects a wider shift in higher education toward making inclusion a fundamental part of institutional planning and student support.