On December 3, 2025 — International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) — President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2025 in New Delhi. The 2025 theme — 'Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress' — emphasised inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs/Divyangjan) as a precondition for sustainable development. President Murmu stated that Divyangjan deserve equality and that ensuring their equal participation in national development is a duty of all stakeholders — not charity. Key government schemes: Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), SIPDA, ADIP (free assistive devices), UDID cards (millions issued), Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (disability categories expanded from 7 to 21, 4% horizontal job reservation). India has approximately 2.68 crore PwDs (Census 2011). In Rajasthan, the Social Justice and Empowerment Department runs Palanhaar Yojana (₹1,500/month for children of disabled/destitute parents), disability pensions, free assistive device camps, dedicated hostels, and special schools. CM Bhajanlal Sharma committed to 100% UDID card coverage in 2025-26.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025: President Murmu Presents National Awards; Theme 'Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies'
On December 3, 2025 — International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) — President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2025 in New Delhi. The 2025 theme — 'Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress' — emphasised inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs/Divyangjan) as a precondition for sustainable development. President Murmu stated that Divyangjan deserve equality and that ensuring their equal participation in national development is a duty of all stakeholders — not charity. Key government schemes: Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), SIPDA, ADIP (free assistive devices), UDID cards (millions issued), Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (disability categories expanded from 7 to 21, 4% horizontal job reservation). India has approximately 2.68 crore PwDs (Census 2011). In Rajasthan, the Social Justice and Empowerment Department runs Palanhaar Yojana (₹1,500/month for children of disabled/destitute parents), disability pensions, free assistive device camps, dedicated hostels, and special schools. CM Bhajanlal Sharma committed to 100% UDID card coverage in 2025-26.
Key facts
- President Murmu presented National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.
- The 2025 theme was 'Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress'.
- The RPwD Act 2016 expanded disability categories from 7 to 21 with 4% job reservation.
- India has approximately 2.68 crore persons with disabilities as per Census 2011.
- Key government schemes include Accessible India Campaign, ADIP, and UDID cards.
- Rajasthan's Palanhaar Yojana provides ₹1,500 per month for children of disabled parents.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss India's legal and policy framework for Divyangjan welfare in light of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 observance.
Answer (50 words):
On 3 December 2025 President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the theme 'Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies'. Key instruments: Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 expanding categories from seven to twenty-one with four per cent horizontal reservation, Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, SIPDA, ADIP, UDID cards.
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Who presented the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2025 in New Delhi on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities?
President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for 2025 in New Delhi on December 3, 2025, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Source: PIB / IANS Live / Devdiscourse / DD News / UNDP / WHO
Frequently asked questions
On which date is International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed and what was the 2025 theme?
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed every year on December 3. The 2025 theme was 'Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress', emphasising that inclusion of persons with disabilities is a precondition for sustainable development.
How many disability categories does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016 recognise and what reservation does it provide?
The RPwD Act 2016 expanded disability categories from 7 (under the earlier Persons with Disabilities Act 1995) to 21, covering a wider range of physical, intellectual, and psychosocial conditions. It also increased job reservation for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) from 3% to 4% in government employment.
What is the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) and what are its objectives?
The Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) is a nationwide initiative launched by the Government of India to make the built environment, transport systems, and information & communication technology accessible to persons with disabilities. Its objectives include retrofitting public buildings, making railway stations accessible, and ensuring digital inclusivity.
What is the UDID card scheme and how does it benefit persons with disabilities?
The Unique Disability ID (UDID) card is issued under the Unique Disability Identification project to provide persons with disabilities a single, verifiable identity document. It eliminates the need for multiple documents when availing government benefits and enables tracking of scheme disbursements to Divyangjan across the country.
What is Rajasthan's Palanhaar Yojana and what does it provide for children of disabled parents?
Rajasthan's Palanhaar Yojana is a state welfare scheme that provides financial assistance to children who are orphaned or whose parents are unable to care for them, including children of disabled parents. Under this scheme, eligible children receive ₹1,500 per month to support their upbringing and education.
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