DIVYANG KAUSHAL YOJANA TO PROVIDE CUSTOMIZED TRAINING TO DIVYANGJAN IN IT, AVGC AND HOSPITALITY SECTORS

1. At a Glance

• Two new Union Budget 2026-27 schemes for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan): Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana (skilling) and Divyang Sahara Yojana (assistive technology access) [S1][S2].
• Operationalises the Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas vision by routing Divyangjan into task-oriented, process-driven sunrise sectors (IT, AVGC, hospitality, F&B) [S1].
• UPSC relevance: GS-II (welfare schemes for vulnerable sections), GS-III (skilling, AVGC sector), Prelims (scheme-ministry-sector mapping) [S1].

2. Why in the News

• Announced by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 on 1 February 2026 in Parliament [S1].

3. Background & Evolution

• Builds on India's disability-rights architecture under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, which recognises 21 disabilities (static context).
• Earlier skilling for Divyangjan was delivered chiefly via the National Action Plan for Skill Development of PwDs (2015) under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
• Existing PM-DAKSH (PM-DivyaSHA) Kendras distribute assistive aids; Budget 2026-27 layers two new dedicated schemes on this base [S1][S2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana: customised, industry-relevant training of Divyangjan in IT, AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics), Hospitality, and Food & Beverages [S1].
• Rationale: these sectors offer task-oriented & process-driven roles suitable for Divyangjan, enabling "dignified livelihood opportunities" [S1].
• Divyang Sahara Yojana: sets up Assistive Technology Marts as modern retail-style centres where Divyangjan and senior citizens can see, try and buy assistive products [S1][S2].
• Implementation channel: ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India) — scales production, infuses AI into product design, strengthens existing PM Divyasha Kendras [S2].
• Dedicated R&D centre to be set up at the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), Visakhapatnam for indigenous assistive devices [S2].
• Announcing ministry: Ministry of Finance (Budget); nodal implementing ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment — DEPwD [S1].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Social - Targets 2.68 crore Divyangjan (Census 2011 baseline) historically constrained by skill-job mismatch; channels them into white-collar/services jobs rather than only sheltered workshops [S1]. - Pairs supply-side skilling with demand-side assistive tech, addressing both employability and functional independence [S1][S2].

Economic - Aligns Divyangjan workforce with India's AVGC-XR Mission and IT-BPM growth — sectors with low physical-mobility entry barriers [S1]. - Boosts indigenous medical-device manufacturing via ALIMCO + AMTZ, complementing the PLI for Medical Devices [S2].

Administrative / Governance - Convergence model: Finance (allocation) → MSJE/DEPwD (delivery) → ALIMCO (PSU manufacturing) → AMTZ (R&D) — multi-agency execution risk [S1][S2]. - Retail-style Assistive Technology Marts mark a shift from camp-based aid distribution (ADIP scheme model) to consumer-choice format [S2].

Scientific / Technological - Embeds AI-driven design in assistive devices (prosthetics, hearing aids, mobility aids) [S2]. - AVGC training leverages accessible digital workflows — screen-reader, eye-tracking, captioning tools (sector-fit rationale) [S1].

Legal / Constitutional - Operationalises Article 41 (DPSP — right to work, education and public assistance in cases of disablement) and obligations under RPwD Act, 2016 and UNCRPD (ratified by India in 2007).

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 1 Feb 2026: Both schemes announced in Union Budget 2026-27 speech [S1].
• Budget pairs them with the broader Yuva Shakti thrust of Budget 2026-27 [S3].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana covers four sectors: IT, AVGC, Hospitality, Food & Beverages [S1].
• AVGC = Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics [S1].
• Both schemes announced in Union Budget 2026-27 on 1 February 2026 by FM Nirmala Sitharaman [S1].
• Divyang Sahara Yojana establishes Assistive Technology Marts — modern retail-style centres [S1][S2].
• Implementing PSU for assistive devices: ALIMCO (under M/o Social Justice & Empowerment) [S2].
• New R&D centre under the scheme: at Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), Visakhapatnam [S2].
• Scheme leverages existing PM Divyasha Kendras for distribution [S2].
• Vision statement cited: "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" [S1].
• Beneficiaries of Assistive Tech Marts include Divyangjan AND senior citizens [S2].
• AI is to be integrated into assistive device product design [S2].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: "Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre"; "Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources."
• GS-III: "Inclusive growth and issues arising from it"; AVGC sector and skilling.
• Probable stems: 1. "Sectoral skilling, not generic skilling, is the route to dignified employment for Divyangjan." Critically examine in light of the Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana, 2026. 2. Discuss how the Divyang Sahara Yojana operationalises India's commitments under the UNCRPD and the RPwD Act, 2016. 3. Evaluate the convergence challenges in implementing centrally-announced Divyangjan welfare schemes through PSU + state machinery.

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• RPwD Act, 2016 — statutory backbone for any Divyangjan scheme.
• AVGC-XR Mission & National AVGC Task Force — sectoral context for Kaushal Yojana.
• ADIP Scheme (Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase of Aids/Appliances) — predecessor for assistive devices.
• PM-DAKSH / PM Divyasha Kendras — delivery network.
• ALIMCO — Schedule 'C' Miniratna PSU under MSJE.
• Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) — India's first medical-devices manufacturing zone.
• UNCRPD, 2006 — international obligation framework.
• Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) — complementary accessibility scheme.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Wrong ministry: scheme is announced by Finance but implemented by M/o Social Justice & Empowerment (DEPwD) — NOT M/o Skill Development or M/o Education.
• Confusing Divyang Sahara Yojana with the older ADIP scheme — Sahara is a 2026-27 retail-mart model, not camp distribution.
• AVGC is one sector (not three) — Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics.
• Mart location confusion: R&D centre is at AMTZ Visakhapatnam — not the marts themselves.
• Both schemes are Central Sector Budget announcements of 2026-27, not 2025-26.

11. Sources

• [S1] PIB — "Divyang Kaushal Yojana to provide customized training to Divyangjan in IT, AVGC and Hospitality Sectors" — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2221393 — (tier: 1)
• [S2] PIB — "Divyang Sahara Yojana to set up Assistive Technology Mart…" — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2221393&reg=3&lang=2 — (tier: 1)
• [S3] Ministry of Education — "Yuva Shakti Driven Budget 2026-27" — https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/Yuva_Shakti_Driven_Budget_2026_0.pdf — (tier: 1)