Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) to host Breakout Session during Post-Budget Webinar on Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana and Divyangjan Yojana Sahara

1. At a Glance

• Two new Union Budget 2026–27 schemes for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs/Divyangjan), administered by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment [S1][S2].
• Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana = skilling in IT, AVGC, Hospitality, F&B; Divyang Sahara Yojana = assistive devices via ALIMCO + AI-integrated R&D + Assistive Technology Marts [S2][S3].
• UPSC relevance: GS-II (welfare schemes for vulnerable sections) + GS-III (skill development, MSME-style retail aids ecosystem).

2. Why in the News

• 08 March 2026: DEPwD announced it will host a dedicated Breakout Session on both schemes during the Post-Budget Webinar series 2026–27 [S1].
• PM Narendra Modi addressed the Post-Budget Webinar on 09 March 2026 under the theme "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas – Fulfilling Aspirations of People" [S1][S4].
• PM emphasised Inclusive Innovation and Jan Bhagidari while highlighting Divyang Sahara Yojana in the webinar [S4].

3. Background & Evolution

• Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 — statutory backbone; recognises 21 disabilities.
• DEPwD carved out as a separate department in 2012 under MoSJE.
• Precursor skilling vehicle: PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) — already runs a Divyangjan Kaushal Vikas module for PwDs [S3].
• Earlier assistive-aids vehicle: ADIP Scheme (Assistance to Disabled Persons for purchase/fitting of aids) implemented through ALIMCO.
• Union Budget 2026–27 announced the two new yojanas as upgrades to this ecosystem [S2][S3].

4. Core Static Facts

• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment [S1].
• Implementing Department: Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) [S1].
• Implementing PSU (Sahara): Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) — CPSE under MoSJE, HQ Kanpur [S2].
• Statutory base: RPwD Act, 2016.
• Divyang Sahara Yojana allocation: ₹100 crore (Budget 2026–27) [S2].
• Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana sectors: IT, AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics), Hospitality, Food & Beverages [S3].
• Sahara product portfolio: mobility aids, low-vision/low-hearing devices, e-Braille readers, smart hearing instruments, cognitive-assistive solutions [S2].
• Retail arm: strengthening Pradhan Mantri Divyasha (Vayoshri) Kendras (PMDVKs) + new Assistive Technology Marts (modern retail-style centres) [S2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Social - Targets ~2.68 crore PwDs (Census 2011 baseline) — addresses livelihood + accessibility gap simultaneously [S1]. - Aligns with Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas inclusion narrative [S1][S4].

Economic - Skilling in AVGC and IT maps to high-growth digital sectors; F&B/Hospitality offers absorption capacity. - ALIMCO scale-up could indigenise the assistive-tech market, reducing import dependence on hearing aids and prosthetics [S2].

Scientific / Technological - Mandates AI integration in product design at ALIMCO; R&D push into cognitive-assistive solutions and e-Braille [S2].

Legal / Constitutional - Operationalises Sec. 19 (Vocational Training & Self-Employment) and Sec. 25 (Healthcare) of the RPwD Act, 2016. - Reinforces Article 41 (DPSP — right to work, education, public assistance) and India's obligations under UNCRPD (ratified 2007) [S1].

Administrative - Twin-track design: Skilling (Kaushal) + Aids (Sahara) — mirroring the supply-and-demand logic seen in PMKVY + ADIP earlier. - Delivery via PMDVKs + Assistive Tech Marts decentralises last-mile access [S2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• Union Budget 2026–27 (01 Feb 2026): Both schemes announced; ₹100 cr earmarked for Divyang Sahara [S2].
• 08 Mar 2026: DEPwD press release on Breakout Session during Post-Budget Webinar [S1].
• 09 Mar 2026: PM Modi addressed Post-Budget Webinar; spotlighted Divyang Sahara Yojana [S4].
• Theme: "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas – Fulfilling Aspirations of People"; webinar coordinated with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Department of Higher Education [S1].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Divyang Sahara Yojana is implemented through ALIMCO — a CPSE under MoSJE, not DPIIT [S2].
• Budget allocation for Divyang Sahara Yojana: ₹100 crore in FY 2026–27 [S2].
• Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana covers four sectors: IT, AVGC, Hospitality, F&B [S3].
• AVGC = Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics [S3].
• Parent ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, not Ministry of Skill Development [S1].
• Pre-existing skilling vehicle: PM-DAKSH with a Divyangjan Kaushal Vikas module [S3].
• New retail outlet concept: Assistive Technology Marts [S2].
• Existing retail outlets to be strengthened: PM Divyasha (Vayoshri) Kendras [S2].
• Statutory base: RPwD Act, 2016, recognising 21 disabilities.
• Post-Budget Webinar 2026–27 theme: "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas – Fulfilling Aspirations of People" [S1].
• PM addressed Post-Budget Webinar on 09 March 2026 [S1][S4].
• Product list under Sahara includes e-Braille readers and cognitive-assistive solutions [S2].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections — mechanism, performance, protection; Government policies & interventions.
• GS-III: Inclusive growth; Skill development; Government Budgeting.
• Plausible question stems: 1. "Examine how the twin schemes — Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana and Divyang Sahara Yojana — operationalise the rights guaranteed under the RPwD Act, 2016." (GS-II, 15M) 2. "Indigenisation of assistive technologies can transform disability inclusion in India. Discuss in the context of Budget 2026–27 announcements." (GS-III, 10M) 3. "Skilling alone cannot ensure dignified livelihoods for Divyangjan unless paired with accessibility infrastructure. Comment." (GS-II/III, 15M)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• RPwD Act, 2016 — statutory backbone with 21 disabilities listed.
• ADIP Scheme — predecessor assistive-aids scheme through ALIMCO.
• PM-DAKSH Yojana — overarching skilling portal covering Divyangjan, SC, OBC, EBCs.
• UNCRPD, 2006 — international convention India ratified in 2007.
• AVGC-XR Promotion Task Force — Budget 2022 push; intersects with Kaushal Yojana.
• Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) — physical/digital accessibility.
• Unique Disability ID (UDID) project — beneficiary identification backbone.
• ALIMCO — Miniratna CPSE, examinable as standalone PSU.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Wrong ministry: scheme sits under MoSJE, NOT Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship despite the word "Kaushal".
• Confusion of names: "Divyang Sahara" ≠ "Vayoshri"; PMDVKs already exist, Sahara is the new umbrella scheme.
• AVGC trap: do not expand as "Audio-Visual-Graphics-Content"; correct = Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics.
• ALIMCO is headquartered in Kanpur (UP), not Delhi.
• Don't confuse Post-Budget Webinar 2026–27 theme with NITI Aayog's separate "Viksit Bharat" consultations.

11. Sources

• [S1] DEPwD to host Breakout Session during Post-Budget Webinar on Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana and Divyangjan Yojana Sahara — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2236738 — (tier: 1)
• [S2] ALIMCO at the Forefront of Divyangjan and Senior Citizen Empowerment in Budget 2026-27 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2221850 — (tier: 1)
• [S3] 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)
• [S4] PM Emphasises Inclusive Innovation and Jan Bhagidari while Highlighting Divyang Sahara Yojana in Post-Budget Webinar — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2237298 — (tier: 1)