Skill training for persons with disabilities falls far short of targets: panel

The parliamentary standing committee on social justice and empowerment has expressed serious concern over the persistent shortfall in skill development training for persons with disabilities. In its latest report tabled in Parliament, the committee said the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP) has failed to achieve even 25% of its set targets over the last three years.

The NAP-SDP is a flagship initiative of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It aims to provide skilling and vocational training to persons with disabilities to enhance their employability and economic independence. The parliamentary standing committee regularly reviews the implementation of such schemes and makes recommendations for improvement.

In the current report, the committee said it was not accepting the government's response on the action plan and that its earlier observations required reiteration. The committee had first flagged the issue in March while examining the Demands for Grants (2026-27) of the department.

Performance data presented in the report shows a widening gap between targets and outcomes. Against a target of 17,000 beneficiaries in 2023-24, the department trained 9,333 persons. The following year, against a target of 15,000, the number of trainees dropped sharply to 836. In the current financial year, as of January, only 2,264 beneficiaries had been trained against a target of 10,000.

The committee acknowledged the administrative challenges posed by the transition to the PM DAKSH-DEPwD portal and the Hybrid Treasury Single Account (TSA) model. However, it described the continued shortfall in achieving even 25% of the set targets as a matter of serious concern.

With the government announcing a new skill development initiative called the Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana, the committee has recommended that the department adopt a more robust, industry-linked approach to bridge the gap between training and gainful employment. It stressed the importance of prioritising the placement of certified trainees by strengthening partnerships with private employers. It also said training modules should remain aligned with current market demands.

The committee further suggested that the targets for the 2026-27 fiscal year be monitored quarterly, so that the transition to the new scheme results in measurable improvements in both the number of beneficiaries trained and their subsequent placement in sustainable employment.

In its reply to the committee, dated June 18, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities said the recommendations have been noted. The department said the new skilling scheme is being designed to address the diverse skilling needs and aspirations of all types of persons with disabilities, through industry-linked and outcome-based livelihood models. It added that the scheme would be regularly monitored and reviewed.

Skill development is essential for the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities. The committee's report highlights the gap between policy intent and implementation on the ground. It has called for concrete action to ensure that the new scheme delivers on its objectives and creates meaningful employment opportunities for the community.