What happened: MoU and launch of the DISSSA campaign

On 2 September 2026, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rajyoga Education Research Foundation (RERF), a sister organisation of Brahma Kumaris, to launch the “Divyang Samanata, Sanrakshan evam Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (DISSSA)” at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The MoU is presented as a nationwide initiative to create an enabling environment for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities) and to strengthen equality, inclusion, and empowerment.

Key officials highlighted that disability empowerment should not remain limited to welfare services alone, and should instead nurture abilities, talent, competence, and potential of persons with disabilities.

Background and earlier position: existing government disability support and legal anchor

The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, linked DISSSA to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, stating that laws and schemes fulfil their purpose only when benefits reach every eligible person in a meaningful and accessible manner. He also emphasised that empowerment requires participation beyond government—through social, spiritual, educational, and service-oriented institutions.

Joint Secretary (DEPwD), Shri Rajeev Sharma, stated that DISSSA complements existing government efforts under the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), which supports around 350–400 projects across the country for education, training, and rehabilitation services for children with disabilities.

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