This Act replaced the 1995 disability law and significantly expanded the scope of disability rights in India, increasing the categories of recognised disabilities from 7 to 21 and aligning domestic law with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Section 34 mandates 4% reservation in government jobs and Section 32 mandates 5% reservation in higher education institutions for persons with benchmark disabilities (40% or more). Section 40 requires all public buildings and transport to be made accessible within a notified time frame.
Section 92 criminalises atrocities against persons with disabilities, including forced labour, denial of access to public places, and sexual exploitation, with punishment ranging from 6 months to 5 years imprisonment. Every child with a benchmark disability has the right to free education under Section 16, in an inclusive setting.
The Act also establishes Chief Commissioner and State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities to monitor implementation and address grievances, along with special courts for speedy trial of offences under the Act.