Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Wednesday issued a directive to implement a five per cent reservation for persons with benchmark disabilities in all higher education institutions, including government and aided institutions.
This initiative also includes an upper age relaxation of five years for admissions. The directive, dated June 25, 2024, falls under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates such reservations and age relaxations to ensure equal educational opportunities for persons with disabilities.
According to a Government Order, this policy is in line with Section 32 of the RPwD Act. This section specifies that all government institutions of higher education and other higher education institutions receiving government aid must reserve at least five per cent of seats for persons with benchmark disabilities. Furthermore, these individuals are entitled to an upper age relaxation of five years for admission into these institutions.
The directive emphasises the importance of inclusive education, recognising that societal barriers often impede the full potential of individuals with disabilities. The government aims to create a level playing field by ensuring that educational institutions are accessible and equipped to support the academic needs of students with disabilities. This includes providing ramps, lifts, accessible toilets, and other necessary facilities to make campuses disability-friendly.
Moreover, the implementation of this reservation policy is expected to address long-standing issues faced by persons with disabilities, including lack of awareness about their rights, financial constraints, and inadequate academic support. Universities are required to offer fee concessions and other financial aid to alleviate the economic burden on students from low-income families.
The directive has been forwarded to various departments to ensure immediate implementation.
The policy is not only a compliance with national legislation but also an effort to align with international standards set by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which India is a signatory.
