Delhi, August 13: The Government of India, under the Inclusive Education (IE) component of Samagra Shiksha, successfully conducted a nation-wide week-long campaign of Mega Assessment and Distribution Camps for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) at block and district levels from 29th July 2025, as part of the 5th Anniversary celebrations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 during the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) 2025.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 places strong emphasis on equitable and inclusive education for all, and is in complete consonance with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 and endorses all its recommendations with regard to school education.
The Inclusive Education (IE) component under Samagra Shiksha ensures full equity and inclusion so that all children are able to fully participate in inclusive schools in a continuum from pre-school to class XII.
It also mandates for early identification and assessment support of CwSN wherein States/UTs may organize up to four camps per block per year for elementary and secondary levels with support of upto Rs 10,000/- per camp.
As a crucial step for mainstreaming CwSN, the Department of School Education & literacy (DoSEL) in collaboration with the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) is implementing Scheme of Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP Scheme) in convergence with Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) for distribution of Aids/Appliances to CwSN.
Under ADIP SSA, activity funds are shared between DEPwD and DoSEL in the ratio of 60:40 wherein assessment/distribution of Aids/Appliances is undertaken through Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) across the country in coordination with State SSA Authorities.
As part of the commemoration of the 5th Anniversary of NEP 2020 through the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) 2025, DoSEL launched a nation-wide week-long campaign for Mega Assessment and Distribution Camps for CwSN under the Samagra Shiksha at the block and district level, starting from 29th July, 2025.
Directions and guidance were issued by DoSEL to State/UTs to plan and execute the mega camps in convergence with all stakeholders.
These camps were categorised as Screening and Identification of CwSN; Medical Assessment (including for UDID certification) and Assistive Device Assessment and Distribution and were aimed to ensure that services are brought closer to the child's doorstep, especially in rural and remote areas.
The week-long campaign saw wide-ranging stakeholder participation from line departments/ agencies such as Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) teams, District Health Department, Panchayati Raj, ALIMCO etc. for mobilizing medical teams and necessary logistics.
The mega camps were graced by several dignitaries and senior government functionaries.
This significant step witnessed active participation from the community and served as an impetus for delivering on-ground interventions for CwSN across the country. It underscored the government's commitment to practical, impactful measures that align with the broader goals of inclusive education.
States/UTs shared district and block wise details highlighting widespread efforts across various States and UTs to identify and provide tangible support to such children. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of children covered 50,905 and 3,187 children were provided with assistive devices covering 286 districts engaging 2,758 Rehabilitation Professionals. Uttar Pradesh follows covering 25,737 children and Bihar also made significant progress, with 17,570 children covered.
Smaller territories also contributed in this national event as well—Puducherry covered 4,229 children with 548 getting devices, while Meghalaya assessed 6,041 children and provided devices to 191.
Some states like Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim had smaller numbers but focussed heavily on specialized deployment, including doctors, psychiatrists, audiologists, and special educators.
States/UTs executed this massive logistical exercise overcoming challenges of terrain and monsoon and set an example of successful convergence on ground.
This week-long campaign ensured participation of parents/guardians, ground level functionaries in the assessment process through awareness and mobilization by school media platforms, website of education department, and notice board of schools, local media.
