Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday said that inclusive and equitable education lies at the heart of India’s vision of Viksit Bharat, stressing that education must ensure dignity, equal opportunity and self-reliance for every child.
Inaugurating the three-day Inclusive Education Summit 2026 in New Delhi, the Minister said the Summit reflects the country’s collective commitment to building an education system that is sensitive, accessible and inclusive. Organised by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, the Summit is being held from January 21 to 23, 2026. Pradhan also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing technology-enabled assistive devices for Children with Special Needs (CwSN).
Addressing the gathering, Pradhan said inclusive education is not confined to any single scheme, but represents a national resolve aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.” He noted that the expansion of recognised disability categories from six to 21 reflects India’s evolving and inclusive approach. Emphasising early identification of learning challenges such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, he said inclusive education is a shared responsibility of schools, families and society at large.
The Union Minister later visited the exhibition and appreciated the innovative, world-class assistive solutions developed by Indian start-ups to address the diverse needs of CwSN and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). He underlined that ensuring dignity, accessibility and equal opportunities for the Divyang population requires sustained efforts through enabling laws, inclusive policies, accessible infrastructure and continued innovation.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, DoSEL, Sanjay Kumar said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions an inclusive education system that ensures no child is left out, with the goal of achieving 100 per cent gross enrolment at the secondary level by 2030. He emphasised that inclusion goes beyond access, and that meaningful learning outcomes, social development, safety, and early identification of learning disabilities—especially during foundational years—are critical. He called for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, rooted in empathy and sensitivity to diverse needs.
The Summit aims to strengthen policies, practices and innovations for inclusive education in line with NEP 2020 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. It brings together policymakers, States and Union Territories, national institutions, education boards, experts, civil society organisations, start-ups and industry partners to share best practices and chart future pathways for inclusive education in India.
Setting the context for the Summit, Economic Advisor, DoSEL, Smt. A. Srija said the platform seeks to address the entire continuum of inclusive education—from early identification and learning to participation, skills and livelihoods. Discussions will also focus on inclusive assessments, examination accommodations, skill development and employment pathways for CwSN.
The three-day Summit is structured around key thematic areas. The first day focuses on leveraging digital technologies and assistive devices to improve access and learning outcomes. The second day highlights national models and capacity-building initiatives such as PRASHAST 2.0, teacher training, strengthening of resource rooms, and promotion of inclusive sports and vocational education. The final day will address specific learning disabilities, neurodiversity, curriculum adaptation, assessment reforms and education-to-employment pathways for CwSN.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Education, NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Chairperson of Special Olympics Bharat Dr. Mallika Nadda, and other stakeholders were present at the inauguration.
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