Welfare Schemes for Disabled — Policy Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
N/A (New Act)	2016	The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, replaced the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. This was not an amendment to the 1995 Act but a comprehensive new legislation.	Significantly expanded the scope of disability rights, increased recognized disabilities from 7 to 21, enhanced reservations in jobs and education, introduced stricter penalties, and aligned Indian law with the UNCRPD. It shifted the paradigm from a welfare-oriented approach to a rights-based model, emphasizing non-discrimination and universal accessibility.