India Ministry of Social Justice Issues Draft Accessibility Rules 2026 for Tech Companies

Ministry of Social Justice released a draft set of Accessibility Rules for 2026 that target technology firms, specifying that digital products, websites and mobile apps must meet new accessibility standards to serve persons with disabilities.

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities linked the draft to its Accessible India Campaign, emphasizing the goal of creating barrier‑free public spaces and digital services nationwide and urging stakeholders to adopt inclusive design practices.

Supreme Court recently directed the central government to establish mandatory accessibility standards, giving legal weight to the draft and signalling that non‑compliance could lead to judicial scrutiny and penalties for violators.

NASSCOM and other industry bodies are reviewing the draft, calling for a phased rollout, sector‑specific timelines, and clear guidance to help companies align products with the upcoming requirements without disrupting innovation pipelines.