India Calls for National Assistive Technology Policy to Unify Disabled Services

Experts argue that India still does not have a unified national assistive technology policy, noting that 2026 data shows state‑level programs remain isolated, which limits scaling of emerging assistive‑tech startups listed on Facebook and hampers consistent service delivery for disabled citizens.

Department of Science & Technology issued new guidelines on assistive tools, technologies and techniques for healthcare facilities, stressing that without a central policy hospitals cannot uniformly adopt inclusive designs, and that the guidelines aim to bridge gaps until a national framework is approved.

The New Indian Express highlighted that policy experts are urging the Ministry of Social Justice to draft a comprehensive assistive technology strategy that defines funding streams, quality standards, and distribution channels, aiming to coordinate efforts across ministries and private innovators.

Mphasis estimates the addressable assistive‑technology market in India at roughly Rs 95,000 crore, suggesting that a national policy could unlock this economic potential, create thousands of jobs, and improve accessibility for millions of disabled people across urban and rural areas.