Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)
This profile has been independently compiled from official gazette notifications and verified web domains. Source Authority Link: www.sugamyabharat.gov.in Authority: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment • State/Region: Central Scheme (All India) • Last Audited: 09 Sep 2026
Quick AI Summary
A nationwide flagship programme to achieve universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in built environments, public transportation, and information and communication technology ecosystems.
Detailed Summary
Objective
Launched on 3 December 2015, the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) operates under the mandate of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. It targets the creation of barrier-free environments across three verticals: built environment, transportation systems, and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure.
Key Verticals
- Built Environment: Retrofitting of identified government buildings, hospitals, and public offices with ramps, tactile paths, accessible toilets, and lifts with Braille signage.
- Transportation: Making airports, railway stations, and bus terminals fully accessible through level boarding, audio-visual announcements, dedicated parking, and accessible ticket counters.
- ICT Ecosystem: Ensuring compliance of government websites and mobile applications with Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) and WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, including screen reader compatibility and captioning services.
Implementation Mechanism
Accessibility audits are conducted by empanelled auditors. State Governments and Union Territories submit proposals for retrofitting identified buildings. The Department releases funds for approved retrofitting works. A dedicated mobile application and portal facilitate crowdsourcing of accessibility barriers and monitoring of compliance status.
Key Benefits & Financial Assistance
| Comparison Criteria | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Key Benefits |
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Eligibility Criteria Profile
| Comparison Criteria | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Physical Disability | Required (PwD Only) |
| Domicile State | All India (Central Scheme) |
Application Process Guide
- Identification: Nodal Ministry/Department/State Government identifies buildings, transport nodes, or websites requiring accessibility intervention.
- Audit Request: Submit accessibility audit request through the Sugamya Bharat Portal (sugamyabharat.gov.in) or engage an empanelled access auditor.
- Audit & Report: Empanelled auditor conducts on-site/digital audit and submits detailed report with cost estimates for retrofitting.
- Proposal Submission: Administrative Ministry/State submits Detailed Project Report (DPR) with audit findings to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) for financial assistance (if applicable under scheme components).
- Sanction & Execution: Upon approval, funds are released; executing agency undertakes retrofitting works as per Harmonised Guidelines.
- Compliance Certification: Post-completion, a completion certificate and accessibility compliance certificate are uploaded on the portal for verification.
- Grievance Redressal: Citizens report accessibility barriers via the Sugamya Bharat Mobile App or portal; concerned authority is mandated for time-bound redressal.
Common FAQs regarding this Yojana
The campaign derives its mandate from the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act), which replaced the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. Sections 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, and 46 of the RPwD Act, 2016 specifically mandate accessibility in public buildings, transport, ICT, and services. The Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier-Free Built Environment for Persons with Disabilities and Elderly Persons (2016, revised 2021) issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs serve as the technical standard.
Accessibility audits must be conducted by Access Auditors empanelled by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). The list of empanelled auditors is available on the Sugamya Bharat Portal. Self-assessment by departments is not considered valid for scheme funding or statutory compliance certification.
The Accessible India Campaign originally provided Central assistance for retrofitting identified State Government buildings (up to 50% of cost subject to ceilings) during its initial phases (2015-2020). Current funding for retrofitting is primarily routed through the Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA) or the Accessible India Campaign component under the umbrella scheme 'Development of Rehabilitation Services'. State Governments must submit proposals under SIPDA guidelines for central share.
All Central Government websites and mobile applications must comply with the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) 3.0, which align with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. Compliance is monitored by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the National Informatics Centre (NIC). Non-compliant websites are liable for action under the RPwD Act, 2016.
Citizens can report barriers through the 'Sugamya Bharat' mobile application (available on Android and iOS) or the web portal (sugamyabharat.gov.in). The complaint is geo-tagged and forwarded to the concerned Nodal Officer of the respective Ministry, Department, Railway Zone, Airport Authority, or State Government for time-bound redressal. The status can be tracked by the complainant using a unique reference number.
Yes. Under Section 44 and 45 of the RPwD Act, 2016, all establishments (including private companies, educational institutions, hospitals, hotels, and commercial complexes) are legally required to comply with accessibility standards prescribed by the Central Government. The timelines for compliance were notified by the respective State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities. The Accessible India Campaign focuses on government infrastructure, but the statutory obligation extends universally.