Data: Literacy Among Disabled Persons Just Over 50%, Far Below National Average as per 76th Round of NSS Report
Across India, just a little over half—52.2% of people with disabilities aged 7 and above can read and write, according to data from the 76th round of the National Sample Survey. This is far below the national literacy rate of 80% for the general population.
In the first part of our series on disability in India, we explored the legal and constitutional frameworks in place, and mapped out how disability is distributed across states, regions, and between genders. Now, in this concluding part, we delve into the key social characteristics of India’s disabled population, drawing insights from the National Sample Survey (NSS) reports. As with the previous story, it is important to approach these findings with caution, as successive surveys have broadened the definition and scope of disability.
Literacy among Disabled Persons just over 50%, far below National Average
People with disabilities face many challenges, and these go far beyond just physical access. Deep-rooted biases, stereotypes, and misunderstandings often make things difficult. Whether it’s in schools, workplaces, hospitals, or public services, people with disabilities regularly face barriers that prevent them from being fully included in society.
Across India, just a little over half—52.2% of people with disabilities aged 7 and above can read and write, according to data from the 76th round of the National Sample Survey. This is far below the national literacy rate of 80% for the general population.
But this number (52.2%), while concerning, hides a deeper story of inequality. Some states have made meaningful progress, while the rest lags. Kerala, for instance, stands out with a remarkable 81% literacy rate among persons with disabilities. That’s nearly double the rate of Andhra Pradesh, which sits at the bottom with just 39%. Even among the large states, Kerala is far ahead—20 percentage points higher than Maharashtra (62%) and Gujarat (60%)—a gap that highlights how much targeted efforts and inclusive policies can matter.
But these numbers only tell part of the story. For many people with disabilities, the barriers to education are not just about disability itself—they’re shaped by caste, class, gender, geography, religion, among others. These overlapping identities create layers of disadvantage that make access to education even harder. The contrast is stark: in rural India, only 33% of disabled women are literate, while their urban counterparts fare slightly better at 56%. Among disabled men, the numbers are higher—57% in rural areas and 73% in urban settings—but the gender gap remains glaring. Overall, 62% of disabled men are literate, compared to just 40% of disabled women.
This reality persists despite years of efforts by successive governments to improve access to education for people with disabilities. Policies have been put in place, programs have been launched, and legal rights have been outlined — all aiming to create a more inclusive system. Yet, as the data shows, meaningful access remains uneven, and many are still left behind.
Only 1 in 5 Disabled Persons in India complete Secondary Education or higher.
For many persons with disabilities, progressing through the education system remains an uphill battle. While over half of the disabled population in India is literate, only a small fraction makes it beyond the basics. At the national level, less than 1 in 5 persons with disabilities complete secondary education — a stark reminder that literacy is only the first step, and many are unable to continue beyond primary school.
Even in Kerala, just 24% of disabled individuals complete secondary education, despite an overall disabled literacy rate of 82%. Maharashtra, with a lower literacy rate of 62%, sees about 26% reaching the secondary level — slightly ahead. Haryana (25%) and Gujarat (23%) follow closely. At the other end of the spectrum, Andhra Pradesh records the lowest share, with only 15% of disabled individuals making it to secondary education.
The gap widens further when we look at where people live and their gender. In rural areas, only 15% of persons with disabilities make it to secondary education, compared to 31% in urban areas. The divide is just as stark between men and women — while 24% of disabled men complete secondary education, only 13% of women do. The differences get even sharper with region. In rural India, only 24% of disabled males finish secondary school, but in urban areas, that figure jumps to 42%. Among disabled females, just 17% in rural areas complete secondary education, compared to 27% in urban ones. These figures show that the barriers are not built just by disability, but also by geography and gender.
Nearly 3 in 4 lost or changed jobs after becoming disabled
People with disabilities face multiple challenges when it comes to both entering and staying in the workforce. The barriers begin early — from limited chances to gain work experience to the sudden disruption that often follows the onset of a disability.
According to the 76th round of the National Sample Survey, nearly three out of every four individuals who were working before becoming disabled either lost their job or had to switch to a different kind of work afterward. In rural areas, 39% of persons with disabilities aged 15 and above had been employed before acquiring a disability. Of them, 58% lost their jobs entirely, and another 16% had to take up different work. The picture is slightly better in urban India, where 32% were employed before their disability. Among these, 55% faced job loss and 15% had to shift roles.
The relatively lower impact in cities could be due to better infrastructure, more diverse job opportunities, and greater awareness among employers. But even with these advantages, the odds remain stacked against many.
What’s striking is that nearly 70% of persons with disabilities in India did not have a disability at birth. About half acquired it between the ages of 15 and 59 — typically the most productive working years — followed by 30% at 60 years and above, and 14% between 0–4 years of age.
These numbers tell a deeper story: for most people, becoming disabled changes not just their bodies, but their livelihoods too.
UDID Cards: A gateway to government schemes and benefits, but not everyone has one yet
According to the 2011 Census, India had 2.68 crore persons with disabilities, accounting for 2.21% of the total population — roughly 1.5 crore men and 1.18 crore women. But this data is over 14 years old and doesn’t reflect the broader definition of disability introduced under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
To build a more updated and inclusive record, the government launched the Unique Disability Identification (UDID) project. The goal is to create a national digital database and issue a UDID card to every person with disability. This card acts as official proof of disability and is essential for accessing a range of government schemes — from healthcare and education to financial aid, rehabilitation, and employment. Since June 2021, all disability certificates must be issued online through the UDID portal, helping states streamline delivery of benefits while ensuring transparency and uniformity.
As of 9 April 2025, the UDID portal shows that around 1.2 crore cards have been issued. Uttar Pradesh leads with nearly 15 lakh cards, followed by Maharashtra (12.5 lakh) and Andhra Pradesh (9.5 lakh). Notably, over 1.06 crore cards were issued just since 2019–20, according to a Parliamentary response dated 26 March 2025.
However, the significant gap between the number of disabled persons reported in the Census and the number of UDID cards should not be misread. During the 2011 Census, the now-repealed PwD Act, 1995 was in effect, under which only those with 40% or more disability were eligible for certification. In contrast, the Census relied on household surveys, which may have included people with lesser degrees of disability. This, along with the fact that a certificate is issued only if one applies for it, explains the difference, as per the Ministry’s response to the Parliamentary Panel.
Moreover, the UDID project currently has no defined physical targets, making it hard to assess what share of the disabled population has actually received a card. The Parliamentary panel has urged the Ministry to adopt a structured, time-bound approach to expand access and ensure that no eligible person is left out.