Inclusive, equitable education central to vision of Viksit Bharat: Pradhan

New Delhi, Jan 21: Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, Wednesday inaugurated the 3-day Inclusive Education Summit 2026, organized by the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, from January 21 to 23, 2026, in New Delhi.
On the occasion, he also inaugurated the Exhibition, which is displaying the latest technology-enabled assistive devices for Children with Special Needs (CwSN).
Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL; Shri Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, NCERT; Dr. Mallika Nadda, Chairperson, Special Olympics Bharat and senior officials from the Ministry of Education, NCERT, national institutions, and other stakeholders were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan stated that the Inclusive Education Summit has been organised with the objective of reinforcing the national commitment to inclusive education. He emphasised that inclusive education is not confined to any single scheme but represented a collective resolve to ensure dignity, equal opportunity, and a self-reliant future for every child.
Reiterating the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’, he underlined that the foundation of a Viksit Bharat can be laid through education that is equitable, sensitive, and inclusive. He noted that the expansion of disability categories from six to twenty-one reflects this inclusive approach.
He further highlighted the importance of early identification of learning challenges such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, and stressed that inclusive education is not the responsibility of schools or families alone, but a shared responsibility of society as a whole. He added that this collective approach, rooted in equal opportunity, dignity, and participation, will pave the way towards achieving a Viksit Bharat.
The Union Minister walked through the exhibition showcasing assistive products, solutions, and smart technologies at the Inclusive Education Summit. He expressed appreciation for the innovative and world-class solutions developed by Indian start-ups to make education more inclusive and to address the diverse needs of Children with Special Needs (CwSN) and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
He emphasised that ensuring dignity, accessibility, and equal opportunities for the Divyang population is a collective responsibility. He also underlined the need for continued efforts through enabling laws, accessible infrastructure, inclusive policies, and sustained innovation to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat.
While addressing, Sanjay Kumar said that the National Education Policy 2020 envisages an inclusive education system that ensures no child is out of school, with a clear goal of achieving 100 per cent gross enrolment at the secondary level by 2030. He emphasised that inclusion goes beyond access, and that every child who enters the education system must experience meaningful learning outcomes, feel safe, develop socially, and be supported through early identification and timely intervention for any specific learning disabilities , particularly during the foundational years, adding that this vision can be realised only through a whole-of-society and government approach. Empathy for all must be inculcated in all our children and teachers so we are sensitive to different needs of all.
The Summit aims to strengthen policies, practices, and innovations for inclusive education for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. Conceptualised as a collective platform for reflection and learning, the Summit brings together policymakers, national institutions, States and Union Territories, education boards, experts, civil society organisations, start-ups, and industry partners to share best practices, showcase innovations, and chart future pathways for inclusive education in India.
The context setting for the Summit was done by A. Srija, Economic Advisor, Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL). She outlined that the Summit brings together stakeholders to strengthen collective efforts towards building an education system that works for every child and addresses the continuum of inclusive education from early identification and learning to participation, skills, and livelihoods. It also covered discussions with school boards on inclusive assessment and examination accommodations, as well as deliberations on skill development and employment pathways for Children with Special Needs (CwSN). (PIB)