மாற்றுத் திறனாளிகள் நலத் துறை

The RPwD Act 2016 replaced the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. Know both names.

The Act gives effect to India's commitments under the UNCRPD - a treaty obligation translated into domestic law.

Enacted 2016, brought into force 19.04.2017. Exam questions often test the gap between enactment and commencement.

The RPwD Act 2016 recognises 21 categories of disability, against 7 under the 1995 Act.

Three blood disorders - Haemophilia, Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease - are numbers 19, 20 and 21 in the list. Acid Attack Victims and Dwarfism are the other additions worth remembering.

Section 101 carries the rule-making power; the Tamil Nadu Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2018 were notified under it.

Section 66 - State Advisory Board on Disability, which advises Government on policy.

Section 72 - District-Level Committees, which monitor implementation of the Act at district level.

Section 79(1) - State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities; Section 79(7) provides the five-member Advisory Committee that assists the Commissioner.

Section 84 - Principal District Courts designated as Special Courts for offences under the Act. Section 85 - Special Public Prosecutors to conduct those cases.

Section 32 - five percent reservation in admissions in all Government and Government-aided higher educational institutions, with five years' relaxation in the upper age limit.

Section 34 - four percent reservation in employment in Government Departments and PSUs, for persons with benchmark disabilities. Section 34(1) is the operative clause.

An Expert Committee identified particular Group A and Group B posts as suitable, but all posts in Group C and Group D are treated as suitable.

A State Fund of Rs.10.00 crore supports implementation of the Act's objectives.

The National Trust Act 1999 covers four disabilities specifically - Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability and Multiple Disabilities.

Local Level Committees under the National Trust Act are chaired by the District Collector and issue guardianship certificates - the Act's distinctive mechanism.

Administrative structure: the Commissionerate for Welfare of the Differently Abled at State level and 39 District Offices headed by District Differently Abled Welfare Officers.

Over 800 voluntary organisations deliver services in partnership with Government - this department works largely through NGOs rather than its own establishments.

Section 50 - registration of voluntary organisations by the Commissioner. 878 organisations stand registered.

878 organisations registered under Section 50 of the RPwD Act 2016.

UDID cards are issued through the swavlambancard.gov.in portal, building a National Database of Differently Abled Persons.

As on 31.03.2026, 10,31,873 UDID cards had been issued in Tamil Nadu. Cards are delivered to the beneficiary's residence.

A medical board headed by the Chief Medical Officer, with specialists for the relevant disability, certifies before a UDID card is generated.

Early Intervention Centres cover children from birth to six years - the window in which developmental disability can be treated or minimised.