New Delhi: Marking the 5th Anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Government of India organized an ambitious nationwide week-long campaign of Mega Assessment and Distribution Camps for Children with Special Needs (CwSN). The initiative, conducted under the Inclusive Education (IE) component of Samagra Shiksha, ran from 29th July 2025 and coincided with the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) 2025 celebrations.
The drive aimed to strengthen equity, inclusion, and accessibility in school education, ensuring early identification, medical assessment, and distribution of assistive devices to empower CwSN — especially in rural and remote areas — in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
The Inclusive Education Mandate
The NEP 2020 emphasizes that no child should be left behind in education due to disability or special needs. Under Samagra Shiksha’s Inclusive Education component:
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Full inclusion is promoted from pre-school to Class XII.
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Early identification and assessment support are prioritized.
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States/UTs are encouraged to organize up to four camps per block each year with financial assistance of up to ₹10,000/- per camp.
ADIP–Samagra Shiksha Convergence
A key enabler for this nationwide drive is the convergence with the Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP) Scheme of the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD):
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Funding Pattern: 60% DEPwD and 40% Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL).
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Execution: Distribution of aids and appliances through Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO).
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Coordination: State/UT SSA Authorities partner with ALIMCO and medical teams for local delivery.
Mega Camp Activities
The campaign was structured into three categories:
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Screening & Identification — Mapping and listing children with disabilities.
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Medical Assessment — Including assessments for Unique Disability ID (UDID) certification.
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Assistive Device Assessment & Distribution — Providing customized aids like hearing aids, wheelchairs, Braille kits, and prosthetics.
Key Achievements
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Children Covered | 1,58,669 |
| Assistive Devices Distributed | 28,837 |
| Districts Covered | 669 |
| Blocks Covered | 4,884 |
| Professionals Deployed | 7,282 |
State-wise Highlights
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Maharashtra: Highest outreach — 50,905 children covered, 3,187 received devices; 286 districts, 2,758 professionals engaged.
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Uttar Pradesh: 25,737 children covered.
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Bihar: 17,570 children covered.
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Puducherry: 4,229 children assessed, 548 given devices.
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Meghalaya: 6,041 assessed, 191 given devices.
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Himachal Pradesh & Sikkim: Focused on specialist deployment (psychiatrists, audiologists, special educators).
Despite challenging monsoon conditions and difficult terrain, States and UTs ensured a well-coordinated, large-scale intervention.
Stakeholder and Community Involvement- NEP
The mega drive witnessed collaborative efforts from:
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Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) medical teams
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District Health Departments
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Panchayati Raj institutions
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ALIMCO technical teams
Parents, guardians, and grassroots education functionaries participated actively. Mobilization was supported by school websites, notice boards, social media outreach, and local newspapers to build awareness.
Conclusion
The Nationwide Mega Assessment and Distribution Camps for CwSN under Samagra Shiksha represent a landmark in inclusive policy implementation. By ensuring early identification, medical support, and delivery of assistive devices at the child’s doorstep — even in remote regions — the government has reaffirmed its NEP 2020 vision of equal educational opportunity for all.
This campaign is not just a commemoration of NEP’s successful five years, but a functional example of policy translated into real, life-changing action for some of India’s most vulnerable learners.
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Source: PIB
