Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today inaugurated the three-day Inclusive Education Summit 2026, organised by the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, at New Delhi.
The Union Minister also launched an exhibition showcasing cutting-edge assistive devices and technology-enabled solutions developed for Children with Special Needs (CwSN).
Addressing the gathering, Pradhan described inclusive education as a national commitment that goes beyond any single scheme. “It is a collective resolve to ensure dignity, equal opportunity and a self-reliant future for every child,” he said, linking it directly to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’. He stressed that a truly Viksit Bharat can only be built on an education system that is equitable, sensitive and inclusive.
The Union Minister highlighted the government’s expansion of recognised disability categories from six to twenty-one and called for early identification of learning challenges such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. “Inclusive education is not the responsibility of schools or families alone; it is a shared responsibility of society as a whole,” he added.
Pradhan toured the exhibition and praised Indian start-ups for developing world-class assistive products and smart technologies tailored to the diverse needs of CwSN and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). He reiterated that ensuring dignity, accessibility, and equal opportunities for the Divyang population requires sustained innovation, enabling laws, accessible infrastructure and inclusive policies.
Secretary, DoSEL, Sanjay Kuma,r emphasised that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions a fully inclusive system with 100% gross enrolment at the secondary level by 2030. “Inclusion means more than access—every child must experience meaningful learning, feel safe and be supported through early identification and timely intervention,” he said, calling for empathy to be inculcated in students and teachers alike.
The Summit, running from January 21–23, 2026, brings together policymakers, national institutions, States/UTs, education boards, experts, civil society, start-ups and industry partners to strengthen policies and practices in line with NEP 2020 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
Day-wise focus areas:
- Day 1: Leveraging digital technology and assistive devices
- Day 2: National models, tools and teacher training (including PRASHAST 2.0, resource rooms and inclusive sports)
- Day 3: Specific Learning Disabilities, neurodiversity and education-to-employment pathways
The event aims to promote assistive technologies, build teacher capacity, foster inter-sectoral collaboration and chart future directions for inclusive education in India.
