Lok Sabha Question No. 2037 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Data Collection for Persons with Disabilities
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Rani Srikumar

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2037 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 th DECEMBER, 2024

## DATACOLLECTION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

## 2037: DR. RANI SRIKUMAR:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the disparity in estimates between Census 2011, identifying the disabled population at 2.21%, and National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) which estimates it at 1%, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has any plan to include all persons with 21+ recognized disabilities in its national health surveys, research studies and reports in compliance with Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor alongwith the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure comprehensive data collection for persons with disabilities?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

- (a) to (d): The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) relies on Census 2011 for data on the population of persons with disabilities in the country. According to the Census 2011, in India, out of 121 Cr population, there are an estimated 2.68 Cr persons with disabilities, which is 2.21% of the total population.

As per the Census 2011, the details of disabled population by type of disability are as under:

| Category wise Number of Persons with Disabilities   | Category wise Number of Persons with Disabilities   |
|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| Type of Disability                                  | Persons                                             |
| Total number of disabled persons                    | 2,68,14,994                                         |
| In seeing                                           | 50,33,431                                           |
| In Hearing                                          | 50,72,914                                           |
| In Speech                                           | 19,98,692                                           |
| In Movement                                         | 54,36,826                                           |

| Category wise Number of Persons with Disabilities   | Category wise Number of Persons with Disabilities   |
|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| Type of Disability                                  | Persons                                             |
| Mental Retardation                                  | 15,05,964                                           |
| Mental Illness                                      | 7,22,880                                            |
| Any Other                                           | 49,27,589                                           |
| Multiple Disability                                 | 21,16,698                                           |

The primary focus of National Family Health Survey (NFHS), which is an integrated survey conducted by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is maternal and child health and other associated domains.

As per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016, there are 21 specified disabilities. The DEPwD has launched the Unique Disability ID (UDID) sub-scheme with a view of creating a National Database for Persons with Disabilities across the country. Under the UDID project, certificates of disability and Unique Disability Identity cards are issued to Persons with Disabilities through competent medical authorities notified by respective State Governments/Union Territories. The project aims to encourage transparency, and efficiency in the system of delivering government benefits to persons with disabilities. As per the available record, almost 1.15 crore UDID card has been issued since the launch of the project. The UDID database can be used as a reliable platform to ascertain the estimate of PwD population in the Country in due course.

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